Tucked away on the edge of Dartmoor, Gidleigh Park is made for spending your days roaming wild moorland trails, discovering pretty Devon villages and breathing in that fresh countryside calm this Spring.
At Gidleigh Park, ordinary moments become memorable through events that reflect Dartmoor’s changing character and the hotel’s sense of refined hospitality.
Grab your best boots and let us guide you through the magnificent landscape surrounding our property. Our nature walks are perfect for all ages, whether it’s a sunrise or sunset, we guarantee a moment of discovery, lots of learning and the finest vistas of Mother Nature
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALK or GUIDED PRE-BOOKED WALKS
Gidleigh Park’s internationally renowned wine cellar accommodates over 1,300 bins and 13,000 bottles from around the world. Embark on a journey with us as we venture into the depths of our cellar, where you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in a curated selection of four wines. Our expert will guide you through tasting notes and optimal food pairings, ensuring a memorable experience that tantalises both palate and senses.
Just 30 minutes from Gidleigh Park, visit the studio of award-winning sculptor Andrew Sinclair, whose career includes commissions for royalty and international collectors. Guests can enjoy a relaxed studio tour, a half-day clay workshop sculpting an eye or ear, or an immersive full-day figurative sculpture experience with Andrew’s personal guidance. The full-day session includes studio time, tools, a sculpture to take home, a signed book by the artist and a sculpting starter kit.
Gidleigh Park is set in the northern reaches of beautiful Dartmoor, surrounded by a wealth of unique and wonderful places to explore. To help you make the most of your stay, we have compiled a selection of activity ideas and local highlights right on our doorstep.
Dartmoor is a true paradise for walkers, offering an impressive variety of trails suitable for all abilities. Exploring this magical landscape on foot provides the perfect opportunity to experience its breathtaking scenery, observe local wildlife, and discover the rich natural vegetation that calls Dartmoor home.
CHAGFORD 45 minutes, walking
The local ancient stannary town is a 45 minute walk or around a two mile drive from the hotel. It enjoys a range of boutique, gift and clothes shops not to mention two of the best hardware stores to be found in the area. www.visitchagford.com
EXETER 40 minutes
The historical city of Exeter was the most south westerly Roman fortified settlement in Britain. With a stunning cathedral founded in 1050, the city centre is full of character and ancient history yet with all the amenities that would be expected of a modern day city. www.visitexeter.com
TOTNES 60 minutes
A reputation for having an alternative vibe, with organic, ethical and fair trade the norm, not the exception. It’s the home of the Transition Town movement and is proud to be a little different. www.visittotnes.co.uk
CLOVELLY North Devon – 90 minutes
Built into a 400 feet high cliff this is a world famous fishing village with a picturesque cobbled traffic – free high street, whitewashed cottages and a tiny working port. It is famous for its donkeys, which traditionally carried goods up and down the cobbled street. www.clovelly.co.uk
BRIXHAM
75 minutes
Life in the busy fishing town of Brixham has always centred around the harbour, where yachts and heritage trawlers jostle for space with dayboats heading out to sea for the day’s catch. There’s plenty to see and do here, whether you’re looking for a romantic trip or family-friendly day out, and the fun starts at sea! www.visitbrixham.com
CASTLE DROGO 20 minutes
A National Trust property and one of the last great homes to be built in England, this unique 20th century ‘mock’ castle sits above the Teign Gorge with stunning views over the wild beauty of Dartmoor. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo
BRADLEY 45 minutes
A delightful medieval manor house, set in woodland and meadows. Catch a glimpse of medieval history in the house; from original ceilings to medieval cat holes. Bradley is still a family home, and you get a real sense of that as you explore the house. You may even see a member of the donor family room guiding or welcoming you to the car park. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bradley
POWDERHAM CASTLE 45 minutes
Is located in a unique, picturesque setting just outside Exeter, beside the Exe estuary. Six hundred years of history are contained within the walls of one of England’s oldest family homes. www.powderham.co.uk
BUCKFAST ABBEY 50 minutes
Nestled in a tranquil haven on the edge of Dartmoor and along the banks of the River Dart, Buckfast Abbey – the only English medieval monastery to have been restored and used again for its original purpose – offers all the ingredients for a great trip whether visiting the area on holiday or just looking for an inspiring day out. Founded in 1018, the Abbey will celebrate its millennium in 2018. www.buckfast.org.uk
TINTAGEL CASTLE 75 minutes
With its spectacular location on Cornwall’s dramatic and windswept Atlantic coastline, Tintagel is a place of magic and myth where the legend of King Arthur was born. www.english-heritage.org.uk/tintagel-castle
STONE LANE GARDENS 20 minutes
Stone Lane gardens, located in our village Chagford, is a 5 acre arboretum holding important National Collections of wild origin Birch and Alder trees in a lovely landscaped water and woodland setting. Sculpture exhibitions feature heavily in and around the gardens. www.stonelanegardens.com
BICTON PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS 50 minutes
Bicton Park has a lovely 50 acre garden in close proximity to the sea. The gardens date from 1874 and include an Italian garden, an American and stream garden, and a delightful Mediterranean and Rose garden. Bicton has long been famed for its magnificent trees, over 1000 of them, representing 300 species, many of which are endangered. The delightful beach of Budleigh Salterton is also close at hand. www.bictongardens.co.uk
DARTINGTON HALL 60 minutes
A truly wonderful landscape garden most of which has been created in the last 100 years. A woodland garden with rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias have been planted round a series of clever terraces on the steep hill side. There are magnificent trees, a Japanese garden and a series of woodland glades. www.dartington.org
KILLERTON HOUSE 55 minutes
Located in the fine 18th-century house known for its large costume collection, this delightful hillside garden and estate offers stunning parkland all year round. The garden sits on a south facing slope with far reaching views towards Dartmoor and the Exe Estuary. It features a vast array of interest throughout the seasons including magnificent rhododendrons and magnolias, stunning herbaceous boarders and a collection of rare trees. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
RHS ROSEMOOR GARDENS 60 minutes
An enchanting 65 acre garden, Rosemoor is a garden of intoxicating beauty, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
NESS COVE, SHALDON 60 minutes
A secluded, rugged beach backed by dramatic red cliffs and accessed via an original smugglers tunnel. Children will love it. www.shaldon-devon.co.uk/Shaldon-beaches
This beach is long and sandy with water shallow enough for children to swim safely, and lively enough for water sports enthusiasts further out as wetsuits outnumber bikinis on south Devon’s only surf beach. East Portlemouth – Perfect for people wanting to enjoy a day of peace and quiet this sandy beach is situated on the estuary opposite Salcombe. www.banthamestate.co.uk
SOUTH MILTON SANDS 90 minutes
A beautiful beach for a traditional holiday, ideal for rock pooling and beachcombing, it’s also the perfect location for snorkelling, scuba diving and windsurfing. Seal and dolphins are regular visitors to the shore. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/south-milton-sands
WOOLACOMBE 90 minutes
An epic, three-mile swathe of sand, which has oodles of space for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers – as well as a Blue Flag. www.woolacombetourism.co.uk
PAIGNTON ZOO 60 minutes
With more animals than anyone else in the South West, you’re in for a really wild day out in Devon for all the family!With over two thousand creatures to get close to, indoor and outdoor play areas, the Jungle Express train, keeper talks, animal feeding sessions and six amazing animal habitats. www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
THE HOUSE OF MARBLES 35 minutes
Located near the town of Bovey Tracey, the House of Marbles is a working glass and games factory set in a historic pottery. The factory offers fun and games with a restaurant providing light snacks. Beware, however that the restaurant is also a toy shop! www.houseofmarbles.com
BECKY FALLS 45 minutes
Located on Dartmoor, Bovey Tracey, You will have the opportunity to see cascading waterfalls and explore the 60 acre woodland estate with river walks. There is also a pet garden, nature trail, tea room, ice-cream parlour, gift shop and restaurant. www.beckyfalls.com
PENNYWELL FARM 50 minutes
A family-run children’s petting farm, providing a real treat for the children with a good programme of daily interactive events including owl, eagle and birds of prey displays. www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
OTTERS & BUTTERFLIES 45 minutes
Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary offers a great, enjoyable, otter and butterfly educational experience. You can wander around the otter sanctuary and butterfly farm and see new butterflies emerge in tropical surroundings. You will also have the opportunity to view the otters swimming underwater and to follow the otter keeper at feeding times. The Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary is an all weather attraction. www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk
Our Offers & Packages
Up to 20% off your Spring Staycation
Spring Staycation
Retreat to Gidleigh Park and enjoy up to 20% off, plus a culinary credit.
