LAL Torbay Excursions (2)
Dartington Hall & Gardens
The short journey via Totnes brings us to the beautiful Dartington Hall and Gardens. Originally built as a mediaeval playground where local jousting tournaments may have been held to entertain the local rich and noble folk, it was eventually transformed into a college of fine art by Leonard & Dorothy Elmhirst in the early part of the last century. Today the college has around 400 students, studying many different forms of art, culture and music.
Your Guide will escort you around the extensive grounds and gardens plus parts of the original hall. They will point out the many varieties of trees, flowers and plant life along with the arena which may once have hosted jousting tournaments.
After this we will move on to the Dartington Cider Press Centre on the outskirts of the grounds for a look around the various craft shops, including the famous Dartington Crystal shop, before our short journey home to Torbay.
Dartmouth & Kingswear
A trip to the beautiful town of Dartmouth, which is situated at the mouth of the River Dart. We will travel to the town of Kingswear and across the river by ferry, (price excluded), enjoying splendid views down the River to the sea and castle, and in the other direction the quay and the Britannia Royal Naval College.
On arrival in Dartmouth our Guide will take us on a walk of the town, which will include Bayard's cove to explain the Pilgrim Fathers connection, the 16th Century fort, the Butterwalk and the Royal Avenue Gardens. After some free time to explore we will re-join our Guide to catch the ferry back to Kingswear and return to Paignton.
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor is a wild area of Devon which is famous for its landscape and heritage. Heather-covered moor, tree-filled valleys, waterfalls, a patchwork of fields and huge rock tors surround market towns and villages. Nearly half of Dartmoor's 368 square miles (942 square km) is open moorland, home to a unique breed of horse. There are more archaeological sites, including standing stones, ancient settlements and tombs, than anywhere else in northern Europe. You can also find more modern features hidden under rocks in the form of 'letterboxes', which have visitors' books to sign and stamps to collect.
LAL runs several tours, from full-day trips to half-day tasters, all year round and a popular evening tour in the summer. Please wear stout, comfortable shoes for these tours.
Find out more about Dartmoor on the internet...
The Dartmoor National Park Authority's web site...
Virtual tours of Dartmoor on the internet...
Dartmoor Highlights (Full day)
Visit such places as Princetown, which is the largest Town on the moor and one of the highest areas above sea level. It is also home to the notorious Dartmoor Prison and has the main visitors' centre. Other highlights will include Buckfast Abbey, notably one of England's finest Benedictine abbeys and situated right on the edge of the moor, the famous clapper bridge, Dartmeet, where the East and West Dart rivers join. We will also visit the Western tip of the moor with some spectacular views across to Cornwall, Haytor and Hound Tor and the picturesque village of Widecombe in the Moor. There will also be a chance for a walk on the moor during the day.
Dartmoor By Dusk/Night (Evening - summer only)
A trip to Dartmoor in the evening will give you a different perspective of the National Park. Your Guide will take you on a leisurely drive on to the moor and then head up to Haytor Vale and Haytor Rock where we will park the bus and walk up to the top. From here you will enjoy some panoramic views of the illuminated coastline and landscape, along with parts of Torbay. We will then hear a few ghost stories including the true story of Kitty Jay at the side of her grave, deep in the heart of Dartmoor. We will finish of the evening in a traditional local pub before returning around midnight to Torbay.
Dartmoor Taster (Half day)
Visit the huge rock formations at Hay Tor for a short walk to the top, enjoying some spectacular views across the moor and towards the sea. We will then continue to Hound Tor and on to the infamous grave of Kitty Jay where your Guide will tell the sad and spooky story of Kitty. We will finish in the village of Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor's most famous and picturesque village, then head back to Torbay across the moor.
Exeter
A visit to Exeter, the capital of Devon, is a trip that should not be missed. This beautiful city is steeped in history that dates back to the Roman times when it became the furthest Roman settlement in the West of England. It also boasts one of the finest Cathedrals in England, St Peter's, which was built in the 11th Century and completed in the 16th Century.
Your Guide will take you on an historic walk around the centre pointing out highlights such as Sir Francis Drake's favourite Inn, the narrowest street in the world, the old Guildhall and Court House, Rougemont Castle and Gardens and some of England's finest Tudor Architecture. We will also tell you why Exeter was one of the healthiest cities in England to live in mediaeval times.
After this there will be time to sample the large variety of shops in the city centre before our 50-minute drive back to Torbay.
Exmoor National Park
A tour to Exmoor National Park combines the natural beauty of the landscape with some spectacular views across the Bristol Channel and the Welsh Coastline.
Our journey will begin with a drive towards the North of Devon and then up through the picturesque Tavy Valley and onto the Moor. We will then make a short break in the town of Dulverton, which is home to the main visitors' centre on Exmoor.
After this we head across the moor to the seaside towns of Lynton and Lynmouth and the chance for a spectacular coast walk from the Valley of the Rocks.
After lunch and some time for exploring we head further along the Exmoor coastline to enjoy some spectacular views, with various stops for photographs, before we travel down one of the steepest hills in the south west, Porlock Hill. After a brief stop to hear the tale of Lorna Doon we will then move on to the village of Dunster where you can see one of the finest preserved Castles in the South West. On leaving Dunster, we will head back to Torbay via the County Town of Somerset, Taunton.
