Dartmoor

Tranquillity and history meet at this ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape, with gardens, meadows, orchards and woodlands to explore. Follow over 700 years of footsteps; from the Cistercians who built the Abbey, to seafarers Grenville and Drake who changed the shape of the house and the fate of the country.

High above the ancient woodlands of the Teign Gorge stands Castle Drogo. Inspired by the rugged Dartmoor tors that surround it, the castle was designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The garden is colourful in all seasons, and there are miles of pathways to explore in the Teign Gorge.

Home to the last set of working Victorian water-powered forge tools in England, Finch Foundry is the doorway to Dartmoor's industrial past with a lovely garden. Get an insight into the life of workers in the 19th century and learn about the enterprising Finch family.

The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall, Lydford Gorge gorge is filled with wildlife, plants and trees that enchant the senses.

A peaceful retreat set within the beautiful Devon countryside near Bovey Tracey, Parke is open with no need to book to visit. Take a short stroll around the garden, or a longer more strenuous walk through the woodlands and along the river to the medieval weir.

Here's a selection of our some of our favourite walks in Devon. Soak up the views from Devon's rolling hills and rugged coast, take shorter walks in parks and gardens or circular walks on Dartmoor or Exmoor.

See the full list places we care for in the South West by county.

Whether you’re looking for fuel to kick-start a ramble on the coast, or are returning from a gentle stroll in the woods, you’ll find these kiosks, cafés and tea-rooms are great places to stop for a treat. What's more, every visit you make and piece of cake you buy helps us carry on looking after special places for everyone to enjoy, for ever.

Some of the places we care for in the South West need to be booked in advance, with several offering guided tours or introductory talks. Read on to find out more.

Thanks to supporters like you, second-hand bookshops at the places we care for usually take thousands of pounds annually, and every penny is invested to keep the property special for everyone, for ever. Read on to find out about the bookshops which help to raise funds to support vital conservation work, and the different bookshops you can visit.