Sustainable travel across Dartmoor National Trust
Have a day out without your car and visit one of the special places we look after around Dartmoor, using sustainable transport.
Getting to us by bus
Castle Drogo
Services between Exeter and Chagford drop off at the bottom of the drive at Castle Drogo, which is an 800 yard walk uphill to the Visitor Centre. We have a buggy service that is scheduled to meet the bus at the bottom of the drive during opening hours and take you to or from the visitor centre. Please note the buggy service is dependent on volunteers and does not run every day.
Stagecoach bus 173 from Exeter City Centre, Bus station Stand 1. This bus operates Monday to Saturday and takes roughly 1 hour.
Lydford Gorge
Services between Okehampton (including train station) and Tavistock stop at both entrances to Lydford Gorge.
Stagecoach 118. Alight at Lydford Gorge main entrance for Devil's Cauldron entrance and at Lydford Gorge lower entrance for the Waterfall entrance.
Finch Foundry
Services between Okehampton (including train station) and Exeter or Newton Abbot.
Stagecoach SW service number 6A and Country Bus service number 178. Alight at Sticklepath, Devonshire Inn. Finch Foundry is a 1 minute walk away.
Parke
Stagecoach bus 38 from Exeter or bus 39 from Newton Abbot. Stop at the Dolphin Inn in Bovey Tracey then walk 10 minutes along level ground to the Parke estate. Country Bus 193 runs between Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot via Hay Tor Wednesday and Friday (except Public Holidays).
Buckland Abbey
Services from Tavistock, via Yelverton roundabout, drop off at the gates of Buckland Abbey, which is a 500 yard walk down to visitor welcome.
Plymouth citybus 55 operates Monday to Saturday.
Shaugh Bridge
Services from from Plymouth, alight at Shaugh Bridge for walks through ancient woodland and on to Dartmoor.
Plymouth citybus 59 operates Monday to Saturday.
Nearby railway stations
Castle Drogo
Nearest train stations Yeoford, 8 miles, and Okehampton, 12.3 miles.
Lydford Gorge
Nearest train station Okehampton, 10 miles.
Finch Foundry
Nearest train station Okehampton, 4 miles.
Parke
Nearest train station Newton Abbot, 6 miles.
Buckland Abbey
Nearest train station Plymouth, 11 miles.
Shaugh Bridge
Nearest train station Plymouth, 9 miles.
Cycle routes
Castle Drogo
The nearest cycle route is number 28 of the National Cycle Network (NCN28), which is part of the long distance cycling route, the Dartmoor Way.
There are is cycle parking on site. Bike racks are located near the outside seating area for the café.
To get to Castle Drogo going northbound from moretonhampstead on NCN28, you need to go straight on instead of left at the junction to Great Weeke to reach the A382, then turn right at the Sandy Park in and follow the road until you reach the bottom of the drive to Castle Drogo.
To reach Castle Drogo going southbound from Chagford on NCN28, you need to turn left when you reach Chagford village square and follow the B3206 to Easton Cross. At Easton Cross turn left onto the A382 and follow that road until you reach the Sandy Park inn. At the Sandy Park inn junction, turn right and follow the road until you reach the bottom of the Castle Drogo drive.
Please note: These roads are narrow and shared with heavy traffic.
You can use CycleStreets to plan your journey by following the link here: CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner
Finch Foundry
Is on the number 28 route (NCN28).
Plan your journey with CycleStreets here: CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner
Parke
NCN28 runs through the Parke estate.
To reach the entrance of Parke going Northbound from Bovey Tracey on NCN28, turn left at Station Road instead of right and continue straight over the roundabout. The entrance is the next turning on your right.
To get to the entrance of Parke going southbound from Bovey Tracey, go straight on at Station Road until you reach the roundabout. Go straight across the roundabout and it's
Plan your journey with CycleStreets here: CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner
Lydford Gorge
Both entrances to Lydford Gorge are on route number 27 of the National Cycle Network (NCN27).
There is bike parking available. Bike racks are to the right of each visitor welcome area.
Plan your journey to the Devil's Cauldron entrance on CycleStreets here: CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner
Plan your journey to the Waterfall entrance here: CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner
Buckland Abbey
Is on route 27 as well (NCN27), Drake's Trail is within 2 miles.
Plan your journey here: CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner
Shaugh Bridge
Is on NCN27, leave the route at Shaugh Station platform and follow the road north to Shaugh Bridge.
You might also be interested in
Castle Drogo
Where dramatic architecture meets innovative family home. A 20th century castle overlooking the Teign Gorge.
Lydford Gorge
The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall
Finch Foundry
The last working water-powered forge in England
Parke
A peaceful retreat set within the beautiful Devon countryside
Buckland Abbey
Discovery, tranquillity and history – an ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape
Shaugh Bridge
Ancient oakwoods and mossy boulders cloak the Plym Valley; riverside walks pass the atmospheric Dewerstone Rocks and industrial ruins.
Places you can visit in Devon without a car
Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train, bike or foot, there are many places that we care for in Devon that you can visit without a car. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your a car-free day out.
