Real, curated ideas for Bovey Tracey — the gateway to Dartmoor, ancient woodland, waterfalls and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Bovey Tracey calls itself the Gateway to the Moor and it has earned the name — it sits on the eastern edge of Dartmoor with Haytor twenty minutes up the road, and it is the obvious base for anyone doing the moor without staying on it.
This is different country to the rest of this guide. Instead of beaches you get ancient oak woodland, granite tors, waterfalls and rivers, and the walking here works in weather that would ruin a coastal day — the tree cover at Yarner Wood and Parke keeps the worst of it off.
For families the two paid attractions are Becky Falls, a woodland park with a waterfall walk and a small collection of animals, and Canonteign Falls, which has England's highest man-made waterfall. Both involve steep, uneven paths. The free option is East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve, which is superb and costs nothing.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Yarner Wood and the surrounding heath — ancient woodland, grassy glades, a river with a hide, and ponies on the heathland above. Four car parks let you build your own loop. Quiet enough that you can walk for two hours midweek without meeting anyone. Some steep hills.
England's highest upland oak wood and one of the last temperate rainforests — stunted, twisted oaks smothered in rare mosses and lichens. Access is restricted to the woodland edge to protect it, the ground is rocky and unmarked, and parking is a fair walk away. Unlike anywhere else in Devon.
Forest and river on the high moor, with wild ponies, marked trails, a clear river shallow enough for children to paddle and swim in, toilets and a coffee trailer. Parking is £3 for two hours or £5 all day. Best late afternoon when the crowds have gone.
The moor itself — 368 square miles of tors, wild ponies, prehistoric remains and open access land, free to walk anywhere on. Car parks are small and fill early at the popular tors. Weather changes fast up here; take layers and something waterproof whatever the forecast says.
A woodland park with three waymarked trails down to a waterfall, plus animal talks — meerkats, owls, reptiles, goats — that come as a bonus rather than the main event. The path to the lower falls is rocky with exposed roots: an adventure for children, hard going for anyone unsteady. Good café.
England's highest man-made waterfall in a beautiful valley, with a fern garden, lakes and a very good café and shop. Take the right-hand path up or you miss the best viewpoints. Steep in places but the paths are well maintained with benches — there is a flatter lower route too.
Farm café and shop on the Haytor road with goats and alpacas to feed for £1 a bag, indoor and outdoor play areas, an on-site butcher and a children's afternoon tea served in a little hen house. Cream teas are excellent. The obvious stop on the way to or from the moor.
In the National Trust's Parke estate on the edge of town, with a genuinely good menu — several vegan dishes, extensive gluten-free including sandwiches, banh mi and excellent cream teas. Lots of picnic tables outside with parasols. Order and collect by buzzer.
Big quirky café in the town centre with sofas and a magazine floor upstairs, fast service even at weekends, good cakes and bike storage inside. Open into the evening Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is not served until 12.15, which catches families out. Parking is a car park down the road.
The town pub on Fore Street with a good beer garden, well-priced food and rooms upstairs. Katsu curry and steaks get named repeatedly, and the chips have a following. Accommodating with large groups at short notice.