The 14 best zoos in and around Yelverton

We were visiting the area and thought we’d stop in to Dartmoor Zoo as they are supposed to have one of the largest collections of big cats. The zoo wasn’t as big as we thought it might be, so you could easily walk around in half a day but it was still packed full with lots to see. We met a few volunteers working at the zoo who were extremely knowledgable and obviously had a great passion for what they did. We attended some of their talks which were very interesting. It was great to see lots of the animals and big cats up close. I would have given 5* but I think certain areas of the zoo perhaps need a big of TLC, and some of the enclosures needed updating, with some of the larger animals seemingly needing bigger enclosures with more enrichment.

Great little Zoo, friendly knowledgeable staff. Don't go here expecting a massive Zoo with hundreds of animals, instead think of it as a more up close experience, the staff actually care for these animals it's not just a Saturday job so to speak, and as an added bonus they're not trying to sell you stuff every 10 paces. So why only 4 out of 5 stars I hear you ask, well....... Their coffee sucks, that is it plain and simple, you might like it I didn't. I had burger and chips from the Cafe, the burger was tasty and the chips were nice and crispy, my Mrs had Fish and Chips, the only thing she said was the fish could be a little bigger but I think we both agreed it is simple nice hot food which is all we wanted. Great job Dartmoor Zoo thank you.

This is a lovely little wildlife park, it's great for a morning or afternoon but not enough for us for the day. There's lot's of animals to see and information on them all. The staff are all so friendly. The disabled parking is inside the park up the hill. If needed you need to purchase your tickets then they will open the gates and you can drive in. There's a nice cafe selling light lunches as well as cakes. The animals all seem happy and well looked after although some of the enclosures could be larger. It does look like they are doing lots of work to improve this.

If you have a guest in a wheelchair, basically forget it. Hills all over the zoo. Parts of the pathways are not maintained, if a pathway at all. Only good part is parking for disabled, you get to park in the middle of the zoo. Animals could do with a bit more food in my opinion. Do have a variety of animals, but not many. Is great for younger children for a few hours.

A small but well kept zoo. Animals is beautiful condition- the jaguar in particular. The otters were very entertaining too. Had a lovely chat with a keeper about their newt. A shout out to the cafe team for perfectly prepared gluten free pizza that was coeliac safe! Will definitely visit again.

Had a Brilliant day at Dartmoor Zoo. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. In particular Henry knew a lot about the animals and was a lovely guy. A lot of the staff are volunteers and you can tell they really enjoy what they do. Loved dragon the tiger, he really put a good show for the visitors. Also loved the otters. It was a shame about the rainy weather but still didn’t want to leave!

Had a successful day at the zoo despite the poor weather. Saw plenty of the animals and enjoyed a good lunch at the restaurant. Not too busy even though it was half term holiday. Thanks too to the knowledgeable volunteers Sam and Liam who were very engaging for our grandson.

We visited this place with our 5 year old son and were a bit disappointed that extra attractions, like soft play, were unavailable. We enjoyed the big aquarium and watching the team of reaserchers at the lab. If you have an autistic child like we do I'll advice you to be there first in the morning as it becomes busy later on. The tickets can be used for the whole day which is fantastic as we didn't have a chance to see everything in our first round. Our son just runs like a Flash😆 Lovely, friendly staff. X

A great place to visit for young and old. You can spend a few hours just wandering around at your own pace looking at the vast array of fish, turtles and sharks. My children loved this place. This is my second time here and would definitely return for a third time.

Lots of information and big fish. We took about an hour to go around, we did not read the information boards which could easily add another hour. There are a couple of places to sit and watch which is a pleasant way to spend some time. They offer a year's entry for the price of a day; £26 per adult, which is quite pricey if you only visit once. However visit again within the year and it becomes fantastic value!

I have read the reviews before I went to this aquarium so I knew what to expect. To be honest, the staff are quite friendly and helpful, and I wish I could give it a higher point, but the fish tanks are too small, and the so-called biggest fish tank could have come with a bit more fish or more impressive fish. I think perhaps because the major visitors of this aquarium are kids and their families these days, they stick too many stickers with words and scientific facts on the wall, yet put too few fish to see. The best room is the room with the lecture, the curvy glass helps us to see the animals more clearly. The lecturer was very enthusiastic when she talked about sharks, rays, and the green turtle. I do not mind that they make the Aquarium more educational, but I hope they prioritize the fish rather than people. Whether bigger or smaller fish, they need more space to swim. For the size and the reputation of this museum, they could have done better.

So much too see. There was 2 school parties here when I went and they looked intrigued by the big tank while they were at a talk. I loved it,my daughter in law showed us the way luckily else I'd have been going in circles. Didn't see any seahorses which were there last time and the sharks were not that big but my fave were the mantas and stingrays. There were some really big starfish,a turtle and lots of strange looking fish and anemones. Got a years pass on buying entry tickets so will be returning soon.

Excellent. You get to see so much. You can even go round again and again. The cafe has very limited seating, food looked good but seemed overpriced. Toilets are located throughout. Easy to get round with pushchair, lift however is very small. The view you get of the animals is amazing.

Visited recently and this place truly blew me away. As the UK’s largest aquarium, it effortlessly lives up to the hype with its four themed zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean, and Blue Planet; all packed with vibrant marine life and fascinating exhibits. The Atlantic Ocean exhibit is mind-blowing, housing a colossal 2.5-million-liter tank filled with sharks, rays, and tropical fish, viewed through thick acrylic walls that make you feel submerged. The Ocean Drifters jellyfish display in the Atlantic zone is also stunning; perfect for taking a moment to marvel. Kids (and grown-ups) will love the interactive corners; rock pool touch tanks, storytelling sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, and crafts that bring education to life with fun. I especially appreciated the thoughtful accessibility touches like lowered viewing panels, stools for young visitors, and staff who are knowledgeable and welcoming. Extra perks: a café with harbour views, a lovely on-site gift shop, and seamless entry options (standard and fast-track). Plus, if you nudge the ticket cost with gift aid, you could score a year’s free return visits which is definitely great value for money.

I suppose because I visited on a Thursday the place felt a bit deserted and top floor of the house was closed off... so overall I walked out feeling a little underwhelmed. There could be more benches to sit on, they could do something about the mouldy smell in the castle folly. Didn't see any activities for kids. The orangery was bare and empty. It was otherwise a lovely place, very pleasant for a short walk around the grounds. There's a little gate (locked) connecting the house grounds with a lovely riverside walk. I enjoyed the walk but you have to head back out to the car park to start the walk. Enjoyed my couple hours there but a little disappointed overall.

We had a wonderful visit here, it was very quiet so had lot's of time from all the amazing volunteers. The house has a lovely warm feeling with lots of tapestries on the walk. It's spread over 2 floors but the stairs are easy to walk up. The gardens are lovely with lots to see and some interesting features. The summer house is worth a visit. Lot's of parking which is free for members. The cafe serves delicious cakes amd hot drinks as well as light lunches.

Wow! I was very pleasantly surprised by our visit. Large car park, lovely sized cafe, second hand book shop with hidden treasures, fabulous gift shop with some cheap tiny gifts for kids available (so they get a treat without breaking a bank), stunning views and of course the house! I dont think ive visited another house with so many gorgeous paintings and portraits, even my 5 year old was interested! Lovely volunteers answering questions and providing information. Decent sized outdoors for lovely Autumn walk, and lovely little tea room for a cake and tea after the walk. We will be visiting again very soon!

Brilliant house in superb grounds can see for miles every room.had it's own story and the volunteers were happy to tell you all about also lovely cafe you could sit by the lake would thoroughly recommend

Very nice national trust property. Really interesting main house full of original family items, steeped in history. Nice gardens and walks, several cafe options with a wife variety of food and drink.

A beautiful building, filled with art, ornate ceilings and interesting artefacts. Around the house are flower beds, an orangerie, but the estate has extensive grounds to walk - pack a picnic and you could easily spend a whole day here!

Lovely walk as normal. Soo lucky to have this beautiful place on my doorstep. I must have walked round here thousands of times and each time feels and looks different. What a treat to see the woodpecker, normally can only hear it. It's beautiful all year round. Plenty of parking, toilets till 4pm. 😍🌳🪾🐦‍⬛🦜🦆🦉

A Must-Visit National Trust Gem! Buckland Abbey is an absolute treasure — easily one of my favourite National Trust sites to date. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by friendly and knowledgeable staff who clearly have a deep passion for the place and its incredible history. The highlight for many will be the original Rembrandt self-portrait, which is genuinely awe-inspiring to see in person. But there’s so much more to enjoy — the architecture of the Abbey itself is stunning, with layers of history that transport you back through the centuries, from its monastic beginnings to its connection with Sir Francis Drake. The tithe barn is an architectural marvel and really sets the tone for how well-preserved and presented the whole site is. Outside, the gardens are immaculate, full of colour and variety — especially the roses and well-labelled plants which were in full bloom during our visit. A real haven for plant lovers. We also stopped for a coffee and slice of cake in the café and were not disappointed — excellent quality and a perfect way to round off the visit. This place has it all: art, history, architecture, beautiful gardens, and a warm welcome. Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, or just looking for a peaceful day out in the countryside, Buckland Abbey is a solid 10/10. Highly recommended.

This National Trust location is lovely and quiet. Car parking is free and it's a short downhill walk to the Abbey. There is disability parking closer to the entrance and toilets at the entrance too. I had no idea Sir Francis Drake had owned this place so it was a really interesting place to see. For those interested in art, there is a genuine self portrait of Rembrandt which will sadly be exhibited elsewhere for a while, luckily we saw this on its last day at Buckland. The story of the Rembrandt is interesting as it was sold to the National Trust from a local family wanting to pay off taxes and the family chose the from their own collection their most dislikes pictures, the Rembrandt being one of them. The family had been completely unaware of the significance of this picture as apparently the husband of the family had bought it without acknowledging it's value to his wife. Many years later the National Trust decided to have the picture checked for authenticity, when clarification eventually arrived it became apparent that this was a genuine self portrait from Rembrandt himself. As I said the staff at this location are very knowledgeable. There are fabulous grounds to walk around and a walled garden which is full of great produce. As with all National Trust locations there is a cafe serving all the regular food and drinks and the staff throughout the site are very knowledgeable and polite. Always a worthwhile visit 👍🏻

A lovely place to visit on a sunny day! Friendly staff everywhere and nice facilities. We had a savoury tea before heading off on the red route for a walk. The blue route is currently closed due to storm damage. It’s just so peaceful and relaxing here and not too far out of Plymouth.

What a wonderful place to visit, it is part of the National trust. It is steeped in History with beautiful gardens to compliment the Abbey and its surrounding buildings. There is disabled access in some areas. On site cafe and toilets within. Disable toilets also. Dogs are welcome but not inside the buildings. Service dogs are aloud inside,but always ask any of the super volunteers who can give you more information.

It was truly wonderful to experience such knowledgeable historical guides. The information they shared was incredibly enriching and painted a vivid picture of the past. The entire experience was made even more stunning by the breathtaking views. I extend my gratitude for such a well-crafted presentation of history. Overall, it was a fantastic day!

Interesting and well stewarded N.T. Attractive buildings and immediate formal gardens, plus extensive estate walks. Link to Sir Francis Drake makes it more special. Good teas. Several interesting popup shops.

Buckland Abbey is without doubt one of this country’s greatest national hero’s home. Sir Francis Drake, global explorer, and legal privateer of Spanish ships and colonies, Admiral of Royal Navy and defender of the nation. This Abbey and Drakes home is a great day out, and excellent for teaching some history of the development of both Great Britain and the early Royal Navy.

Featuring galleries dedicated to art, history and natural sciences, one can spend quite an enjoyable day taking in all the exhibits and contents of this museum. If feeling peckish, the restaurant in the entrance lobby is not only roomy but also serves good food. Don't forget to pop into the building across from the entrance as it is part of the museum and also features exhibits.

This was a brilliant museum to visit, showcasing the history of Plymouth and its surrounding areas throughout centuries! The exhibits about ships are really interesting with displays of different ones that sailed from the city, particularly the one heading to the North Pole. Information is also shown about how people followed their career paths from Plymouth and model of the city's planning is well-crafted, creative imagery of outdoor areas is admirable itself too! Various cameras and their usage in theatres are delved into, television promotional aspects are revealed also. Artwork section is very creative with the likes of a pram holding up a twig with leaves, multi-headed women and a tree with unique branches off of it!

The Box is a great immersive/interactive museum which provides all ages a great way to experience history from in and around Plymouth and surrounding areas. It’s a real eye opening experience which provides different rooms full of unique information. I’d strongly recommend this to University students or people who are passionate about history. Although families or younger adults may also enjoy certain sections of the museum and of course the gift shop! There is also a small cafe downstairs which provides a variety of drinks and snacks if you plan a longer visit!

So much to see and do. Took my 9yr old Granddaughter and we both loved it. Cafe was reasonably priced and good food too.

In this eautiful building from 1910 you can find an interesting " for all the family" exhibitions about Plymouth's history and prehistoric history, a small nature museum style exhibition which is very interesting and a modern art one too. Free admission, nice cafe, pleasent staff , absolutely perfect. Highly recommend visit.

Modern museum, presenting the history of Devon in an interactive layout. The buildings themselves add to the experience and have been well integrated to suit the different display spaces. Easy to spend a whole looking at the exhibits and talking to the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Brilliant museum, we visited as a family of 4 and all loved it. The displays are very well curated and beautifully presented. Really good interactive screens with so much information

Did the 13 Tors day hike for Marie Curie Charity. Amazing views and people! Just need to prep gear, snacks, take all your rubhish with you, observe the byelaws and remember to use toilets!

Spectacular place, so much to see and do, if you like Tors, desolate moors, valleys with trees, reservoirs, lakes, streams, rivers and woods, then this is the place for you. Wonderful to see all the Dartmoor ponies and foals, cattle and sheep roaming free. Loads of walks from easy, to moderate, to hard ones, so many different Tors to see.. Lots of cycling tracks, and areas to go horse riding. The scenery is breathtaking. Plenty of pubs along the route to stop at for food and drink. Places to stop for picnics as so many car parks all over the moors. Stunning little villages around too. Well worth a visit.

Every time I visit England, I always love going back to Dartmoor. I first came here as a child, and it’s just as beautiful now as I remember. The hikes are great, whether you want an easy walk or something more challenging, and the scenery is stunning. Seeing the wild ponies and the wide open moors always makes it feel special. It’s one of those places I never get tired of visiting.

I love this place with all my heart. I’ve walked across the moors countless times, and every time I go, it’s better than the last. Standing on top of Haytor Rocks feels like nature itself is running through my body like lightning.

Wild, slightly windswept, exposed, grassy, treeless, and a lot of cute horses. Reminds me a lot of Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, but of course, with the granite, it is its own beast. The views are expansive, and it shuttles you between a handful of high, bumpy plateaus, then short fast dips into verdant hedgerowed hamlets, then back into windswept plateaus again. Perfect countryside for bike riding, and hopefully the suggested speed limits on the road are adhered to, as the straight roads do seem to encourage wild driving at times. I love the big descent down Pork Hill to Tavistock, and the one down to Exeter - and of course they are for great ascents too, nice and steady. Come to see the cute Dartmoor Ponies too - they’re very short and quite timid, like Shetlands without the attitude problems. but treat them with care, they still need to feel wild, not domesticated.

Bleak desolate and absolutely stunning! My first visit as a teenager; Dartmoor near Okehampton… it has pulled me back my whole adult life, my favourite place to hike! It has everything. It’s peaceful, interesting and makes you want to keep going back for more. It has a wealth of interesting things to see, old ranges, rock formations and plenty of wildlife. You can hike for days and still be just as blown away by the scenery. At certain times of the year you might even spot a few Army cadets from the local camp dotted around the area. If you’re looking for somewhere to hike, unwind and take a breath this area definitely doesn’t disappoint!

Dartmoor is a wonderful National Park to visit, just to look or walk. So much history. We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep. A great place to cycle, motorcycle, or even drive your car. Remember to bring protective clothing if you plan on walking, as the weather can change dramatically in little time. Enjoy seeing the wild ponies, but remember to never feed them, this encourages them onto the roads and increases the chances of accidents. Please also remember that the speed limit is 40mph, and for good reason. By far the majority of people adhere to the limit, but a few don't.

Incredible views, peaceful for walks and bike rides

A nice walk along the banks of the River Plym and shallow enough bank for old Murray to climb down. Not bad for a 14 year old dog.

Never been there but some say it is really great...I don't know if I can agree at all with any real confidence. Hope this helps?

Lovely river on the outskirts of Plymouth. Must come out early in the morning...the birds are fantastic.

Lovely place, nice people.

Amazon walks along this river

Very peaceful

It’s a great marina, friendly staff, great new pontoon shower block. Really great place to be, surrounded by restaurants, pubs and only a short walk into the town…

A lot of memories here during my Royal Navy years and great to see it all thriving and busy.

Lovely overnight stop over not suitable for over 7 meters get there early for overnight stay 13 pound plenty of restaurants pubs excellent harbor great place for fishing as well

Great marina, friendly staff, coffee available in the marina office and they're always happy to have a chat. We have great neighbours on the well-placed pontoon at West Pier. Our berth is against the water rather than near the land and we wouldn't have it any other way. Very happy, thank you!

Beautiful place for a walk, the scenery is incredible moreover there are restaurants around with delicious food (and amazing local seafood restaurants). Perfect place to visit if you are in Plymouth also the shopping centre is not far from here

A great weekend of swashbuckling fun for young or old at Pirates Weekend, held around the Historic Barbican harbour. There were two Tall ships go aboard The Pilgram and The Olga. Beautiful vessels they were, weather was beautiful plenty to do ,listen to live music mainly sea shanties,lots of pirates around as you would expect,adults love dressing up after all we are big kids at heart.

Nice harbour with plenty of activities, bars and restaurants. Especially nice at sunset.

OK so at the site there is literally loads of different paths and trails you can follow. There is parking in several areas around the reservoir depending on which path you want to take. When we went it had been raining and there was a waterfall that led underground to the reservoir... The scenery and wildlife is absolutely breathtaking and I feel that there will be lots of wildlife that exists here that we didn't see. There are facilities on the entrance/exit road and there was an ice cream van there when we went. There is plenty to see and do especially with kids, getting them to see the true wonders that exist in our world we live in. I recommend having a trip here at least once. 😉

Great accessible walks for my daughter in wheelchair and lovely scenery and views, it was peaceful

Brilliant walk. We parked near the arboretum and did the whole circular walk. Only took 2.5hrs with a small picnic stop half way round near the dog exercise area (the only part of the walk dogs are allowed off lead near the resevoir).

Lovely walks.... We didn't follow a specific walk, just flowed our noses and enjoyed a good few hours exploring. Great for the dogs. Very quiet. There was an ice cream van (we went on a Monday)

I love Burrator. It's perfect for either a short stroll or the 3.9-mile walk around or even as a base for longer hikes. It's beautiful, easy to get to as well as super relaxing.

Very beautiful and nicely kept. Amazing views. Complete the loop for a good day's walk. Bring drink and own food, only came across an ice cream van. No bins so bring a bag for your rubbish. Mostly level walk.

Always visit here twice a week ,love the walk around,lots to see

An easy walk from the Ivybridge Station Park & Ride rewards you with spectacular views across South Hams and towards Plymouth. Lots of interesting archaeology in the landscape too, from relatively recent mining to the Neolithic.

its good but with ugborough beacon across thr corner it isnt as good in comparison but still good

Lovely visit lovely place

Magnificent views from the edge of Dartmoor across the South Hams all the way to Plymouth. Follow the puffing Billy track that used to take workers to Red Lake on a train....peace and tranquillity on your doorstep....

Stunning views.

Easter morning, Son rise. What a great place to witness God's creation.

Stunning views on a nice day if not a bit windy regardless of the weather, unfortunate side effect of relative high altitude I guess, would love to spend hours at the top otherwise

My daughter went there for yr4 residential and she slept in the cottage…squirrels got in but she loved the absailing, rock climbing and river scramble

A short walk from Cadover bridge over the moor, or a pleasant walk up the river from the Dewerstone car park. Fantastic views from the very top over The Valley. You might be lucky with the weather and catch one of the amazing sunsets!

Fantastic area for some outdoor pursuits and also some really great walking and biking. Great spot for team building, away days, scout groups, D of E and Princes Trust or for a day out with your partner or buddy/s on one of the best parts of Dartmoor. I have been heading here for years and love it. Climbing at Dewerstone is fantastic and there are routes for all skill levels from single pitch beginner top rope with lots of good holds right through to stupidly difficult multi pitches up sheer faces with overhangs that will test most climbers (including the Dewerstone or Devil's Stone itself) and then everything in-between. Lots of spots for a bit of bouldering or scrambling too if that is your thing. It is a fantastic place for teaching climbing and abseiling as well as orienteering around the woods and plenty of summer fun in and around the water and spots with hardware installed for rigging up zip lines or two-rope bridging across some impressive deep river cuts. There are a couple of hostel type accommodations within a couple of miles and both have a foot path through the woods to the main crags. It doesn't cost much to stay either as a large or small group. Also loads of camping nearby and spots to park a van/camper overnight. A few B&Bs around the area. If you are making a trip down for a few days climbing then take the opportunity to head to the 110ft high viaduct with your abseiling gear about 6 or 7 miles away (follow the cycle path NE), all the local outdoor pursuits companies use it as their grand-finale activity and it is worth it as it is so so much fun. Loads of re-enforced spots to clip on and tie off your ropes up top and then just climb over one of the 3ft steel tube safety barriers, turn around and make your way 8ft down the top of the arches and then 100ft of free fall to enjoy! It is a heck of a rush (even if you take it slow) and once at the bottom you wont be able to get back up the bank fast enough to do it again!! There are also some cave systems near by again ranging from easy routes to advanced diving routes through some very cold dark water. There are guidelines in most and markers dotted around to get you out if you get spun around. Be wary that a couple of the larger systems are SSSI's so access may be restricted if it has been a busy year. ALWAYS sign the log with your party details, planned route and in/out times which are checked every day. Be warned that the area has regular rolling very thick fog and I have seen it go from clear night to 5m visibility in a few minutes so try and get out of the area by dusk and make sure you have a compass and map with you if you are staying out after dark. Enjoy!

Definitely worth the hike up to the lookout. Could imagine a sunset would be brilliant to watch. A great little scramble and trek to the top.

Stunning place to walk or chill..

A beautiful area to take a nice little country stroll. The surroundings are amazing with the constant sound of the clean running water. Also has free parking!

I just about got up the steep part and I'm not a rock climber. Went back down the long and safe way via Cadover cross & bridge.

A stiff walk up to the top of Ugborough beacon. You have to be reasonably fit. Fantastic views of South Devon looking out over to the masts at Totnes cross and down the South Hams. Lots of skylarks around. Parking is limited.

it was a steep walk (i have done it lots growing up near here) but its ggreat at the top with astonish views and a good tor.

Beautiful morning 🌞

Challenging walk up from west gate phew! But so worth it. Amazing views.

Great, wild climb, but descent needs a bit more signage

Beautiful views. Well worth the walk.

Nice walk and lovely views