Things to do in and around Dartmouth if you’re visiting with your Grandparents

If you’re planning a vacation with the whole family, little ones and grandparents in tow, you may be looking for some exciting activities for all ages to enjoy. Dartmouth could be just the place for you! Read on to discover some of the great attractions you can visit with your grandparents in Dartmouth and the surrounding area.  

Britannia Royal Naval College Tours, Dartmouth 

At the top of Dartmouth, commanding over the beautiful River Dart is the Britannia Royal Naval College. This beautiful, prestigious building is not only a place for education for Naval cadets, they also offer tours of the college as well as providing excellent panoramic views of the area. This fascinating building has a history spanning over 150 years and is an essential place to visit for anyone visiting Dartmouth with an interest in history. 

Babbacombe Model Village, Babbacombe 

The whole family, from young children to grandparents will enjoy a trip to Babbacombe Model Village. This unique and impressive attraction is home to 4 acres of gardens and hundreds of hand-crafted models and scenes; including their fabulous model railway and many historic and well-known landmarks in miniature form. The Model Village is set in the beautiful Babbacombe Bay area in Torquay and within an easy 5-minute walking distance from Babbacombe Downs with spectacular views across the bay. 

Coleton Fishacre House & Garden, Kingswear 

Travel back in time to the Jazz Age with your grandparents by visiting Coleton Fishacre House and Gardens, originally owned by the D’Oyly Cart family. The art-deco house is instilled with elegance and grace; you can almost imagine the socialite parties that would have occurred here. The gardens are Royal Horticultural Society accredited and absolutely spectacular, from here there are views out to sea. They also have a lovely café, the perfect place to grab a light bite to eat, or a cup of coffee. 

Bayards Cove Fort, Dartmouth 

If your grandparents are interested in history, take them to visit Bayards Cove Fort, perfectly situated at the entrance of Dartmouth harbour. This Tudor fort was built between 1522 and 1536 and contained heavy guns to protect Dartmouth’s harbour and the town from attacks. Bayards Cove Fort would have been the last line of defence against ships that eluded the Dartmouth and Kingswear castle defences.  

Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth

A little way past Bayards Cove Fort, Dartmouth Castle has stood guarding the town for over 600 years. The castle offers unbeatable views of the estuary and out to sea, and it’s a great family day out regardless of the weather. If you’re looking to make your trip into a full day out, you could even take the Dartmouth Castle Ferry from the town quay, which lands you just a short distance from the castle. After you’ve visited, pop into the Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms for some lunch, a piece of cake or a traditional cream tea. 

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh 

Pennywell Farm, located outside of Buckfastleigh, is jam packed with friendly farm animals, hands-on activities, rides, show and displays. With a different activity occurring every 30-minutes, you’ll never get bored here – from pig racing to bottle feeding and goat walking to pony pampering, you can get close and personal with these farmyard friends. Pennywell Farm are the original breeders of the Pennywell Miniature Pig, we’re sure that children and grandparents alike will enjoy a sweet piggy cuddle! 

Old Market Square, Dartmouth 

Dartmouth’s Old Market Square was originally built as a pannier market in 1828 where fresh farm goods were sold every day. Today, the market contains a wonderful selection of local and independent shops, stalls and eateries, selling an eclectic range of goods. It’s a great place to enjoy a bit of retail therapy. If you visit on the 2nd Saturday of the month, you’ll be able to experience our fabulous Farmers Market, click here for more details. 

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