North of England
Scotland
With panoramic views of the countryside, a bubbling outdoor hot tub and sleek, contemporary interiors, this lodge is an excellent choice for a luxurious nature getaway. Up to six guests and four canine companions can enjoy the city buzz of Plymouth and the tranquillity of Dartmoor National Park and the South Devon coastline.
Rest and unwind in the indoor pool and gym, entertain your guests in the games room and socialise in the cosy lounge with a wood burner. As you enter the property, you’ll notice that the open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner feels spacious and airy from the natural light pouring through the patio doors.
Metal, wooden and leather furnishings create a rustic chic feel while the contemporary wood burner keeps things cosy. Continue into the marble family bathroom to find a freestanding bath and a walk-in rain shower.
There are also three bedrooms – a king-size with an en-suite, a double and a bunk bedroom. Beyond here is a utility room and a garage which has been converted into a games room.
Outside, you’ll find a raised decking area with furniture and a hot tub. You can also book private sessions in the owner's onsite gym and indoor swimming pool.
There is private parking for three cars. During your stay in South Devon, you’ll be just 1.5 miles from Plymouth suburb, Plympton, which is home to a handful of shops and eateries.
The cobblestone streets, harbour and high street of Plymouth, and the National Marine Aquarium are 9 miles away. Take a day trip to Dartmoor Zoo (1.5 miles) or explore the moorland walking trails of Dartmoor National Park (3 miles).
Pack a picnic and head to the secluded coves, seaside towns and cliff-top trails of the South Devon National Landscape – like Noss Mayo (8.5 miles) and Ayrmer Cove (15 miles).
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of 3-Bedroom Hot Tub Lodge in Plympton, with real driving times.
Sat nav: PL7 5FB
A charity-run zoo on the edge of Dartmoor, with a breeding programme and the story behind We Bought a Zoo.
Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre zoo just north of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It is run by a charity that focuses on conservation, education and research, and it belongs to BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sat nav: PL4 0LF
See over 5,000 sea creatures in Plymouth, from local sharks and rays to Caribbean reef fish and jellyfish.
The National Marine Aquarium sits in Sutton Harbour, near the Barbican in Plymouth. It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity, and is split into four zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet. You'll see local sharks, rays and octopus, a jellyfish exhibit, and a huge Atlantic tank holding around 1,000 Caribbean fish, with lemon and sand tiger sharks.
Tip: Pre-book your tickets online, as entry can't be guaranteed without a booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
Sat nav: TQ4 7EU
An 80-acre Devon zoo with tigers, gorillas and giraffes, plus play areas, gardens and indoor habitats.
Paignton Zoo covers 80 acres of animal enclosures and gardens, and most families spend a full day here. You can follow the four zones (Wetlands, Islands, Grasslands and Rainforests), catch the daily talks and feeding sessions, and wander through nature trails in Clennon Gorge wildlife reserve.
Tip: Book tickets online ahead of your visit to save money.
Sat nav: PL7 4NW
Ride a steam or diesel train through the Plym Valley on a restored part of an old Great Western branch line.
The Plym Valley Railway is a heritage railway on part of the old Great Western line from Plymouth to Tavistock, which closed in 1962. Trains run from Marsh Mills station to Plym Bridge, a journey of about 1.5 miles of track. Marsh Mills is also a railway centre where volunteers preserve and restore steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and wagons.
Tip: There is no parking at Marsh Mills station, but the Coypool Park and Ride car park is directly opposite and can be used by railway visitors at weekends.
Sat nav: PL14 3PJ
Zip wire, giant swing, karting and an inflatable aquapark in a flooded Cornish quarry.
Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.
Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.
Sat nav: TQ9 7DQ
Devon's largest theme park mixes water rides, a zoo farm and big indoor play areas, whatever the weather.
Woodlands is a family-owned, all-weather theme park on the A3122, about 5 miles from Dartmouth in South Devon. It covers over 90 acres, with 16 rides, around 500 animals and several play zones, each with its own rides and attractions. There are water rides, a zoo farm and a falconry display with over 50 birds of prey.
Tip: Not every ride runs every day, so check the park's website for opening times and which rides are open before you set off.
Sat nav: PL20 6EY
A former Cistercian abbey turned Elizabethan home of Sir Francis Drake, with gardens, a medieval barn and woodland walks.
Buckland Abbey was founded as a Cistercian abbey in 1278 and later became the home of Sir Francis Drake. Unusually, the church was kept as the heart of the house when it was converted. Explore the Grade I listed building, where Drake's Drum is part of the collection, then see the medieval Great Barn next to the house.
Tip: Dogs on leads can go almost everywhere except the Kitchen Garden, but only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Abbey. Parking is free.
Sat nav: TQ9 5NU
A well-preserved Norman motte-and-bailey castle with sweeping views over Totnes, the River Dart and Dartmoor.
Totnes Castle is one of the best preserved Norman motte-and-bailey castles in England, standing at the highest point of the hilltop town of Totnes in Devon. It was raised soon after the Conquest, and the stone shell-keep that crowns the mound dates from around the 14th century. It is now cared for by English Heritage.
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
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