Dartmoor is BRILLIANT for children, with 356 square miles of Moorland to discover.
Climbing up on one of the great granite tors will give a child perspective of how the world is and all the pure fresh air taken in will be of huge benefit to the child's body. Dartmoor is a place for exploration. With hide and seek at a rock circle, a chance to kick up multi coloured golden leaves in the Autumn or pick up a piece of fallen tree bark to see what joys there are beneath. Children use their imaginations to the full when they climb aboard a pile of logs or fiddle around with a net and bucket in one of rock pools on one of Devon's many beaches which are all within less than an hour's drive from Dartmoor. Logs in the forest, sit on the front and it becomes a bus to ride. Search in the nooks and crannies to find all manner of bugs to watch. Take the kids up onto the Moor as evening falls to a high place, maybe with a flask of hot soup and let them watch how beautiful it all gets as the sun goes down. I'm not going to tell you about not staring into the sun and watch out for boggy places and all the other gibberish that this Nanny state insists on. 
Take a look at our swimming pools on Dartmoor page. We have plenty of swimming pools to visit.
Life's a journey of discovery and 5 minutes spent mucking about in a puddle of frogspawn with your toddler will stay in your memory and his much longer than an hour in a junk filled slot machine arcade, and what will it cost you ? Nothing.
By the way, for money off discount vouchers on Dartmoor, click here.
Lorely and Peter will take children from the age of 7. Close to the centre of Moreton, with a garden well away from the road.
No parking at the house, but 2 car parks in town, just a short walk away. The friendly owners run a toy and gift shop.
The Longhouse 21 Ford St, Moretonhampstead. Dogs by arrangement. (Lorely Murphy) Tel 01647 440935
B&B twin/double - shared bathroom £27.50 pppn + en-suite £30. Singles £38 + £40. Reductions for 2 then 4 nights.
The family room at the Victoria Inn in Ashburton has a contemporary en-suite shower room. A high chair is provided for mealtimes.
The front two bedrooms have a double and single bed, ideal for family or twin occupancy. Take a look at -> 
The Victoria Inn, 77 North Street, TQ13 7QD Dogs welcome in the bar. Tel 01364 652402
Bed and breakfast for 2 in the double room is £50 The family room is £60 and singles are taken for £30. Good value.
Children are very welcome at this family hotel in Bovey Tracey. They have their own menu and high chairs are provided. The en-
suite family room has a remote tv, tea/coffee tray and hairdryer. Large off road car park. Do read my food review of the Dolphin.
The Dolphin Hotel, Station Road, Dolphin Square, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AL. Telephone 01626 832413
B&B Single rate £50, Double £65 and the Family room is £85
How nice to find a B&B landlady who welcomes children to come and play with her own. Sally has an ideal self contained family
annexe at her Princetown home where she has a travel cot + spare single to add to the double bed and bunks. Drying facilities too.
The Oratory in Princetown PL20 6RP Mrs. Sally Kinsey. Telephone 01822 890273 B&B - Continental £30p.p. double.
This 18th century building sits in the hamlet of Horndon, just a short drive from Tavistock. Ideal for families as one bedroom has a double and 2 singles en-suite. + further double, en-suite and a twin. I have yet to visit, but looking forward to meeting Christine.
Higher Rowes Farm, Horndon, Tavistock, (Christine Staniland) Telephone 01822 810816 B&B from £28p.p. per night.
This is a wonderful family house with a large garden and free range poultry. Good Dartmoor walks are just through the gate.
Sue is happy to have children around and she enjoys taking families.
Rob and I stayed here in 2006 and we loved it.
Bagtor House Ilsington, Dartmoor.Sorry no dogs. Mrs. Sue Cookson. Telephone 01364 B&B £38, £36 for 2 nights.
Central in Princetown and perfect for any visitor, with a family room a double, a twin and single all available. A 'Full English' breakfast
is included in the price. Free off road car parking.
Packed lunches £5. See my 2010 review of Duchy House.
Duchy House, Tavistock Road, Princetown, PL20 6QF (Ernie + Hilary Trimble) Telephone 01822 890552Bed and Breakfast is Ensuite £70 or standard twin or double room is £60
Mary has been welcoming guests to her family friendly farmhouse for over over 40 years. She is good with young children.
Puzzles and games in the sitting room and a large garden for kids to run around in whilst Mum and Dad sit and admire the view.
Great Wooston Farm Moretonhampstead. Sorry, no dogs. (Mrs. Mary Cuming) Telephone 01647 440367 B&B from £30
5 different cottages with either B&B or self catering options in 10 acres with lake and walled garden, orchard and bee hives !
A good choice for families wanting a break in the country. I have yet to visit this selection, let me know if you have stayed there.
Mount Tavy Cottage, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9JL (Graham & Joanna Moule) Tel 01822 614253 + 07776 181576
Bed and Breakfast starts at £35 for a continental breakfast in one cottage and full English in another.
My self catering choices for Families.
Children love the large outdooor swimming pool at Budleigh Farm self catering cottages in Moretonhampstead.
Judith has been welcoming families to the farm for over 25 years that I know about. There are lambs here in the Spring.
Budleigh Farm, Moretonhampstead, TQ13 8SB. Judith and Arthur harvey. Telephone 01647 440835.
Part of an old farm dating back 250 years. An ideal choice for a family on a budget. 1 double 1 twin + 1 single.
Dogs taken by arrangement. Part of a working dairy farm . Near Route 27 National Cycle Trail, so don't forget to bring the bikes or roller blades! Under 20 miles to Plymouth. 10 minute drive into Tavistock and the good swimming pool.
The Hayloft at Higher Farm, Heathfield, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0LB. (Kim & Paul Stacey) Telephone 01822 810785
4 doubles and a super family attic room, sleeps up to 12. With play room, garden, swings and a BBQ. Ideal for larger family gatherings. Towels + linen included in the price. Off road parking. Dogs taken by arrangement. Click to see slide show.
Merrifield, Woodland, Nr. Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7JS Telephone 01364 654856 e-mail
Sleeps 5 in 1 double, 1 twin and a single plus cot + highchair provided. With ample parking. Dogs welcome. Converted Granary barn.
On a quiet working farm. Views overlooking Bowerman's Nose. See pics + read my review ->
Wingstone Cottage, Wingstone Farm, Manaton, Devon TQ13 9UL Telephone Juliette on 01647 221215
Sleeps 2 to 5. Self catering granite cottage with splendid views of the East and West Dart rivers. Ample off road parking.
Sitting room is involved with the accommodation. B&B also available in owner's home. Do read my review >
Hunter's Lodge Dartmeet, Princetown, PL20 6SG Toni +John Evans. Dogs by arrange.Telephone 01364 631173 email
Click here to see lots more self catering places.
This is just a handful of the stuff inside one of the self catering dressing up boxes !
Who wouldn't want to come and see new lambs in spring ? Children can cuddle small creatures at most farms.
All of our Devon farm B&B's are very happy to take children, and every child deserves at least one farm
holiday - don't they ? Come and help at feeding time to see children smile.
exeterbabies.co.uk has some wonderful ideas for young Mums including child friendly eating places in the city.
Did you know that the Eden project is less than an hour's drive from Dartmoor? And did you also know that the Eden Project sell ticket online cheaper than if you buy at the gate. Go to this webpage to see the current Eden Project
admission prices where you will be able to save £1 off adults tickets or £2 off a family ticket.
£££££ AND FAMILIES WHO ARRIVE BY FOOT OR BY BICYCLE ARE ENTITLED TO A MASSIVE £14 OFF THE ENTRY PRICES
"Hello, I'm Jill Pendleton, 
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