Dartmoor, with its miles of open lands, has been welcoming visitors and their dogs for hundreds of years. However, there’s more to our wonderful part of the world than just its astounding natural beauty – although there’s plenty of that to discover, too!
Chagford hotels that are dog friendly provide the perfect base from which to explore the area, allowing access to the moors and good connections to other local attractions.
If you’re planning a holiday in the area with your four-legged friend, here are some great locations and attractions you could all explore.
To start with the most obvious, you would be amiss to visit Dartmoor with your pooch and not let him have fun in our wide open spaces!
Pretty much all of Dartmoor is dog-friendly, so no matter where you want to visit, you should be able to bring your dog. The only thing to be aware of is that some areas have rules around dogs on leads, particularly during nesting seasons in late spring and early summer.
There are so many great walking areas in Dartmoor around Chagford, and we have plenty of walking guides on our website.
Certain areas of Dartmoor feel magical, and Stone Lane Gardens is one of them. The well-kept 5-acre woodland is home to some nationally important birch and alder trees which provide a fairytale backdrop to wonderful, pathed walks.
There is a seasonal tea room and tea garden, and it also hosts sculpture exhibitions during the summer months, with wonderful artworks placed throughout the grounds.
The RHS Partner Garden is located 2.3 miles outside of Chagford near Whiddon Down and can be reached by bus, and there is free parking on-site. There is a small admissions fee for adults and children over 10 years old.
Dogs are welcome but need to be kept on a lead while visiting Stone Lane Gardens.
If you’re looking for a scenic dog-friendly walk, we would definitely recommend checking out Teign Gorge, offering astounding views and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.
Most walking routes start at Castle Drogo, just outside Chagford; dogs are allowed on leads in the informal garden areas around the castle. From there, you can walk around the River Teign. Both the Castle and Teign Gorge are within walking distance of Mill End Hotel.
With various levels of difficulty available and an average time of around 2.5 hours, it’s a great choice for anyone wanting to give their dog a run around while also seeing the wonderful sights of Dartmoor.
Fernworthy Reservoir by Chris Thomas-Atkin. CC BY-SA 2.0
If the history of Dartmoor is something you want to explore on your dog walks, then Fernworthy Reservoir might be the perfect choice.
Alongside the beautiful nature and wildlife of Dartmoor, Fernworthy is filled with relics of ancient and bronze age civilisations, including burial cairns, hut circles and farm buildings.
Access around Fernworthy Reservoir has recently been upgraded, making this a particularly accessible location. The popular Potter’s Walk is less than a mile long, starting from the car park, and is mainly flat throughout with plenty of resting spots.
Becky Falls has something for everyone. While the 70-foot waterfall is the centrepiece, the tourist park offers three different walks around the picturesque ancient countryside, as well as a cafe for rest and recuperation throughout the day.
Becky Falls also has plenty to keep kids entertained, with activity packs, a nature challenge for little ones to enjoy on their paths and a small zoo with keeper talks. While dogs can’t enter the zoo or keeper talks, they are allowed on leads throughout the rest of the park.
The park is just under a half-hour drive from Chagford, so this could be an option for a day out during your holiday.
Offering insight into one of the UK’s most famous (and still functioning) prisons, the Dartmoor Prison Museum is a great place to visit for those interested in our justice system.
The prison was originally built during the Napoleonic Wars to cope with the number of prisoners of war being held in ports like Plymouth. With lots of prisoners from foreign countries, including the USA, the prison has collected an incredible range of artefacts depicting life for inmates through the generations.
As a functioning museum, Dartmoor Prison Museum also tries to show how the prison system has evolved into the modern role it takes in our society today.
Dartmoor Prison Museum allows dogs so long as they are on a lead and well-behaved. It’s located in Princetown, around 30 minutes drive from Chagford. There can sometimes be limited access to the museum due to maintenance works, weather conditions and more, so they advise contacting them before travelling.
Home to the highest waterfall in the South West, Canonteign Falls is a great place to visit if you want to take in Dartmoor’s awe-inspiring nature.
This natural attraction is home to a range of walks for all abilities. If you want a relaxing day, there are serene lakes and a stunning Victorian fern garden to explore. However, the main attractions are the waterfalls – one manmade during the Victorian era and one natural, but both beautiful sights. There are also adventure playgrounds and activities for kids.
Canonteign Falls is an attraction, meaning you’ll need to pay to enter. Dogs on a lead are welcomed across the whole site.
No matter what interests you, Dartmoor is certainly a dog-lovers paradise, and Chagford is the perfect place from which to explore! If you’re looking for somewhere to stay for your next visit, why not consider our hotel?