River Dart Country Park – A Stunning Retreat in the Heart of Devon

I grew up on the Cornwall/Devon border so we spent many sunny days in both of these beautiful counties. Looking back, I didn’t realise how lucky I was!

Although we spent most of our time on the glorious Cornish beaches, one of my favourite places to go was Dartmoor, and in particular, the River Dart Country Park. We spent many weekends there either with the family or on school or Girl Guide trips.

So, when my Mum recently asked where we should go for the day with the kids during the summer holidays, I immediately said River Dart!

And it hasn’t changed much. The pirate ship and water activities are still there, complete with rope swings and slides.

If you’re looking for a getaway that combines adventure, relaxation (well, as much relaxing as possible when you have kids), and natural beauty, then this is it, a true gem in the heart of Devon!

River Dart Country Park

The first thing you’ll notice about River Dart Country Park is its sheer size. Spread across 90 acres of lush woodland, rivers, and meadows, the park offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

River Dart Camping

To get the best experience, I would definitely camp there. They have 234 camping pitches right next to the river and I was slightly jealous watching families emerge from their tents and grab a morning coffee as the kids played in the park and rode their bikes.

There are spacious pitches for tents, caravans, and motorhomes, many of which are set in idyllic locations surrounded by trees and close to the river. The park’s clean facilities, hot showers, and friendly staff make it easy to relax and enjoy your stay.

You can also stay at Holne Park House which is located centrally and has 9 bedroom suites available. You’ll find towels, toiletries and complimentary tea and coffee in all rooms and breakfast is served at the onsite cafe bar.

What to Do at River Dart Country Park

However, as we were day trippers, we headed straight to the Lake and Dam Pool, a huge lake running from the River Dart itself. We set up on a picnic bench next to the water and dressed our kids in wetsuits (the water is extremely cold, even on a warm August day) but kids seem to be made from Teflon, as they dived right in.

Dam Pool and Lake

The lake is huge and big enough to swim in. The best part is the pirate ship which you can access via huge stepping stones, or swim up to. Our kids loved this, they quickly made friends and before we knew it, there was a mutiny taking place with kids using water guns bought from the nearby kiosk to shoot anyone that came close.

There are water obstacles, rope swings and plenty of room to go snorkelling or sitting in a dinghy. You can easily spend an entire day just watching them climb, slide, and swing their way around the park. The activities are designed to be fun and safe, so parents can relax and enjoy the day while the little ones burn off energy.

The area is perfectly set up for families. There are plenty of picnic benches (although it did get busy, so many brought their own chairs and picnic blankets), the Oasis Beach Hut Cafe and a little shop where you can buy wetsuits, beach shoes and fun games for the water.

Clean toilets are a minute away and there’s a little playpark and beach for smaller children.

Adventure Playground

Another area that my kids absolutely loved, was the huge adventure playground. Set in the woods, it could easily be a day out by itself. There are huge slides, a zip wire, obstacle courses, a wooden play fort and a space net for the kids to climb on.

My kids happily spent an hour in the lake and then ran off to the adventure playground to use the equipment whilst I stayed put on the picnic table with a coffee, knowing they’d be safe and would head back when they needed an inevitable snack :)

Tree Trail Activity

At the top of River Dart, there is a huge tree trail, spider web and observation tower nestled in the forest. I attempted the spider web myself much to the amusement of the kids when I got stuck between the trees. This area is relatively quiet as most people head to the Lake.

River Dart Country Park Activities

For those craving a bit more of a thrill, the park offers a range of adventurous activities. Although I think the River Dart Country Park has enough to keep everyone entertained without spending any more money,

You can try your hand at the Climb and Cave Zone, challenge yourself on the high ropes course, or take a leap with the zip wire that flies over the beautiful lake. My daughter wanted to go on the zip wire and although we didn’t prebook, we were able to get a slot later on in the afternoon.

We arrived 15 minutes beforehand for a briefing and she was led away into the woods to emerge on the zip wire 10 minutes later with a huge grin on her face. It cost £12 and is definitely worth it! My Son and his cousins decided not to join in, they were having too much fun being pirates on the pirate ship.

You can also try canoeing or kayaking on the Canoe Lake. If you’re new to it, don’t worry. There are instructors available to help you get the hang of it!

Dartmoor Bike Park

If all of the above activities aren’t enough, River Dart Country Park has its own Dartmoor Bike Park. The Freeride Area is designed and built by ex-pro BMXer Kye Forte and includes four runs graded from blue to orange.

Pre-booking is essential with jump bikes, BMXs and helmets available for hire. Although we didn’t have a go whilst we were there, it is definitely something we will book on our next visit.

Bike Hire

If the bike park isn’t your thing and you would prefer a leisurely bike ride around the Park itself, River Dart has bikes available for hire. There are plenty of bike trails in the country park, taking you through the woods, down by the river and onwards through the valley.

It is obviously a very popular activity as we weren’t able to hire any bikes whilst we were there as they had all been booked out. So make sure you book in advance!

Water-Based Fun on the River Dart

The park takes full advantage of its stunning location on the River Dart, offering visitors a range of water-based activities. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or just looking to splash around, there’s something for everyone.

The Dam Pool and Canoe Lake are set on tributaries that run off the River Dart, but my favourite part had to be the River Dart itself. If you have never been to Dartmoor or Devon, you are in for a treat!

The crystal-clear waters are surrounded by trees and greenery with small rapids making it the perfect place to go for a wild swim, just be prepared for how cold it is.

We sat and watched a group of teenagers head down the river in large rubber rings, which can be purchased from the small shop. They disappeared out of sight so I’m hoping they made it back!

The Tranquil Side of River Dart

While the park is famous for its adventurous activities, it’s also the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the peaceful beauty of Devon’s countryside. If your idea of a great day is sitting by a tranquil river with a good book or taking a leisurely stroll through the woods, River Dart Country Park delivers that too.

One of the best ways to experience the quieter side of the park is by exploring its walking trails. These trails wind through the woodland areas, alongside the river, and offer beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, I managed to spot birds, squirrels and deer in the valley.

Even though the River Dart Country Park is geared towards children, it is still the perfect place to spend a weekend as adults too. For those who want to enjoy nature without too much effort, find a peaceful spot along the river, enjoy a picnic and go for a wild swim!

Dogs are welcome on the walking trails and in most areas of the park, which means they’ll get to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings too. They must be kept on leads at all times and there is a £5.50 charge per dog.

Where to Eat at River Dart Country Park

We took a picnic on our day trip, but there are places to eat within the park. The Old Sawmill is in a central location and has indoor and outdoor seating.

It is fully licensed and offers a buffet breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. You can also order food online and take it away so you can enjoy your food by the lake.

The Park Shop, situated next to the Old Sawmill, stocks a range of groceries, confectionary, souvenirs, gifts and camping essentials.

The Ocean Beach Hut, situated right next to the lake offers a good old Cornish pasty, sausage rolls, snacks, ice creams and hot drinks, so there are plenty of places to go if you forgot your sandwich!

If you’re planning a trip to Devon, don’t miss out on the chance to experience this stunning country park. Summer holidays can often be fraught, trying to find things to do for the kids without spending too much money becomes a challenge in itself.

We went in mid-August, including me, my kids, their young cousins and my parents and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their day out. There is something special about being surrounded by forests, clear watered rivers and campers emerging from their tents without a care in the world.

The combination of adventure, relaxation and the stunning natural beauty of the River Dart Valley makes it one of Devon’s standout destinations. Whether you’re staying for a day or a long weekend, River Dart Country Park is a place you’ll remember long after your visit ends.