Maximise your experience
Dartmoor and its surroundings offer a wide range of activities to suit all members of your group – there is no shortage of experiences to try and places to visit. Some of our suggestions are detailed below, see our Days Out page or look for further ideas on the Visit Dartmoor website.
Horse riding: Pony trekking on Dartmoor can be booked at Cholwell Farm & Riding Stables in Mary Tavy – approximately 20 minutes drive from Vixen Tor Farm.
Livery: Guests can book their horses into a private livery yard only 1.5 miles from the accommodation, with space for horse boxes. Horses can be tacked-up and walked across to Vixen Tor Farm, which provides spectacular riding routes straight onto the moors. Please contact us to outline your stabling requirements.
Mountain biking and cycling: Mountain bikers can experience stunning rides across the moor and the Tamar Valley, with options to vary terrain and difficulty. There are a number of guide books in the barns that set out local routes, as well as online resources such as the interactive cycle map on Travel Devon. Two of the most popular local routes include Drake’s Trail and the Granite Trail (both are part of the National Cycle Network – NCN Route 27). There are also a multitude of challenging road rides across and around the moors.
For mobile bike service, contact Dartmoor Cycle Workshop, run by mountain and road bike specialist Andy Boyle. Andy can come to Vixen Tor Farm to give your bike a thorough service at the start of your break, or fix any problems which may arise during your stay. Andy is also a qualified guide and can take groups on local day or half day rides, with pub breaks!
For bike hire, try Tavistock Cycles who offer hybrid bikes (for general riding and cycle tracks) on a day rate basis.
Climbing: The immediate area provides plentiful outdoor and indoor climbing opportunities. For indoor climbing try The Barn Climbing Centre in Milton Abbot. There are also challenging pitches at Foggintor Quarry and Sheeps Tor – both within half an hours drive from the Farm.
Kayaking/canoeing: Tamar Trails offer canoeing on the river Tamar – a truly relaxing way to enjoy the stunning scenery and wildlife on and around the Tamar Valley. A Canoe Tamar safari is only 20 minutes drive from Vixen Tor Farm.
Wild swimming: Discover beautiful and secluded wild swimming spots all over Dartmoor. You don’t need to venture far as there is a plunge pool three minutes from the barn, and access to a private stretch of the River Walkham about ten minutes away.