Things to do on Dartmoor and beyond

Perfect for large family celebrations & hen parties 

Lydford Gorge

Short and long strenuous walks around the gorge and the magical 30-metre-high Whitelady Waterfall! – walk through the gorge to Lydford village, stop at the Castle Inn for a pint, visit the old Castle and church before wandering back through the gorge to Whitelady House.

Dartmoor is one huge playground

Offering an enormous range of activities for the adventurous – canoeing, riding, gorge scrambling, fishing, rock climbing, epic cycle rides on the Granite Trail, gliding….. the sky’s the limit!

Planning your visit to Dartmoor

England’s last wilderness, teaming with myths, legends and mystery. 360 square miles to explore with amazing far-reaching views, rugged tors to climb and wildlife a-plenty. Discover it for yourself, we can supply maps for some great walks or join up with an experienced guide who can take you to some of the remotest spots so you can experience the vastness of Dartmoor. So, pack your walking boots.

Riding on Dartmoor

One of the best ways to discover Dartmoor is on horseback. If you’re a novice or a beginner there is a trekking centre close by offering an hour or two pony trekking.

Cycling

Explore the epic Granite Trail, take Route 27 (which runs past the house) or join a cycle tour with knowledgeable local guides and discover the grandeur of Dartmoor from a bike. The area has numerous quiet lanes, moorland tracks and remote villages for you to explore. Cycle or mountain bike hire is available, with a delivery and collection service to Whitelady House.

Climbing

On the southern reaches of the moor is Dewerstone rocks an outcrop of grey slabs and buttresses. With more than 100 routes across the rocks, the climbing is uniformly granite, and the personalities of the climbs are varied delivering as many rewards as challenges. For those new to climbing there is an excellent ‘Introduction to Rock Climbing’ course that run over 2 days.

Gorge Scrambling

Get wet and enjoy Devon’s wild rivers. This is an exciting ascent of a Dartmoor river plunging into pools, wading across the river and scrambling up waterfalls.

Tree Surfing

An adrenaline-pumping, heart-thumping bird’s eye experience. Recommended by all who have tried it!

Canoe the Tamar

Take a journey from the historic Quay at Cotehele up river, past the village of Calstock and into the wilds of the upper tidal limits of the Tamar.

Golf

Enjoy the wide-open moorland expanse of the course at Tavistock; the parkland-style course at Okehampton or a round at Yelverton, a moorland course where old mine workings are natural hazards.

Shooting

Clay pigeon shooting on the next-door farm with a personal instructor overlooking the moor. Also (in season) within a 5-mile radius we have a number of excellent shoots. The high pheasants over our steep valleys are world-famous. Driven snipe is a speciality, and there is mixed rough shooting or evening duck flighting. Deer stalking is also now available locally.

Alpaca Trekking

Opposite Whitelady House is Lydford Gorge Alpacas where the alpaca boys – Batman, Bubbles, Barney, Penfold, Macca, Mr Sharps and Mr T – are waiting to give you a warm Devon welcome to their home. Spending time with these gentle, curious and affectionate animals will lift your spirits, restore your energy and wellbeing, all whilst breathing in the fresh Dartmoor air. Prepare to have your hearts well and truly stolen!

Fishing

The Tamar and six of its tributaries are a few miles away. Wild brown trout abound in all the rivers, while the Tamar and Lyd hold salmon and sea trout. We can arrange tuition for beginners or advisors for the experienced. There is also excellent trout fishing, from bank or boat, at nearby Roadford Lake or on Bodmin Moor at Colliford Lake and Siblyback Lake. There are also many ‘put and take’ fisheries in the region. Or exciting sea fishing by boat from plaice to blue sharks (with bass being a speciality).

Roadford Lake

Eight miles away, Roadford Lake is the South West’s largest lake for water sports. Offering brown trout angling, sailing, windsurfing, rowing & kayaking, raft-building, WOWballs, Wakeboarding, Archery Climbing, High Ropes, Orienteering, and Slack-lining. With instructors on hand for tuition.

Plymouth Gin Factory

Take a tour of the oldest Gin Factory in the UK, sample the many cocktails, then wander around Plymouth Hoe and see where the Mayflower set sail from.

Wargame Company Tavistock

Enjoy an adrenalin-packed fun day with paintball games, Battlefield Live laser games and tank-on-tank paintball with 4 paintball panzers.

Southwest Rib Charter

Adventurous high-speed Rigid Inflatable Boat Rides, include wave blasting around the beautiful Plymouth Sound.

Less strenuous

The Dartmoor Soap School

Soap-making and natural cleaning workshops

Crafts by You

Crafting workshops and parties

Cookery Classes

Glo Pamper

A relaxation company that provides a range of wonderful therapies in the comfort of Whitelady House.

Butlers in the Buff

As seen on “Big Brother” why not book their cheeky semi-naked butlers for your Hen Party or any other event?

Other activities we can organise

Wine tastings, murder mystery evenings, cheese tasting, cocktail making, cupcake decorating, fascinator making, candle making, flower arranging workshop, quilting & basket making.

Other houses and places of interest:

Castle Drogo
Buckland Abbey
Cotehele
The Garden House
Rosemoor Garden
Eden Project
Legendary Dartmoor
Museum of Dartmoor Life
Dartmoor Prison Museum
Morwellham working village, mine and craft centre

Why book Whitelady House for your self-catering holiday in Devon?

Log burner in drawing room

Downstairs

Downstairs at Whitelady House is a spacious modern kitchen, a large dining room which seats 12 guests with original slate floor. There are 2 sitting rooms, each with a wood-burner and a ground floor twin bedroom with ensuite shower room. Two separate oak staircases lead up to first floor.

Pink flowered cushions on bed

Upstairs

There are 5 further bedrooms on the first floor, 3 with twin beds and 2 with king sized beds and their own ensuite. A third bathroom is shared by the twin rooms. The landing offers a light quiet reading area.

View of Whitelady House in the summer

Activities

Whitelady House offers free Wifi and a hot tub in the large garden along with a firepit with BBQ attachment. We provide table tennis and croquet. Next door to Lydford Gorge we boast of 2 village pubs and Dartmoor on our doorstep. Dogs are welcome. We have a vast array of things to do in the local area and beyond.

Horses riding across Dartmoor

Riding

One of the best ways to discover Dartmoor is on horseback. If you’re a novice or a beginner there is a trekking centre close by offering an hour or two pony trekking. 

Whitelady waterfall

History

The Whitelady house dates back to the 1600’s. It was the farm house to the Manor hence its original name of Manor Farm. This was changed when the house was renovated to reflect it's position next to the Whitelady Waterfall in Lydford Gorge, the deepest gorge in the South West.

Dining room laid for a meal

Catering

At Whitelady House we offer self-catering with the option of meals made to order ahead of your arrival,  or a  "chalet" style catering where we come in and cook for you at Whitelady House. For cooking alfresco there is a firepit with BBQ grill or (for an additional charge) wood-fired ovens are available.

“We all loved Whitelady House”

Read 10 reasons why you should make a “beeline” to book our “grand rental home near Lyford Gorge.”

Whitelady House

Dartmoor on your doorstep