Already known as the 8th wonder of the world, the Eden Project stands
within a 50-metre deep crater overlooking St Austell bay. The two giant geodesic conservatories house the Humid Tropics Biome,
and the Warm Temperature Biome. The Tropics Biome is 200 metres long, 100 metres wide and 47 metres high. The world's largest
greenhouse is packed with giants of the plant world - balsa, teak and mahogany. Passing the waterfall you can see plantations
of cocoa, coffee and rubber. The Warm Temperature Biome contains a plethora of plants, fruits and flowers from the
Mediterranean, South Africa and California. The outside is not forgotten, and has been described as "Picasso meets the Aztecs".
A series of interlocking crescent shaped terraces tell the story of plants that have changed the world, and plants that may be
crucial to our future. Beautiful flora from our own temperate climate will flourish alongside those from more exotic climes
such as Chile, the Himalayas and India.
The Dartmoor National Park covers an area of
365 square miles, and is considered by many to be England's last great
wilderness. Ancient stone clapper bridges, sparkling clear rivers and heather clad hills contrast with the dramatic granite
outcrops known as Tors. Dartmoor is a place of mystery and legend. Stone circles, ancient dwelling places and strip farming are
evidence of mankind's influences over the last 5000 years of inhabitance. Exploring the Moors is a must. Walking varies from
simple strolls along made up paths to complex orienteering. There are many organised walks during the season. Pony trekking is
available from two centres within easy reach of Gages Mill.
Gages
Mill is situated one mile from the Stannary (Latin stannum-tin) town of Ashburton, with its many first story slate hung
buildings. Ashburton has the only museum within the National Park. St Lawrence Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in the
town. It started its life as a private chapel to the Bishop of Exeter. In 1314 the Chapel was given to the town on the
condition that a Chantry School was maintained there. This evolved into a Grammar School which closed in 1938. Nowadays it is
used as a Visitors Centre throughout the summer season, and is used by the ancient Courts Leet and Baron to elect town
dignitaries such as the Portreeve. Ashburton boasts a number of interesting shops including Antique shops, an Antiquarian book
shop and a well stocked Delicatessen selling a wide selection of local cheeses and wines.
The Abbey is under 3 miles from Gages Mill.
The original Abbey dates back to 1018. In 1539 the Cistercian Monks were forced to leave when Henry V111 dissolved the
monasteries of England. The building fell into decline until a small group of Benedictine monks started rebuilding the Abbey in
January 1907. Buckfast now houses a working community of Benedictine monks, and local produce including honey, tonic wine,
carpets and wool products are available in the many shops within its grounds.
Here you can enter the "tropical rain forest"
environment complete with waterfalls and ponds to see butterflies from all over the world in a kaleidoscope of colours. Or you
can step out into the world of Otters, with its many water features and play areas. There is even a clever mirror arrangements
that allows you to see into their holts without them seeing you.
Adjacent to the Butterflies and Otters is the
South Devon Railway. This is all that remains of the Totnes to Ashburton line. The nostalgic steam trains run from
Buckfastleigh to Totnes via Staverton, following the river Dart, and passing through stunning scenery.
From Totnes there are two cruise lines, River
Link and Red Cruises, that take you down the river Dart to Dartmouth. The journey takes around 75 minutes taking in some of the
most beautiful scenery in Devon. The Captain will give a live commentary on places of interest and the varied wild life. The
river is tidal so it important to check the boat times when planning a trip. Dartmouth itself is rich in nautical history and
has been used as the backdrop to many nautical films, including The Onedin Line.
There are many lakes and reservoirs within the
National Park and some spectacular falls. Canonteign Falls are the highest in England, while the 90ft White Lady falls at
Lydford Gorge form part of a dramatic walk through the Gorge, with its many smaller falls and awesome "Devils Cauldron."
Ancient and modern crafts abound within the
National Park. The Devon Guild of Craftsmen, The House of Marbles & Teign Valley Glass and the Cardew Teapot Centre are all at
Bovey Tracey. Only five miles from Gages Mill. There is a craft centre at Dartington and Buckland-in-the-Moor, and practically
every town has its own local crafts.
Morwellham Quay
You can escape for a whole day here at
Morwellham Quay which was once an important port, shipping copper around the world. In recent years it has been reconstructed
from the ruins as a "theme museum". You can travel into the copper mines on the miners train where wax work cameos depict the
conditions of life in the mines during the Victorian era. You can hear stories from the past and see demonstrations of
forgotten skills and crafts, or walk around the old port and see the renovated ships and waterwheels. There is a fine museum as
well.
The National Trust has many properties and
sites in South Devon. Saltram House (One of the locations from the recent film "Sense and Sensibility") , Castle Drogo
(designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens). Buckland Abbey (Home of Sir Francis Drake).Coleton Fishacre Gardens, Lydford Gorge and Finch
Foundry are but a few.
The South Devon Coast Path runs most of the
length of the coast and is well marked. There are dramatic vantage points such as Bolt Head, Wembury Cliffs and Prawle Point.
There are large beaches such as Blackpool Sands and many small beaches and quaint little fishing villages. Burgh Island, just
off Bigbury, can be reached when the tide is in, by an extraordinary contraption that drives through the sea!
www.devon-cc.gov.uk is the Web site for the Devon County Council and the National Park and contains further information on the area.
South Devon's top attractions -
n as the 8th wonder of the world, the Eden Project stands
within a 50-metre deep crater overlooking St Austell bay. The two giant geodesic conservatories house the Humid Tropics Biome,
and the Warm Temperature Biome. The Tropics Biome is 200 metres long, 100 metres wide and 47 metres high. The world's largest
greenhouse is packed with giants of the plant world - balsa, teak and mahogany. Passing the waterfall you can see plantations
of cocoa, coffee and rubber. The Warm Temperature Biome contains a plethora of plants, fruits and flowers from the
Mediterranean, South Africa and California. The outside is not forgotten, and has been described as "Picasso meets the Aztecs".
A series of interlocking crescent shaped terraces tell the story of plants that have changed the world, and plants that may be
crucial to our future. Beautiful flora from our own temperate climate will flourish alongside those from more exotic climes
such as Chile, the Himalayas and India.
and is considered by many to be England's last great
wilderness. Ancient stone clapper bridges, sparkling clear rivers and heather clad hills contrast with the dramatic granite
outcrops known as Tors. Dartmoor is a place of mystery and legend. Stone circles, ancient dwelling places and strip farming are
evidence of mankind's influences over the last 5000 years of inhabitance. Exploring the Moors is a must. Walking varies from
simple strolls along made up paths to complex orienteering. There are many organised walks during the season. Pony trekking is
available from two centres within easy reach of Gages Mill. 
ges
Mill is situated one mile from the Stannary (Latin stannum-tin) town of Ashburton, with its many first story slate hung
buildings. Ashburton has the only museum within the National Park. St Lawrence Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in the
town. It started its life as a private chapel to the Bishop of Exeter. In 1314 the Chapel was given to the town on the
condition that a Chantry School was maintained there. This evolved into a Grammar School which closed in 1938. Nowadays it is
used as a Visitors Centre throughout the summer season, and is used by the ancient Courts Leet and Baron to elect town
dignitaries such as the Portreeve. Ashburton boasts a number of interesting shops including Antique shops, an Antiquarian book
shop and a well stocked Delicatessen selling a wide selection of local cheeses and wines.
