Description
BECKY FALLS IS VOTED TOP BEAUTY SPOT IN DEVON!
Come and see why Becky Falls was voted Top Beauty Spot in Devon and why visitors have been returning since the Falls first opened to the public over a hundred years ago.
Set within a stunning Dartmoor valley, our walks and scenery offer a fantastic fun-filled day out for the whole family. There's a full programme of children's entertainment during school holidays, including Animal Encounter Shows, Animal Feeding sessions and Nature Trail competitions, with a small prize for every child. And remember, once you've paid your entrance fee, there are no extra charges for any of our activities* - it's all included!
A visit to us offers stunning scenic walks for all ages and abilities, lots of animals to meet and feed and, of course, the beautiful Becky Falls themselves. So what are you waiting for? Visit Becky Falls today and see what all the fuss is about!
fAMILY ACTIVITIES
CHILDREN'S LETTERBOXING CHALLENGE Our very popular child's size version of Dartmoor Letterboxing. Collect your free stamp card from the Gift Shop, find the boxes around our Blue Walk and choose your prize from the selection at our Gift Shop. A fun trail for younger visitors and a great excuse for a walk!
NATURE CHALLENGE COMPETITION
Our Quiz Trail for older children and adults (collect your card from the Gift Shop). Find the answers to the Quiz on the flora and fauna signs around the walks and enter our draw to win £100 in Marks and Spencer vouchers.
CUTE & CUDDLY ANIMAL SHOW
Meet the cuddly Becky Falls residents, from fluffy bunnies and guinea pigs to Chinese hamsters and naked rats. A lovely show for children and adults alike. On every day during school holidays and weekends only - see our News page for timings.
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS OF THE SCARY KIND
A fun and informative show featuring animals of the not so cuddly kind! See, touch and learn about some exotic creatures not usually found on Dartmoor, including lizards, tarantulas and boa constrictors! Currently performing during school holidays and weekends throughout the year and every day from July to September - see our News page for timings.
ANIMAL FEEDING SESSIONS
Twice-daily animal feeding sessions for both young and older visitors alike. Meet by the wishing well and feed our rabbits, guinea pigs, miniature Shetland ponies and goats. During the season you may be lucky enough to bottle feed some lambs or meet baby chipmunks! Every day during our season.
INDOOR CRAFTS
Try some nature crafts in our Indoor Theatre area - lots of fun whatever the weather. Please note that children must be supervised by an adult during activities.
BLUE Trail
Reasonably flat but with some steep steps and other obstacles such as tree roots that can be a trip hazard. This walk can be completed in approximately 30-40 minutes at a leisurely pace. This walk contains the Childrens’ Nature Trail Competition.
PURPLE Trail
Much more demanding with some steep descents and rocky climbs. Sound footwear is highly recommended. This walk will take approximately 45-50 minutes to do the full circuit (avoiding the short cut). This walk contains the Main Falls and also a Wildlife Discovery Trail Competition.
BOULDER CLAMBER
ONLY for the fit and well shod. Can be soft in places with many obstacles to negotiate and a tough 200 foot climb from the Lower Falls. This walk will add an extra 30 minutes to the Red Walk. This walk contains the Lower Falls, is the least trodden and can provide good sightings for bird and wildlife enthusiasts.
A tough clamber up, over and down some large boulders. You may get wet! Extra care must be taken when climbing here, as the boulders are usually moss-covered and can be very slippery.
Relax in the licensed Woodland Cafeteria, or on it's terrace overlooking the Becky Brook, where cream teas, snacks and delicious meals are available, with a selection of wonderful locally produced ice creams.
Woodland Cafeteria
The cafeteria is open until half an hour before closing.
HISTORY
Becky Falls first opened to the public in 1903 and has been attracting and inspiring poets, writers, painters and visitors ever since, including Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf, both of whom stayed here. But its history goes much further than that.
Although a very popular destination for Victorian visitors, the Falls have been sought out for centuries. Firstly, by the inhabitants of the local Bronze and Iron Age settlements and medieval villages (the remains of which can still be visited today) who came in search of water, wood and shelter.
The arrival of the railways in the mid 1800's heralded the advent of day visitors to Dartmoor and horse-drawn buses from Bovey Tracey brought tourists via the newly constructed road across the moor, a trip which must have been a source of intense pleasure and wonder as Dartmoor was, until the late 19th century, a wilderness, remote and unknown.
Today's visitors tend to arrive by car or foot (although we're sure many would welcome the return of horse-drawn buses!) but they still come in search of the same woodland valley.
The Becky Falls Woodland Park you see today, aside from the cafeteria/gift shop area, has remained relatively unchanged throughout that time. Some visitors come to see what is often described as one of the most scenic and untouched areas of Dartmoor, a hidden, tranquil valley in which wildlife and woodland thrive. Others bring children to enjoy the exhilarating combination of animals and adventure and to find a traditional setting of rivers and woodland in which to picnic, relax, climb over boulders, get soaked or just to wander in a setting where the past does not seem so far behind. Some come to sit on a carpet of bluebells and ponder a magical, mystical, spiritual place of whispered fables and pixie tales of old to inspire the senses and imagination.
Whatever your reason for coming, you're very welcome and we hope you find what you're looking for at Becky Falls.
HERITAGE
Because of our abundance of rare and endangered flora and fauna, including some extremely rare lichens and fungi, Becky Falls has been designated an SSSI (site of special scientific interest). All of the species that grow and thrive here are protected and we must please ask you not to remove any branches or lichens from the park, or pick any wild flowers that grow here.
Winter opening - 11am to 4pm (last admission 3pm) (weather permitting). In inclement weather, please telephone before setting off to make sure we're open. Reopening for 2009 season on 14th February 2009.
Health and Safety
We endeavour to provide a safe environment for visitors but please remember that the Becky Falls Estate is an ancient woodland with fast flowing rivers and some steep drops. ALWAYS stay on the footpaths and take great care. DO NOT attempt any walk unless you know that you are physically capable of completing it.
Children
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult at all times and must be supervised in all areas of the park, including around the animal enclosures. Please don't allow your children to be on the trails by themselves or to enter the animal enclosures. Unisex baby changing facilities are provided in our toilets (adjacent to cafeteria) and a private area for breastfeeding can be arranged (just ask at the cafeteria). A selection of baby food is available at the cafeteria and we are more than happy to assist with food and bottle warming.
Pushchairs
The blue walk is only partially pushchair-friendly and although some visitors do insist on negotiating this walk with a pushchair, it isn't much fun! We recommend baby carriers, which will allow you to enjoy all three walks. Backpack carriers (for ages 6 months +) and front baby carriers (for ages under 6 months) are available to hire from our cafeteria for a small charge. The red and purple walks are absolutely NOT suitable for pushchairs.
Wheelchairs
None of the walks are suitable for wheelchairs. However wheelchair users can get a glimpse of the top of the Falls from the viewing area and can also access the cafeteria and petting zoo area. Disabled toilet facilities are provided.
Litter bins are provided next to the shop and cafeteria. There are no litter bins on the walks as they represent a hazard to wildlife. Please ensure that all litter is brought back to the cafeteria area and deposited in the bins provided.
Dogs
Dogs are very welcome but must be kept on a lead AT ALL TIMES to ensure the safety of our wildlife. Dog waste bins are not provided on the walks so please ensure that if your dog needs to go it does so off the path and not on it.
If you use a polythene bag to collect your dog's waste, then please DO NOT leave it on the walks. With the exception of guide or hearing dogs, dogs are not permitted in the cafeteria, gift shop or zoo areas.
Photography
Becky Falls Woodland Park provides wonderful opportunities for amateur (and professional) photographers and you are welcome to take photographs.
No commercial use of photographs or video recording is allowed without written permission.
Picnics
Picnic benches are provided at the picnic areas marked on the map. You may also picnic anywhere around the walks where you find a suitable spot. Please ensure that all litter is brought back with you.
Barbecues or any other form of naked flame ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED - these represent a serious threat to the woodland, particularly in the summer.
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