Burrator Discovery Centre - South West Lakes
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free walking, tor climbing and wildlife spotting round a reservoir, with a small discovery centre to duck into.
There's no entry fee here, just miles of paths round the reservoir and moorland to wander, and a proper climb if you fancy it. Sheepstor tor is the one to save for the end of the visit, a scramble up rock that pays off with views back over the water. Younger legs or a buggy are better off on the 1.5km easy access wildlife trail, which is flat enough for pushchairs and wheelchairs and still gets you past the spots where bats, birds, bugs and butterflies turn up.
The Discovery Centre itself is small, with displays and films, and it's worth knowing it's run by volunteers so it doesn't always open on the dot. A quick call ahead saves a wasted trip if that's the bit you're planning your day around. Parking is at Quarry, Norsworthy Bridge or the Arboretum car parks, all on a donations basis rather than a fixed charge, which is a nice change from the usual reservoir car park sting.
Dogs are welcome on a lead, and there's a picnic area if you want to make a proper afternoon of it rather than a quick loop. Toilets are on site too. Between the walking, the tor and the wildlife spotting, this is more of a half-day than a quick stop, especially if the kids want to properly explore rather than just tick off the view.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free donations at various car parks (Quarry, Norsworthy Bridge, Arboretum)
- Pushchairs
- Suitable for pushchairs on 1.5km easy access wildlife trail
- Wheelchairs
- Suitable for wheelchairs on 1.5km easy access wildlife trail
- Dogs
- Welcome on a lead
- The Discovery Centre is volunteer-run, so its hours can be unpredictable, ring ahead if you want to guarantee it's open
- Parking is donation-based at Quarry, Norsworthy Bridge and Arboretum car parks rather than a fixed fee
- The 1.5km wildlife trail is the one to pick if you've got a buggy or wheelchair
- Sheepstor tor involves a climb, so it's better suited to kids who can manage a scramble
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Getting in is free. The car parks ask for a donation rather than charging a set fee.
Do we need to book?
No, there's no booking, you just turn up. The Discovery Centre's opening depends on volunteers being around, so it's worth ringing first if that's the main draw.
Is it OK with a pushchair or wheelchair?
There's a 1.5km easy access wildlife trail that's flat and suitable for both.
What is there for kids to actually do?
Walk the trails, climb Sheepstor tor for the views, spot bats and butterflies, and look round the displays and films at the Discovery Centre.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome as long as they're on a lead.
How long should we plan for?
Long enough for a proper walk and the climb up Sheepstor, so most people end up making it a half-day rather than a quick visit.
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