Name: Canonteign Falls
Rating: 5.0

Canonteign Falls

Canonteign Falls, Exeter, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Canonteign Falls is a stunning natural attraction in the heart of Devon, known for its peaceful landscapes, waterfalls and family-friendly environment. It offers visitors a chance to explore 90 acres of ancient woodland, lakes and gardens while enjoying fresh air and scenic views. The site is also home to the highest waterfall in Dartmoor National Park, making it a unique destination for nature lovers.

Visitors can enjoy walking trails including the Waterfall Walk, explore the Victorian Fern Garden, and discover lakes such as Lily Lake, Swan Lake and the Lower Lakes. Activities include adventure playgrounds with trampolines, wooden galleon, zip wire and mini assault course, alpaca experiences, orienteering-style exploration, the Green Ship, labyrinth, bee garden and spotting fairies along the trails. Additional experiences include picnicking, wildlife spotting and relaxing at the café.

Day ticket prices range from £8.75 for children to £16.50 for adults, with concessions slightly lower and family tickets available from £32 to £48.50. Annual memberships range from £26 for children to £48 for adults, with family options at £140. Birthday packages start from £7.50 per child and go up to £15 per child depending on inclusions such as lunch boxes and activity trails.

Overall, Canonteign Falls offers a perfect mix of nature, adventure and relaxation for all ages. With its waterfalls, gardens, play areas and unique activities, it provides both fun and tranquillity in one place. It is an ideal destination for families, nature lovers and anyone looking to escape into a beautiful countryside setting.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

The Waterfalls: Natural waterfalls have been a feature of the Canonteign Estate for generations, but the existing Lady Exmouth falls are the product of a kindhearted notion in Victorian times. In the 1880s, the silver and tin mines which had made this part of Devon very prosperous were under threat of closure. Lady Susan, wife of the third Lord Exmouth, hated to think of the miners losing their only source of income, and came up with a project to occupy them. She decided to create a spectacular waterfall for the Estate.
The Victorian Fern Garden: This mysterious and atmospheric garden appears almost lost in time, explore its cascading stream and National Collection of ferns in this magical hanging valley. Canonteign’s Fern Garden is a magnificent example of the Victorian obsession with ferneries. Tucked away in a hanging valley, high above the Estate, the full extent of the garden itself wasn’t even discovered until 2009 – and then only by chance. Heavy snowfall exposed an elaborate fernery planted in a quarry-like area through which the original waterfall stream still flows.
Walks: There are many pathways weaving through Canonteign’s 90 acres of ancient woodland and meadows, perfect for you to create your own favourite walks. We have three trails for newcomers to explore, designed to provide something for all ages and abilities. The Waterfall walk takes you up through the Secret Garden and the Victorian Fern Garden to the Lady Exmouth Falls and back down to the Lily Lake, adventure playground and bee garden. This is rocky and steep, and takes around an hour to complete the loop.
Adventure Playgrounds: Canonteign Falls is the perfect place for adventure and exploration for families of all ages. Alongside the walking trails, waterfalls and lakes there are a number of play areas to suit all ages, from little ones to pre-teens. Our Children’s Play Area includes a huge wooden galleon, the “Indefatigable”, named after the Estate’s owner Admiral Pellow’s most famous ship. Perfect for budding sailors – or pirates – it’s a great place for make-believe and scrambling about over the climbing walls, slide poles and rope ladders.

Facilities

Parking: Free parking available.
Food & Drinks: Canonteign Kitchen serves homemade food which champions local produce. Discover our breakfast baps, seasonal lunches, homemade cakes, Devonshire and afternoon cream teas, Barista coffee, and special children’s menu.

What to see

Lakes

Lily Lake with its beautiful pagoda sits in the centre of the site, surrounded by rhododendrons. It’s home to some spectacular waterlilies and an abundance of wildlife including ducks, Canada geese and kingfishers. Sit outside the cafe and take it all in or walk around the edge to find hidden viewpoints and more secluded spots.
Swan Lake sits to the west of the cafe and used to be home to a group of rare black swans which were introduced to England from Australia, around the time Canonteign House was built in 1816. Just past this lake, you’ll find our Green Ship – inspired by the Quentin Blake book. Children are invited to climb and explore on its lifesize deck. The rest of the ship is a garden planted with aromatic herbs and shrubs, making a wonderful natural playground.
The Lower Lakes offer a complete contrast, created in the late 1990s by the current Lord Exmouth, these sheltered, sunny meadows are home to a series of interlocking lakes, where you can wander beside the water, over bridges and among the wildlife. Cross the wide expanse of grassland to Poets’ Corner beneath the ancient oak tree, and find the circle of standing stones at the very edge of the Estate.

Activities

Alpaca Experience: We are excited to offer special Alpaca experiences in the school holidays starting this Easter you can see the dates below. These Experiences sell out so booking early is advisable. If you love Alpacas, your not going to want to miss this opportunity.
Zip Wire and Mini Assault Course: Our 30m zip wire is a firm favourite with our younger visitors. Zoom through the air on this flying fun adventure! Combine this with a timed race around our mini assault course where you can practise your climbing, swinging and balancing skills on the various obstacles on offer. Suitable for children from 5-12 years.
Quentin Blake inspired Green Ship: Sailing on the banks of the Lily Lake is a wooden replica of Quentin Blake’s Green Ship. Below our bee garden and assault course, this ship is located within a short walk of our café and children are invited to climb and explore on it’s life-size deck. The vision for the ship is as a garden with planting plans including aromatic herbs and shrubs which, along with other greenery, will make a fabulous natural playground for children and adults to enjoy.
Labyrinth: Canonteign Falls is the site of world-renowned Maze artist Adrian Fisher’s latest Labyrinth. Seven paved rings have been set into the grass overlooking the Devon countryside to mark the owners Chris and Kate Baylis’s 60th birthdays. In it’s centre is a polished stainless steel mirror disc Torus by the artist David Harber. Children will love to explore its pathways and run around its rings to make it to the centre!

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Day tickets

Adults: £16.50 (age 16+ yrs)
Adult Concessions (Students /Seniors 65+/Carers): £15.50
Children: £8.75 (age 4-15 yrs) under 4 s free
Child Concessions ( proof of PIP)- £7.75: Adult carers will qualify for an adult concession ticket.
Family Day Tickets: £48.50 (2 adults & 2 children, extra child £7)
1 Adult + 2 children ticket: £32 ( extra child £7)

Annual Membership Tickets

Adult Members Ticket (16+ yrs): £48
Adult Concession* Members Ticket Students/ Seniors 65+/ Carers: £45
Child Members Ticket (4-15 yrs): £26
Child Concession* Members Ticket (must show proof of PIP): £25
Family Members Tickets: £140 (2 Adults and 2 children 4-15 yrs) (extra child £15).
Under 4s free entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.canonteignfalls.co.uk/prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Canonteign gives children the opportunity to roam free and explore. With adventure playgrounds, complete with trampolines, wooden galleon, zip wire and mini assault there is plenty of activities to keep children busy. Our children’s activity trail will take them on a trail of discovery, children adore the challenge of the steps up to the waterfalls, spotting our resident fairies and Terence the T-Rex along the way.

BRING YOUR OWN – If you don’t need any food provided, you can use our party rate of £7.50 per head per child with two adults free additional adults are also charged at £7.50. You’re welcome to use the café outdoor seating or we have plenty of picnic areas.
FULLY-CATERED – If you’d like a stress-free day, then why not book a lunch box. Each child will receive a kid’s lunch box which includes a sandwich (choice of ham or cheese), crisps, chocolate bar and a carton of fruit juice. These need to be booked in advance and will be available for collection at a time to suit you. Birthday cakes can be provided at an extra charge or you are welcome to bring your own and we are happy to store it until you need it.

For groups of 10 children or more

Child Entry – £7.50 per head
Child Entry + Lunch Box – £14.00 per head
Child Entry + Lunch Box + Children’s Activity Trail with prize – £15 per head
2 adults are included free of charge, additional adults will be charged at £7.50 a head.

Open daily 10am - 4pm.

Address: Canonteign Falls, Exeter, UK

Post Code: EX6 7NT

Council: Teignbridge

County: Devon

From the M5/A38 North: Follow signs for Plymouth. Leave the A38 at the Teign Valley exit. Turn right off the slip road and drive over the A38. Take the next right almost immediately signed Dunsford/Teign Valley (the B3193). Drive along this road for 3 miles and follow the brown tourist signs to Canonteign Falls.
From the A38 South: Take the Teign Valley exit and turn left off the slip road. Take the next right almost immediately signed Dunsford/Teign Valley (the B3193) and follow directions above.
From Exeter: Either join the A38 heading south or take the B3212 towards Moretonhampstead, passing through Longdown. Turn left after 2 miles signposted to Christow. When you reach a T junction turn left onto the B3193 signposted Chudleigh. After 3 miles turn right following the brown tourist signs to Canonteign Falls.