Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary

Sunshine brings the butterflies into better flight, but the butterfly house stays hot and humid. It overwinters from November to March; during that stretch, the visit is for the otters. Skip it if you want a wide-open moorland experience or dislike close animal displays.

The entrance is at The Station in Buckfastleigh, beside but separate from the South Devon Railway. There is free all-day parking, small toilets in the attraction building and picnic benches. A café beside the railway booking office and a summer kiosk in the car park are food options; the kiosk sells snacks and ice cream. Paths are gravel, and some otter-pen fences are too high for seated viewing; ask staff for a better vantage point. Dogs cannot enter. Accessible toilets and baby-changing are at the café or on the railway platform.