Blowing House (Rmns)

The Blowing House is essentially what remains of a tin smelting works from the medieval period - basically a pile of stones and slag heaps near Plymouth that most people drive past without noticing. What you're looking at is the industrial archaeology of tin processing, when this part of Devon was properly important economically. The ruins sit in open moorland, so there's definitely an atmospheric quality to standing among the remains and imagining the furnaces roaring away centuries ago.

Historically-minded visitors will find this genuinely interesting, particularly if you're already exploring Dartmoor's mining heritage. The site doesn't require specialist knowledge - it's just a case of having a poke around and reading whatever information boards are up. Kids might get restless unless they're the sort who enjoy hunting through archaeological sites.

There's no visitor centre or facilities as far as I can tell, so it's a free, informal visit. Allow maybe 30 minutes, though you could stretch it if you're photographing or doing any sketching. The moorland setting means it works well as a waypoint during a larger walk around the area rather than a dedicated destination.

If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes or anywhere near Dartmoor National Park - both just a few miles away - this slots nicely into a day exploring the landscape and its industrial past. The surrounding terrain is proper walking country, so combine it with other moorland spots rather than treating it as a standalone.