The new owners of the highest waterfall in England, Canonteign Falls near Chudleigh in the Dartmoor National Park, have announced a number of developments for the site.

Mike and Jenny Thomas, who sold their previous business, Newquay Zoo, to Paignton Zoo 18 months ago, have bought the falls from Lord Exmouth and his family, who are retiring.

The site, already a popular visitor attraction, includes a gift shop and tea rooms with an indoor café and outside dining as well as woodland walks and the waterfall itself; which descends vertically for 220ft before running through the ancient woodlands and rocks to a series of lakes below.

The Thomases plan to introduce small farm animals, a children’s activity garden and educational projects including a special feature for disabled visitors.

One of the first projects will be the developing of a Victorian fern garden which has been discovered close to the falls in dense woodland. A recent inspection by botanists identified over 50 species of fern at the site.

The couple also aim to introduce more of the charitable trust activities for disabled people which they introduced at Newquay Zoo.

Prior to running Newquay Zoo, Mike Thomas owned the Seal Sanctuary at Gweek in Cornwall.