Sightseeing
For something very different, you could try a day trip to Lundy Island - lots of seals and sometimes dolphins to see - the ship takes passengers over most days either from Ilfracombe or Bideford,
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/
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Lundy
For something very different, you could try a day trip to Lundy Island - lots of seals and sometimes dolphins to see - the ship takes passengers over most days either from Ilfracombe or Bideford,
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/
Arlington Court, a national trust property about 15 mins drive away
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Arlington Court
Arlington Court, a national trust property about 15 mins drive away
The Big Sheep.
Abbotsham RoadLittle ones love this place!
Two Victorian villages separated by a funicular railway - one on the beach and the other on the cliff above.
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Lynton and Lynmouth
Two Victorian villages separated by a funicular railway - one on the beach and the other on the cliff above.
A lovely walk beside the river - if you feel energetic, why not make the hike up to Countisbury then take the coast path down to Lynmouth!
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National Trust - Watersmeet
Watersmeet RoadA lovely walk beside the river - if you feel energetic, why not make the hike up to Countisbury then take the coast path down to Lynmouth!
A picturesque fishing village with a quaint cobbled street and pretty harbour
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Clovelly
A picturesque fishing village with a quaint cobbled street and pretty harbour
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Tranquil gardens in the Torridge valley
Great views along the coast, especially at sunset. A nice walk from Lynton
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Valley of Rocks
South West Coast PathGreat views along the coast, especially at sunset. A nice walk from Lynton
Blow away the cobwebs with a walk along the beach. Drive down the toll road on the Burrows, park at the end and walk around the lighthouse, along the beach and back on the boardwalk.
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Crow Point
Blow away the cobwebs with a walk along the beach. Drive down the toll road on the Burrows, park at the end and walk around the lighthouse, along the beach and back on the boardwalk.
A wild and beautiful part of the coast - my favourite place to escape to!
Park at Hartland Quay and walk south to the waterfall at Spekes Mill Mouth.
Alternatively walk north to Hartland Point.
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Hartland Quay
A wild and beautiful part of the coast - my favourite place to escape to!
Park at Hartland Quay and walk south to the waterfall at Spekes Mill Mouth.
Alternatively walk north to Hartland Point.
An ancient stone bridge, whilst it’s a busy spot, if you walk upstream for 10 minutes there’s a lovely pool in the river that’s good for wild swimming.
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Tarr Steps
An ancient stone bridge, whilst it’s a busy spot, if you walk upstream for 10 minutes there’s a lovely pool in the river that’s good for wild swimming.
Neighbourhoods
Pilton is a village on the edge of Barnstaple and has a different feel. It is reputedly older than the adjacent town and has a maze of narrow lanes around which old cottages cluster. The annual Pilton Green Man Festival is the highlight of the village calendar - http://www.piltonfestival.co.uk/
There is a small park, Rotary Gardens, a stones throw from the cottage if you fancy a stroll. Pilton Park is 5 minutes away on the way into Barnstaple and has a children's playground and jogging route around the perimeter.
If you would like a nice walk from the cottage, head right along Littabourne then up the hill towards the hospital. Just after the new housing development of Raleigh Holt, there is a public footpath on the left hand side which leads down to Mannings Pit, a pleasant meadow by the River Yeo. If you want to stretch your legs a little further, head right over the bridge and follow the path to Plaistow Mill. From there you can either follow a big loop back to the cottage via Coxleigh Barton (north eastwards - about 6 miles in total), or via Ashford (westwards - about 4.5 miles in total).
Pilton
Pilton is a village on the edge of Barnstaple and has a different feel. It is reputedly older than the adjacent town and has a maze of narrow lanes around which old cottages cluster. The annual Pilton Green Man Festival is the highlight of the village calendar - http://www.piltonfestival.co.uk/
There is a small park, Rotary Gardens, a stones throw from the cottage if you fancy a stroll. Pilton Park is 5 minutes away on the way into Barnstaple and has a children's playground and jogging route around the perimeter.
If you would like a nice walk from the cottage, head right along Littabourne then up the hill towards the hospital. Just after the new housing development of Raleigh Holt, there is a public footpath on the left hand side which leads down to Mannings Pit, a pleasant meadow by the River Yeo. If you want to stretch your legs a little further, head right over the bridge and follow the path to Plaistow Mill. From there you can either follow a big loop back to the cottage via Coxleigh Barton (north eastwards - about 6 miles in total), or via Ashford (westwards - about 4.5 miles in total).
Stadsadvies
Vervoersmogelijkheden
Getting around without a car
Barnstaple Train Station is a 25 minute walk away from the cottage. There are regular bus services from the station into the town centre which is a 10 minute walk from the cottage.
In terms of bus services - the No. 9 service stops about 50m from the cottage in Beech Grove. That runs to and from the town centre. The No.21/21A runs around the coast from Ilfracombe to Westward Ho! every 10-15 minutes. The stop for that is in the the town centre about 10 minutes walk away.
Here's a link to local Bus Services:
https://www.traveldevon.info/bus/interactive-bus-map/
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Places to eat in North Devon
Here are our favourite places to eat:
The Boathouse at Instow - https://www.theboathouseinstow.co.uk
The Royal George at Appledore - https://trgpub.co.uk/menu
The Pyne Arms at East Down - https://www.pynearms.com
The Grove Inn at Kings Nympton
https://www.thegroveinn.co.uk
The Farmers Arms at Woolfardisworthy
https://www.woolsery.com
If you fancy decent fish & chips:
https://www.squiresfishrestaurant.co.uk
https://www.pelicanfishandchips.co.uk
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Best Beaches in North Devon
The surfing beaches of Saunton and Croyde are 9/10 miles (20/25 minutes drive away). Personally I like Putsborough which is 11 miles drive; its more sheltered from the prevailing wind and more wild.
A little further away is Woolacombe which is a family friendly beach with facilities.
If you want a family friendly beach that is easy to get to, there is also Instow which is 6 miles (15 min drive) - you can usually park right beside the beach and there are several pubs with reasonable food overlooking the estuary.
All those beaches can be reached by bus too!
Vervoersmogelijkheden
Cycling on the Tarka Trail
If you fancy some gentle exercise, the Tarka Trail is a cycle / footpath that runs both sides of the Taw Torridge Estuary so flat and no cars. Its 5 minutes from the cottage. You can cycle to Instow, on the south side of the estuary, in about 40 minutes, where you can try a delicious local Hockings ice cream. Alternatively Braunton Burrows nature reserve is a 25 minute ride away on the north side of the estuary.
There are a few places that hire bikes locally, including this one near the train station:
https://www.tarkabikes.co.uk