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Devon & Southwest

North Devon - Local Places of Interest and Activities

Thatched Cottage The Villages of North Devon - Spend the day amongst the scenic and contrasting villages of the North Devon Coast. Visit Appledore, a fishing village of olde world charm. Croyde Bay, where the village nestles in a sheltered combe, with thatched cottages and a stream that follows the main street.
$Ifracombe Bay$ Ifracombe, with its unique tunnel beaches and historic harbour, set amidst cliffs and caves. Lynton and Lynmouth, both picturesque villages with a host of gift shops and tea rooms to explore and a unique water operated cliff railway that links Lynton to Lynmouth 900 ft below.

Arlington Court - Intimate and intriguing Regency house with interesting collections, set in extensive estate. At its centre stands the home of Miss Rosalie Chichester, who lived here for 84 years until 1949. Crowded with treasures amassed from her travels, the house contains model ships, tapestry, pewter and shells. The stable block houses one of the best collections of 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles in the country and offers carriage rides around the grounds. The gardens are largely informal but include a small Victorian garden with conservatory and ornamental pond, leading to a partially restored walled kitchen garden. Wonderful walks take in historic parkland grazed by Jacob sheep and Shetland ponies, leafy woodlands and a lake with heronry and bird hide.

Hartland Abbey & Gardens - located across a narrow, sheltered valley which winds its way to the spectacular Atlantic Coast only a mile away. Within a designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' visitors may wander freely around the beautiful gardens and grounds which lead to the rocky cove. Peacocks and bantams roam at will whilst donkeys and Black Welsh Mountain sheep graze the Old Deer Park. Hartland Abbey is the lived-in family home of the Stucley family. Although it was built in the 12th century, remaining as a monastery for 400 years and passing through the female line three times, it has never been sold. Consequently, it contains collections of pictures, furniture and porcelain which have accumulated over many generations. The story of the Abbey mirrors local and national history at every turn.

South Devon - Local Places of Interest and Activities

Exeter - The Capital of Devon, Exeter is full of history and heritage. The Norman Cathedral dates from 1394, the Guildhall, one of England's oldest municipal buildings, a pub where Drake and Raleigh once drank their ale, a rich variety of museums, theatres and shopping in modern precincts and cobbled streets. Walk the remains of the City Walls and visit the historic quayside.

The Villages of South Devon - Enjoy a visit around the many picturesque villages of East Devon. Branscombe is one of the most relaxing and picturesque of East Devon's many villages. Believed to be the longest village in the country, it sweeps down along a spectacular valley, past colourful cottages down to the sea. There are pretty rows of thatched cottages with hanging baskets and climbing roses, a picturesque dovery and a church with one of the most inspiring views in the county. Honiton is the acknowledged capital of antiques in Devon, with a considerable number of good quality shops specialising in a wide variety of treasures. Closer to Bovey Castle are the delightful and ancient towns of Ashburton and Chagford, which are also worth a browse.

River Dart Boat Trip - Enjoy a boat trip from Dartmouth to Totnes on the very scenic and glorious River Dart. Many of the castles in Devon and Cornwall were built in times of threatened invasions: the earliest include Tintagel, the birthplace of King Arthur, and not very far from Bovey Castle is perhaps the most haunted Castle in England. Devon was also home to dashing Elizabethan seafarers: Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and the Gilberts (discoverers of Newfoundland) whose family still live in Compton Castle today.

Close to Bovey Castle - On the edge of the Castle grounds, a short stroll along the banks of the River Bovey leads you to the quintessential Devon village of North Bovey with a cluster of traditional white-washed thatched cottages set around an historic village green. The Ring of Bells, a charming 13th century inn, offers an extensive selection of local ales and fayre.