Devon & Southwest
North Devon - Local Places of Interest and Activities
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, 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.
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