Local Attractions
North Devon has many attractions which are easily accessible from Hartland Forest. The Cornish boarder is only 4 miles away hence making much of Cornwall within a day's return trip.
Local, Walks Cycle rides, Gardens Towns, Family amusements, Beaches, Activities
Activities
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Golf Play a round of golf a the Hartland Forest Golf Club. This on-site facility is 18 hole, par 71, and offers skills at all levels with is water hazards and slopes. Golf clubs, trolleys and buggies can be hired at the golf shop where drinks are also available. The cost (2008 prices) are |
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Horse Riding Gooseham Barton Riding Stables are about 20mins away in the village of Morwenstow. Click here for further details www.gooseham-barton.com/htmlpages/riding.html
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Indoor sports Swimming / badminton / five-a-side football / squash / bowls and other activities. Extensive restaurant and bar at Penstowe Manor. The multi-purpose sports hall together with other speciaist facilities will keep everyone wih an interest in sports occupied for many hours. Penstowe Manor is located at the southern side if Kilkhampton Village and is about 6 miles away. Click here for further details. www.penstoweholidays.co.uk Tel. 01288 321354 |
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Sailing - Tamar Lakes The two Tamar lakes are about 10 miles away on a left turn after leaving Kilkhampton Villkage. As well as sailing opportunities on the larger lake the location is ideal for a short walk and for bird watching. Covered observation shelters are provided. Don't forget your camera! The sailing is provided by Upper Tamar Lake Sailing Club. Further details can be obtained by clicking the link below. www.utlsc.org.uk |
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Quad Biking 1.6km of tracks, a huge range of quads and can cater for all ages and skills. All safety gear provided, suitable for children aged 6 and over and, of course, adults revisiting their childhood. They cater for all ages and abilities (6 years and upwards). Boasting the longest track in the Southwest. All body armour and safety gear supplied as standard (with no additional rental fees) Click here to visit www.northdevonquads.co.uk |
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Visit Lundy Island Clearly visible from much of the north Devon coast this 3 ½ mile long by ½ mile wide granite island is well worth a visit. Activities on the island (depending on time of year) include walking, diving, climbing, birdwatching, fishing, snorkelling, photography, and painting. MS Oldenburg is Lundy's own ship and sails from Bideford Quay (and Ilfracombe). She has heated saloons, bar, buffet, shop and information centre. Please phone 01271 863636 for further details, cost and sailing times or visit their website by clicking on the link below. |
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Paintball and LASER games Suitable for families (minimum ages apply) groups and individuals who can join running games. Free tea coffee and juice all day. Lunch included. Played in 20 aces of ancient woodland. Click on the link or phone 01271 858279 www.survivalpaintball.com |
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Bradworthy Transport Museum Over 100 historic vehicles comprised of lorries, vans, cars, motorcycles tractors and farm equipment datig back to 1914. www.bradworthy-transport-museum.co.uk
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Walking and Cycling
Devon is blessed with many lanes and footpaths. There are too many to provide individual routes but here are a selection.
Walking suggestions.
- Park at Morwenstow and take the circular route (about 2 - 3 miles but very steep in places) along the coast path returning through the valley along the stream. OS Explorer map 126
- Park at Stoke Church then take a circular route - about 5 miles - to Hartland Key, then south along the well signed coast path passing two spectacular waterfalls returning through Kernstone Cross. This walk is detailed in the 'Short Walks in Devon' guide but - in reverse. OS Explorer map 126. It is well worth extending the walk by following the stream to Docton Mill - (see gardens), where you can indulge in their excellent Carrot cake with a welcome cup of coffee.
- Park in Bude, then travel north along the coast path to Sandymouth beach and return along the wide sandy beach. (This is dependent on the tide - check tide tables as this may only accessible for 1 hour either side of low tide). OS Explorer maps 111 and 126
- Park at the sourthern end of Bude then follow the coast path south to Salthouse, follow the footpath to A39 then follow the Bude canal returning to Bude. (About 5 miles but fairly flat). OS Explorer map 111
- A more ambitious walk is to park at Morwenstow, then walk along the coast path to Bude returning by bus. Check times as there is only a very limited service.
- Refer to OS Explorer maps 126 for a 7 mile circular walk starting at the car park near Bucks Mill (grid ref 359233) walk east (very steep in places) then cross the A39 at Horne Cross then follow the footpath back.
- See the cottage used in the BBC production 'Sense & Sensibility'. Park at Stoke Church grid ref. 235247 and walk down the valley in NW direction. You will pass the cottage as you approach the coast. It is necessary to retrace to cross the stream than a steep walk up the hill to the cliffs to Hartland Key. About 2 - 3 miles for the full circuit.
As with the walking guide there are too many possible cycle routes to mention but here is a flavour.
The following 5 routes are detailed in the AA guide - 'Pub walks and Cycle Rides' Devon and Cornwall.
- Camel Trail. Edmonton to Padstowe. Map OS Explorer 106 This follows the well surfaced former railway line along the river estuary. Start at the Quarryman Inn grid ref. SW 964727. About 10 miles to Padstow.
- Camel Trail. Dunmere to Wadebridge. Map OS Explorer 109. Start near the Borough Arms at the Camel Trail car park grid ref. SX 047675. It is about 10 miles along the former railway line to Wadebridge. By passing through the town you can rejoin the Camel Trail to continue to Padstow.
- Tarka Trail. Braunton to Barnstable. This is described as a gentle ride along the Taw estuary from historic Braunton to Barnstable's old quayside. Map OS Explorer 139. Start at Braunton car park (contributions) grid ref. SS486365 and follow the former railway line for about 11 miles into Barnstable.
- Tarka Trail. Instow to Barnstable. Map OS Explorer 139. Start Instow car park (fee) grid ref. SS 472303 and follow the level former railway line to Barnstable. About 13 miles.
- Tarka Trail . Great Torrington to Bideford. Map OS Explorer 126. Start at the car park on Great Torrington Common grid ref. SS485193. Follow the former railway track to Bideford.
Bike hire. Torridge Cycle Hire 01805 622633, Bideford Cycle Hire, East-the-Water, 01237 4241123. Biketrail, Fremington Quay, 01271 372586. Otter Cycle Hire 01271 813339. Tarka Trail Cycle Hire, Barnstable, 01271 324202. Camel Trail Cycle Hire, Wadebridge, 01208 814104.
For the more ambitious cyclist, SUSTRANS have created a number of cycling routes. The West Country Way is a 240 mile quiet road / traffic free path route linking Bristol to Padstow. This is part of the National Cycle Network designated route 3. Similarly the Devon Coast to Coast links Ilfracombe to Plymouth on route 27.
Click the link to visit the Sustrans website. www.sustrans.org.uk
Gardens
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Eden Project Here you will find crops, landscapes and wild plants which reflect the amazing diversity of our planet. There's also internationally famous architecture and art which draw inspiration from nature; and a stage on which people working to make our world a better place can tell their stories. Ten years ago this place was a barren, exhausted china clay pit. Now its massive Biomes (one of which is the biggest greenhouse in the world) and millions of plants bear witness to what can be achieved by a can-do attitude and the tenacity of the human spirit. Eden is as potent a symbol of hope for the future as you could find anywhere on earth. The Eden Project is an educational charity. Click on the link to their website. |
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Lost Gardens of Heligan. Located near St Austell, the Tremayne family cultivated this garden for their own and the local community needs between 1770 and 1914. After decades of neglect during the twentieth century the gardens and estate have now been restored. A sub-tropical Jungle valley is currently under development. Click on the link to their website. |
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RHS Gardens Rosemoor. Located 1 miles south of Great Torrington on the A3124. Highlights include:- Over 2000 roses. Three model gardens. Herb garden. Herbaceous borders. Cottage garden. Woodland walks. Aboretum |
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Docton Mill Gardens. A short drive (3 miles) towards Milford takes you to these spectacular restored gardens. See narcissi in spring, the stream runs between bluebells and wild garlic. Extensive herbaceous borders all year round. See the summer display of roses and 25 varieties of magnolia. Do visit the tearoom and try the delicious selection of sandwiches and cakes. Voted Best Cream Tea in Devon, at the 2007 North Devon Food & Drink Awards. Click on the link to their website. |
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