The Devon and Cornwall Area

We are centrally placed for visiting Devon and Cornwall, all of which has plenty to offer the visitor for 'places to visit' and 'things to do'. Instow beach is a short walk away, Westward Ho!, Clovelly, Bucks Mills offering safe beaches are no more than a short car journey away. Ideal base for sea trips to Lundy Island from Bideford or Ilfracombe. Dartmoor and Exmoor are also within easy reach.

Instow and Appledore

Instow has a sandy beach, backed by low dunes, at the mouth of the rivers Taw and Torridge. When the tide is out it is very pleasant walking along the beach by the edge of the river Torridge with picturesque Appledore on the opposite side.

The traditional fishing village of Appledore is situated on the River Torridge, home to a picturesque harbour the village still maintains its links with shipbuilding within the privately owned Appledore Shipyards. Alongside the cobbled streets and quaint fishermen's cottages there is a community of artists with galleries of local art and crafts and the village's past is reflected by the location here of the North Devon Maritime Museum.

River cruises can be taken from the Quay at Appledore where there is also a summer ferry across the estuary from Instow, which boasts a thriving yacht club and a long stretch of sandy beach.

Appledore viewed from Instow | click to enlarge The Eden Project | click to enlarge The Eden Project | click to enlarge

Westward Ho!

The name Westward Ho! was born out of Charles Kingsley's imagination. As a child he had lived for several years in Clovelly, where his father was Rector.

Westward Ho! is a popular tourist destination and only a short distance in a car. The large expanse of sandy beach is well known for its pebble ridge, which runs for three miles. Potwalloping is an ancient custom here - the locals all meet on the beach and move the pebbles back onto the ridge to prevent the sea encroaching onto the famous burrows of Northam Burrows Country Park.

Bideford 'The Little White Town'

The Kathleen & May | click to enlarge

Its architecture and historic associations has changed little from when Charles Kingsley lived in the area nearly 150 years ago. Kingsley's statue, located adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre, serves as a permanent reminder of this famous resident and the time he spent here writing part of his well-known novel Westward Ho!

Bideford is both a thriving market town and working port with much to offer visitors to the region. Amongst the many buildings and places of interest you will find the historic covered Pannier Market, dating from 1883, which holds a market every Tuesday and Saturday. Alongside the history you will find modern shopping amenities, a wide choice of bars and restaurants, entertainment and a tremendous range of visitor attractions for the young and not so young! Just up the road is Atlantic Village, a shopping complex selling cut price Designer label goods and fashionable items, outside is a large outdoor children's adventure play area.

Barnstaple

Barnstaple is the centre of the region and is the largest town in North, which has modern shopping and a bustling market. There has been a Pannier and Craft Market held since 1855 in the Pannier Market Hall. There are pretty little alleys and courtyards, as well as the unusual Butchers Row, a line of open fronted shops selling speciality foods from meat and fish to laver and traditional clotted cream.

There are plenty of places for eating, which includes small cosy restaurants, cafes and pubs and with the new off street open area near the museum outside seating.

The town centre is wheelchair friendly with the main street pedestrianised during shopping hours and with drop down kerbs enabling easy access. There is also a shopmobility centre located near the Bus Station which provides the loan of manual and powered wheelchairs.

Clovelly

Clovelly is one of Britains prettiest villages with its cottages lining the famous cobbled streets which lead to a 14th Century Harbour.

Hartland

Hartland has stunning cliff top walks along the South West Coast Path.

Great Torrington

This friendly, welcoming town, set in the heart of rolling, unspoilt green countryside, has become well recognised as an important heritage centre for the history of the 17th century. Torrington has a significant role in the English Civil War, specifically. The Battle of Great Torrington in 1646 marked the end of the Royalist resistance in the West Country. This led to the eventual defeat and execution of King Charles 1. It is also home to Dartington Crystal and RHS Gardens Rosemoor, and the newly opened 1646 Civil War Centre. Tarka Country is on our doorstep.

Holsworthy

Holsworthy is a small market town, situated amidst the rolling green hills of North Devon. There are many natural attractions within a short distance, the rugged cliffs of the Hartland Peninsula, sandy beaches at Bude and nearby Widemouth Bay, the South West Coastal Path, fishing and boating on the Tamar and Roadford Lakes. Holsworthy is an ideal central base for visiting the main attractions of Devon and Cornwall and for discovering Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor.

Stowford Lodge, Langtree, Great Torrington, North Devon, EX38 8NU, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1805 601 540 | Fax: (+44) (0)1805 601 487 | email: info@quayclosecottage.co.uk