We are conveniently located for a number of activities within a 15 minutes walk. These include:

• Portmore Golf Park (visitors welcome)
• Tarka Leisure Centre with 25m and 20m sized swimming pools and other facilities (pay-as-you-go)
• Tennis at the Tarka Leisure Centre (pay-as-you-go)

We are directly on Sustrans Route 3 (locally the Tarka Cycle Trail) from Land's End in Cornwall to Bristol.

The Tarka Cycle Trail is part of NCN Route 3 Land's End to John o' Groats via Bristol and NCN Route 27 Devon Coast to Coast. Both routes are easily accessed 100 yards from the property. Route 3 is the old train line below the bridge and connects to Route 27 on either the Iron Railway Bridge or the Taw Bridge.

Additional information can be found here:

• Land's End to John o' Groats [Wikipedia]
• Devon Coast to Coast [Sustrans]
• West Country Way (Bristol to Bude) [Sustrans]

We provide safe storage for your bicycles. You can hire bycicles next to the train station Tarka Trail Cycle Hire (seasonal opening times) and other places along the Tarka Cycle Trail.

Lundy Island

A day trip to Lundy Island. The ship sails from Bideford and Ilfracombe depending on tides with a bus transfer between ports available (see 2024 timetable). A Winter helicopter service is available near Hartland Point.

Exmoor Coaster

A open top bus hop on and off ride between Lynmouth and Minehead (in Summer between Ilfracombe and Minehead).

RHS Garden Rosemoor

Rosemoor Garden is located near Torrington (about a 30 minutes drive). For RHS members, entry (plus one guest) is free. It covers a large expanse and has a plant shop, visitor centre, restaurant and tea room. Allow a few hours to visit there.

Watersmeet

Park for free on Hillsford Bridge National Trust car park and walk towards Watersmeet and continue further to either Lynmouth or Rockford. This walk has opportunities to shorten or lengthen the distance.

Lynton via Valley of the Rocks

Park for free at Woody Bay car park and walk along the small and usually not busy road to Lee Bay, Lee Abbey and Lynton. You can avoid the road between Lee Bay and Lynton. Alternatively you can walk down to Woody Bay and immerse yourself in Colonel Lake’s failed vision of a grand tourist resort. The scenery is unique.

Hunter’s Inn

Walk from Woody Bay car park. Park for free at Woody Bay car park and walk down to Hill towards Woody Bay until turning onto the costal path on your left. Stop over at Heddon’s Mouth. From there it is an easy walk to Hunter’s Inn where you can get refreshments and return via the upper path (Colonel Lake's carriageway) back to Woody Bay. This walk can be strenuous.

The walk from Hunter’s Inn to Heddon’s Mouth is gentle. There is limited free parking at Hunter’s Inn in addition to a National Trust car park (free for members).

Lanacre Bridge

Park near and walk to Withypool. There you will find the Royal Oak Inn and a good but seasonal Withypool Tearoom. You can make this a round trip by walking back via Kitridge Lane. Lanacre Bridge makes a good picnic spot in summer although you won’t be the only ones.

A challenging walk from Withypool to the Tarr Steps

This leds you along the river Barle. Rest at the Tarr Farm Inn next to the Tarr Steps clapper bridge. You can also park at Tarr Farm (pay car park) and enjoy the area with a some gentle strolls along the local paths.

Visit Horner Wood

Horner Wood is near Porlock including Webber's Post. Use the National Trust pay car park at Horner or free parking at Webber's Post.

Bossington near Porlock.

Use the pay car park at National Trust Bossington. Alternatively, there is limited free parking at Allerford.

National Trust's Arlington Court estate and house.

Park on street for free at Loxhore and walk the grounds. In order to see the house and formal gardens, you will need purchase a ticket (free for members). You can park directly at Arlington Court (pay car park, free for National Trust members) with easy access to the grounds, house and gardens.

Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe beaches

Both beaches have convenient but expensive pay car parks. There is a free car park for National Trust members in Croyde with access to the beach or to walk the Baggy Point headland. Outside the season you may park free at North Walk in Woolacombe and walk towards Putsborough along the three mile beach.

Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows

… both with pay car parks. You can walk towards Crow Point. You can also park at Crow Point using the tool road (£2.50 at the time of writing). When walking the Braunton Burrows keep track of your path to find your way out.

Walk to Clovelly

Park at the smallish Brownsham National Trust car park for free (donations welcome) and walk to Clovelly (passing Clovelly Court Gardens). This can be a circular walk (ca 6 miles).

Barnstaple and the wider area has a good selection of places to east ranging from simple tea rooms to decent restaurants. We assembled a small selection of recommendations below.

St Johns Garden Centre's Conservatory Cafe

walking distance serving breakfast, lunches and tea.

The Vine

at Venn Valley Vineyard near Landkey (3 miles). Breakfast, Lunches and good Coffee. Also Sunday Lunches.

Jack Russel Inn

in Swimbridge (4 miles) is the for a relaxed evening meal. Also Steak and Burger Nights.

Fox and Goose

Paracombe (14 miles) with a small but tasty selection food (maybe South African specials). It’s a bit out of the way, but can be combined it with walks on Exmoor. Book ahead on weekends and during high season.

Pyne Arms

in East Down (9 miles) Award winning pub with good food. Book ahead.

Castle Inn

in Landkey (2 miles). The food is traditional pub grub. Check the food service times before you go.

Cedars Inn

lively, with a large beer garden and traditional pub grub in Barnstaple (3 miles)

Fish and Chips

the Pelican in Bickington (2 miles) or the famous Squires in Braunton (7 miles). Both do sit-in and take away.