Local Area...
Hartland Village
Hartland is a small village with a narrow high-street with church, parish hall and delicate square. Spoilt for pubs with three, all serving food and drinks and all with a good atmosphere and popular with locals and visitors. There is also a British Legion serving drinks, a local shop, a post office, fish and chip shop and café.
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Hartland Quay
If you are staying at Little Orchard, this is within walking distance, following the breath-taking coastal path brings you straight to the Hartland Quay, along this walk you will see waterfalls, panoramic coastal views with wildlife all around you. There you will find the Hartland Quay Hotel with the Wreckers pub serving food and drinks, along with a gift shop, ice cream, and toilet facilities. The Quay is famous for it's dramatic panoramic coastline views where much filming has been done like Top Gear, Rebecca and more recent Game of Thrones prequal House Of Dragons!
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Speke's Mill Mouth Waterfall
If you are staying at Little Orchard, this is within walking distance, one of the most popular waterfalls in North Devon, Speke's Mill Mouth. It is located in a stunningly beautiful area of hanging valleys and high cliffs, where seabirds swoop and wildflowers flourish on the clifftops. Milford Water falls 48 metres in three steps, from the edge of the cliffs to the rocky beach below.
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Docton Mill Gardens & Tea Rooms
If you are staying at Little Orchard, this is located at the bottom of the road, our neighbours! This award winning gardens and tea rooms was voted best tea room and cream tea in North Devon at the North Devon Food & Drink Awards. Gold medal winner at the Devon County Show. Serving cream teas, light lunches and salads.
Entrance includes a river walk with displays of wild flowers, a bog garden, extensive herbaceous borders, woodland garden, magnolia garden and greenhouse.
EX39 6EA
www.doctonmill.co.uk
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Hartland Point
Hartland Point is where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic Ocean, and the currents are so fierce as a result that the Romans used to call the point 'The Promontory of Hercules.' The lighthouse stands here keeping watch over treacherous waters that have claimed many a ship over the centuries. The rusty wreckage of the Johanna is still visible where she ran aground on the rocks far below more than 30 years ago.
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Lundy Island
Although only three miles in length, and half-a-mile wide, Lundy Island offers a fantastic day trip, with stunning walks, listed buildings and wildlife often compared to that of Galapagos.
Visitors can travel to Lundy by ferry on a delightful 1958 vessel which retains many original brass and wooden fittings providing comfortable heated saloons, a bar, buffet, a gift shop and information desk. In fine weather there is plenty of space on deck, and if you are lucky you may see a playful pod of dolphins who often enjoy following the ship.
The ship sails at least three times a week from either Bideford or Ilfracombe, the crossing takes about 2 hours each way, allowing plenty of time to explore the island. You can even take a helicopter ride over from Hartland's Heliport.
www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/
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Hartland Abbey & Gardens
The famous Hartland Abbey features in many films, TV period dramas and TV shows, and is open for you to look around their stunning grounds and gardens. There is a private beach walk and also a tea rooms serving lunches, cream teas and cakes. Please note access to the tea rooms is only available to guests who have purchased entry to the grounds and gardens. Dogs are welcome on leads.
EX39 6DT
www.hartlandabbey.com
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Clovelly
The picturesque, ancient, fishing village of Clovelly is uniquely special and was once owned by the Queen of England. Clovelly is in private ownership and you pay to enter the village. The admission charge includes parking, the must-see film of the village history, two museums, Clovelly Court Gardens and a contribution to the preservation of this very special private estate. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Parking is at the top of the hill next to the Heritage Centre as traffic is banned from the high street. There is a Land Rover service which ferries visitors up and down via a back road, for those not wishing to negotiate the steep hill on foot. This service takes visitors as far as the Red Lion beside the harbour. At one time, donkeys used to be used to take visiting tourists down into the village, but these have now been retired.
There is a souvenir shop, you will see skilled craftsmen creating beautiful silks and pottery, two museums, Kingsley Museum and Fisherman’s Cottage. You can also book a tour guide via their website. There are two hotels, the 400 year old New Inn, and the C18th Red Lion on the quay, which provide delicious lunches, dinners and Devon cream teas. There is the Quay Shop at the harbour for take-aways and boat trips are available to take you along the dramatic coastline.
EX39 5TL
www.clovelley.co.uk
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Bideford
Bideford is a town with a rich history and a real home-from-home vibe. With many picturesque river views, great pubs, cafes, and fish & chip shops lining The Quay, it’s easy to see why it is a family favourite. There is a beautifully landscaped town park at its centre, Victoria Park, which is home to a fabulous outdoor playing area for young children that includes a large paddle pool (summer only). Most of the shops can be found on three main town streets: High Street, Mill Street and Grenville Street, including many craft shops, some high street shops and local produce.
Bideford is also home to the popular designer outlet, Affinity (formerly Atlantic Village) which is brilliant for picking up a bargain with many well known High Street brands. The town straddles both banks of the River Torridge, linked by the old bridge, a sight to behold in itself. On the East-the-Water side, on the far bank, you can pick up the Tarka Trail which is a popular walking and cycling route snaking for nearly 100 miles around the North Devon region. Bideford is 2 miles upstream from the Atlantic coast at Westward Ho!, while the confluence at Appledore and Instow is another great hub of activity for those in search of sunny pints and fine food.
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Westward Ho!
A wonderful day out for the whole family, this is the largest sandy beach in the area and when the tides out you can also access the sea pool!
Westward Ho! is a lovely beach resort with cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, crazy golf, go karts and an amusement centre for the kids, but also has watersports, surf hire, surf school, a large golf course and horse riding. A great day out no matter what the weather, worth the 30 minute drive there.
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Instow
A lovely small village next to Westward Ho! with a beautiful large dog friendly sandy beach. Its on the estuary where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet so you will see it as the tides in and out throughout the day. This is also where you can pick up the famous Tarka Trail, by foot or bike the long trail is a great day out, the trail is right behind the large pay-go car park.
Some superb beach front restaurants can be found here, well worth a visit but make sure you book as they get very busy during peak times.
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Bude - Cornwall
The seaside resort Bude is a must visit and just a short 30 minute drive away. Home to two amazing sandy beaches with a large sea pool it's great for surfing and other water sports. There are many small independent shops and boutiques including fashion, art galleries, surf shops, antiques, crafts and gifts. There are some amazing pasty shops serving delicious hot Cornish pasties a must when visiting Cornwall! There are many cafes, bars and places to eat after a day of perusing the shops or enjoying the beach.