Activities

Walking and cycling

There are lots of walks locally. A short but slightly steep walk across the valley affords some amazing views across Devon to Dartmoor. Dartmoor and Exmoor (both about 20 miles) offer excellent walking opportunities as well as riding stables if you fancy a horseback trek. Walking up to the Wellington Monument and Culmstock Beacon are also worth considering.

For those looking for something less demanding, Tiverton Canal provides a lovely level walk, as does the canal basin in Exeter. Why not walk, cycle or boat along the Exeter canal to the Turf Hotel - one of the few pubs in the country not accessible by car.

The costal paths of North and East Devon are within a 50-90 minute drive, Exmouth being 20 miles away and North Devon slightly further. Another of our favourites is the lovely wooded valley walk to Heddon Mouth in North Devon.

There are several off road cycle paths in the area including those from Topsham in Exeter down the estuary to Exmouth, along the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple (bike hire available) and across the Okehampton viaduct.

There are also several National Trust properties nearby including Knightshayes Court , Killerton and Castle Drogo.

Seaside

The East Devon coast is within an hours drive and includes Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, and Seaton.

Croyde Bay on the North Devon coast is 42 miles away and offers excellent surfing / body boarding for those brave enough to venture into the sea, as does Saunton Sands and Woolacombe Bay. For nature lovers Lundy Island is a haven for wildlife and is accessed via a ferry from Ilfracombe (41 miles)

To the south the 'English Riviera' at Torquay is only 35 miles away, and heading north Minehead is 30 miles.

Pubs and Restaurants

There are several pubs and restaurants locally, the closest being the The Ring of Bells in Cheriton Fitzpaine and the Cadleigh Arms at Cadleigh (3 miles) both serving good food and local ales. Others include the award winning The Lamb Inn at Sandford, Nessie's Bistro in Crediton, the Ruffwell Inn just the other side of Thorverton. And for lunch there is the Yearlstone Vineyard which has lovely views across the Exe Valley. Although a little further afield, if you want a real treat the Michelin star restaurants at The Masons Arms, Knowstone or Gidleigh Park, Gidleigh (booking required) come highly recommended.

Leisure and sports facilities

There are leisure facilities (including swimming pool) in both Crediton (6 miles) and Tiverton (9 miles).

6 miles away is the 18 hole Downes Crediton Golf Club who welcome visitors, and there are 9 hole 'pay to play' golf courses ate Newton St Cyres and Copplestone.

Fishing at the spring fed Creedy Lakes near Crediton has been highly recommended by our guests, they offer assistance to disabled angler on request. Fly fishing is available at The Fox and Hounds Country House, at Eggesford (20 miles), who have their own on-site fly fishing school.

LINKS

Activities and Leisure:

South West Coastal Path (http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/day-walks/family-walks/)

Heart of Devon (http://www.heartofdevon.com/)

National Trust (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/places/find-a-place-to-visit/?findPlace=devon)

Exeter Cathedral (http://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/)

Lords Meadow Leisure Centre, Crediton (http://www.middevonleisure.org.uk/centres/lords-meadow/)

Downes Crediton Golf Club (http://downescreditongc.co.uk/)

Newton St Cyres Golf (http://www.newtonstcyres.com/nscg/index.php)

Creedy Lakes (http://www.creedylakes.com/the_lakes.htm)

Food:

Thornes Farm Shop (http://www.thornesfarmshop.co.uk/)