Devon self catering cottage and eco lodges
Is a car-free holiday right for you?
You can without a car...
We want you to enjoy your holiday in Devon, and car-free isn't necessarily for everyone. So here's a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to give the car a holiday too...
Pros...
- When you arrive and depart without a car we'll collect you from the nearest station (4 miles) or bus stop (1.5miles), as long as you arrange it with us beforehand.
- You can borrow our farm bikes for free (but please bring a decent padlock and your own safety equipment if you plan to use them a lot) or we'll help you hire professionally maintained mountain bikes.
- You can bike or cadge a ride to the bus stop / station and enjoy good value car-free days out to some great places within North Devon. We'll help you with ideas, timetables and maps.
- You don't need the car for shopping - you can order ahead from the farm shop - or even that well-known supermarket - and we'll accept delivery for you.
- If you're holidaying without your car we can usually take you to the excellent village pub once during your stay and collect you afterwards (outside peak season).
- You're being green, and if you just want to relax you don't really need to go anywhere!
Cons...
- We're 1.5 miles from the bus stop and 4 (sometimes hilly) miles from the station. If you don't have a car and a're bringing kids who are not confident cyclists on narrow roads you'll probably need lifts. We can help a bit, but unfortunately can't be a full time free taxi service. There is a local minicab though.
- Although the bus service is pretty good, it's not like being in a city and if you want to go somewhere that requires you to change services, there may be waits involved. (But here are some ideas for doable days out without the car, and you can always take a book!)
- Public transport works best here earlier in the day - you may have to catch the early bus and get back by late afternoon. If you want to go out a lot in the evening, car-free may not be for you.
- The Devon lanes near the farm, with their steep banks and no pavements, are not great places for wheelchair users.
- If it rains, you'll have less freedom of choice for how to spend the day - by no means all Devon's all-weather attractions are accessible without a car.
Kayak on the Torridge... walk parts of the Tarka Trail... get into Exeter for a museum... shop in Bideford or Barnstaple pannier markets... walk a section of the coast path... visit RHS Rosemoor... even re-live the last major battle of the civil war in the Cavalier town of Torrington!
