tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78052492222095467602010-04-28T11:26:16.123+01:00These blog pages are about great days out and things to do near our Devon self catering accommodation at Wheatland Farm. They have ideas for fair and foul weather, adventurous walks or gentle ambles, pubs restaurants and cafes, car free days out, and lots more. If you're staying here please do add your comments and help others get the best out of their stay.Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.ukBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-65551407567035657632010-04-28T11:26:00.001+01:002010-04-28T11:26:16.214+01:00

This blog is now located at http://www.devondaysout.wheatlandfarm.co.uk/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://www.devondaysout.wheatlandfarm.co.uk/feeds/posts/default.

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-44503487597783399832010-04-14T15:49:00.009+01:002010-04-18T22:16:47.444+01:00

Here's a beach trip for a day when the walk is part of the fun... This one won't offer you miles of sand, and there are no icecream stalls, but then there aren't many people either (and you can always get an icecream - or a pint- at the pub on the way back). Start your walk at Horn's Cross, on the A39 between Bideford and Buck's Cross. You can get the 315 stagecoach bus from Winkleigh to

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-79527286660858940122009-10-31T22:20:00.002Z2009-11-20T22:27:36.238Z

Belstone Cleave in early autumn - beautiful even if it's raining. Here's what Muttley thought in October 2009..."It was one of those days - the humans weren't all that keen, but I asked in a nice high-pitched dog voice and they agreed. Don't know why they were relunctant - it stopped raining as soon as the walk took us to a bridge and ford. It's the River Taw here, though it's only a stream.

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-79163771691449169542009-09-14T13:54:00.010+01:002009-09-16T18:58:26.718+01:00

Castle Drogo was originally built for self-made retail millionaire Julius Drewe. Designed between 1910 and 1913, it took 20 years to build. Sadly, Drewe died, aged 76, a year after it was completed. The family gifted the house and grounds to the National Trust in 1974. It was the first 20th Century property they took on.Drogo was special because the Edwardian building was designed by Edwin

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-28822182993821245242009-08-15T18:59:00.000+01:002009-08-15T23:02:00.893+01:00

Re-live the last major battle of the civil war in the Cavalier town of Torrington... At Torrington 1646 you'll be guided through a reconstruction of the town on the night of 16 Feb 1646, when the roundheads marched from Exeter and started a night-time battle against the cavaliers, loyal to the King. It ended with the destruction of the church when 80 barrels of gunpowder (Guy Fawkes only had 36)

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-25500044743141066352009-02-17T22:36:00.000Z2009-02-17T21:02:22.728Z

Have you discovered a great day out near here you think we should cover? If so, please tell us about it in a comment.

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-10292438410231069602009-02-05T23:15:00.007Z2009-05-19T19:29:25.485+01:00

If your young kids need to burn off some energy and it's raining, you might want to take them to the Waie Inn in Zeal Monochorum, where there's a 'soft play' centre- the kind with big slides and tunnels, rope bridges etc. It's usually open from 10 until 18:00 and costs £3.50 for a 2 hour session (under ones and adults go free). There's a cafe and plenty of seating. Our kids like the cannons that

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-35549506465868253702009-02-05T23:14:00.006Z2009-03-06T13:37:35.257Z

Not just war toys for boys, this collection of military equipment, some of which is still used in films today, focusses on the second world war and is dedicated to the memory of those who fought in it. The collection ranges from military surplus tanks, guns, helmets, artillery, grenades, and bombs, to Home Front ration books, gas masks, ARP and Home Guard uniforms, and blackout lamps. This is

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-77513598726728093712009-02-05T23:11:00.012Z2009-02-22T21:50:13.981Z

You can get a good taste of Dartmoor around Meldon Reservoir, yet choose how adventurous you want to be. Walk around the reservoir, head for the High Willhayes (the highest point in southern England), walk down to the viaduct or explore the geology of the valley. The area around Meldon is a SSSI. There's a hazel wood with bluebells in spring (and a good population of dormice) just north of the

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-62028125033775106422009-02-05T21:27:00.010Z2009-03-06T13:42:17.130Z

Dartmoor is England's largest wilderness, and on horseback is a fabulous way to see it. Skaigh Stables will take you off the tarmac roads and onto the moor. It's ideal for intrepid and adventurous riders. The scenery varies dramatically, from wild and remote granite tors to gentle purple heather and yellow gorse-covered slopes. You can book a morning or afternoon ride (arrive for 9.40 or 13.40,

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-83342242049545758282009-01-29T22:15:00.005Z2009-02-27T21:26:41.545Z

Just a few miles from our cottage and ecolodges you'll find Bold Try stables, on the outskirts of Chulmleigh. Whether you're a learner like Holly here or a experienced rider, they'll look after you well. They're cheaper than stables on Dartmoor and know lots of local rides. Some of our guests have come back specifically to ride here again. Telephone 01769 580366.But if you do want to ride on

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-30337091560422526812009-01-28T22:13:00.005Z2009-03-27T14:41:14.117Z

Try kayaking on the River Torridge at Bideford. You can hire sturdy kayaks suitable for beginners from Bideford Bicycle Hire and enjoy this part of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve from a completely different perspective. Paddle yourself beneath Bideford's famous Long Bridge or head up stream past saltmarsh and reedbeds towards the iron bridge at Landcross to see this part of North Devon from a '

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-68987846321572542822009-01-28T20:25:00.009Z2009-03-06T13:50:45.080Z

In the city of Exeter you can visit galleries, take a guided tour, admire the Cathedral or just relax in a coffee bar. If you feel the need to return to urban life for a day, Exeter is a good bet for a spot of culture. And if you want to be green you can take the train on the picturesque Tarka Line - Eggesford Station is only about 4 miles away. All the trains have to stop here - a condition

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-60884332635739494962009-01-28T16:02:00.011Z2009-03-13T14:30:17.137Z

This is a good one way walk through a wooded combe and along a fabulous stretch of the South West Coast Path. Take the bus out and walk back....You start this day out from either the bus stop at Winkleigh the bus stop on the Quay at Bideford. After a short journey you'll walk along wooded paths, see Lundy Island out to sea, dip down to a beach, and catch cliff top views. The walk is narrow and

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-33233929332215619832009-01-28T14:33:00.003Z2009-03-06T14:33:33.948Z

The huge beach at Northam Burrows Country Park, near Westward Ho! is about 40 mins drive away. It can be almost empty outside peak season, and even in August there's plenty of room.This picture was taken in October - you can see the miles of sand at low tide. Parking is easy - there's a car park (small charge in the sumer). At the far end of the car park there is a really worthwhile

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-64637456098559208422009-01-28T13:21:00.005Z2009-03-06T14:23:19.916Z

Bude offers some of the closest beaches to us. You can enjoy the sand, go surfing or pick up the South West Coast path for a lovely walk. It's just over the border in Cornwall, but they won't ask for your passport...If you drive to Bude you'll probably end up at Summerleaze Beach, the closest to the town. There's level access from Summerleaze car park. At low tide you can also get here from the

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-26996433541764522972009-01-25T23:41:00.006Z2009-03-27T13:59:59.422Z

Halsdon Nature Reserve is one of the nearest of the Devon Wildlife Trust's reserves to Wheatland Farm. Otters are sometimes to be seen from the hide overlooking the River Torridge, and orchids and bluebells bejewel the woods in spring.The 57 hectare reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with mixed deciduous river valley woodland, riverside meadows, marsh and including 2.4km of the

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-64122902401845398962009-01-23T14:24:00.012Z2009-03-06T14:29:05.333Z

The Tarka Trail between Puffing Billy pub and Yarde Cafe is a lovely woodland walk or cycle crossing the Torridge and passing several benches for the trail as part of Sustran's Art in the Travelling Landscape initiative.While the surface isn't as good as other parts of the trail it's still fairly easy going. Bear in mind you're following the Torridge upstream now, so that means gently uphill

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-76286351161102974482009-01-17T01:39:00.012Z2009-03-06T14:42:16.963Z

The National Trust's Finch Foundry is the last working water-powered forge in the country. On one of their regular guided tours you can find out what it really means to have your nose to the grind stone or to be pole axed ...Finch Foundry is in the village of Sticklepath, on the edge of Dartmoor. When it's raining, this will show you what all that water was used for! The leat would originally

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-75479153896510685722009-01-17T01:36:00.009Z2009-03-06T14:46:30.070Z

This gently down-hill walk or ride crosses the Torridge at Beam Weir, made famous in Henry Williamson's book Tarka the Otter, before meandering along the valley, through a long tunnel, across another bridge and into the former station at Bideford, where there's a cafe in an old railway carriage. Cross Bideford's famous long Bridge and come back on the bus...Getting there:Either drive or take the

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-33500121098373234222009-01-16T13:41:00.023Z2009-03-09T22:58:52.009Z

This is an easy going walk (or cycle) with options to explore part of the South West Coast Path and detour around a nature reserve. You'll end up at Fremington Quay cafe, which was voted 17th in the Independent Newspaper’s 50 Best Cafes in the UK 2006 - the only one in North Devon.Getting there (for a walk):Either take the 315 bus from Winkleigh, or drive to Instow and use the pay and display

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-16995890746124326262009-01-14T21:32:00.015Z2009-03-09T23:05:14.816Z

Walk or cycle from Barnstaple to Fremington Quay on the Tarka Trail, and enjoy an ice cream at the cafe and museum. You get fabulous views out over the mouth of the Taw River, see beautiful butterflies and flowers in summer, enjoy easy walking and a lovely cafe at the end. You can hire bikes at Barnstaple Station or at Fremington, and this level tarmac path is ideal for children. The down side

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-29999202511479651082009-01-13T21:46:00.014Z2009-03-09T23:12:13.349Z

This is why we call it the big tree walk! This douglas fir was planted around 1840 and is to be found in the Heywood Forestry Commission woodland about 4 miles from Wheatland Farm. This is an easy going walk which you can do with a push chair. But it's better if you can cope with a scramble because then you can get down to the River Taw and climb to the top of a Norman Motte and Bailey castle.

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-70679425116995144052009-01-09T13:28:00.021Z2009-03-09T23:27:45.433Z

Lydford Gorge is the deepest gorge in the south west of England, with the White Lady waterfall tumbling 30m (90ft). It's been voted the No. 1 most romantic spot in Devon and Cornwall. Ledgend says anyone who falls into the Lyd who sees a woman in white with long flowing tresses standing in the waterfall will not drown! The main attraction of this National Trust property is its grounds and a

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7805249222209546760.post-89782688022097557902008-11-21T21:17:00.010Z2009-03-13T13:36:49.253Z

RHS Rosemoor is just 11 miles from our cottage and lodges, and makes a relaxing day out, or you can combine it with other attractions in nearby Torrington (walks, Dartington crystal, Torrington 1646, The Plough Arts Centre). You can get there by bus from Winkleigh - the 315 service stops right at the gate.See formal and rose gardens, a potager, the vegetable plot, a foliage and a plantsman's

Maggie Watsoninfo@wheatlandfarm.co.uk1