Castle Drogo

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 Lutyens.



Lutyens was arguably Britain's greatest 20th century architect. It’s a thoroughly modern castle he designed here – no dungeons! Yet it’s an awe-inspiring piece of design, with touches like interior courtyards to give natural light and internal windows build to suggest an older rambling building that has been built onto. I think my favourite room was the switch room, with all the old fashioned wiring. The wooden fittings in the kitchen, in use up to the 1960s, reminded me of my grandmothers’ house, though hers was somewhat less grand...






The formal garden is one of the highest in England - Drogo is so high that although a fig tree cloaks one of the castle walls, its fruits don't ripen.





But there are plenty of flowers in the borders,and you can play croquet on the enormous circular croquet lawn (hire equipment from the visitor centre - June to September)



But if other people’s grand houses are not your thing, exploring the grounds may be. Drogo is perched high up on the northern fringe of Dartmoor, overlooking the Teign Valley. You can hike down to the river, maybe even walk to popular Fingle Bridge if you’re feeling energetic. The visitor centre sells leaflets with details of walks if you don't trust our own nose. You can't take your dog into the house or the formal gardens, but elsewhere dogs on leads are welcome.




The Trust, of course, has a cafe as well as a shop on site. There are often optional extras such as tours of the roof or boiler rooms (and an explanation of how Castle Drogo is hoping to go carbon neutral) or seasonal trails for children. The house sometimes has a cast of actors explaining what life was like in this Dartmoor mansion.


Winter opening: Castle Drogo grounds and tea room(but not the house) are open at weekends in January and February, and on extra days (sometimes including the house) around the Christmas break

Summer opening: from mid March to the beginning of November Castle Drogo is open most days - check the National Trust website (see below) for details.

Castle Drogo is about 17 miles from our Devon eco lodges and cottage. For more information about events there, see our diary pages.

Castle Drogo
Drewsteignton,
nr Exeter,
Devon EX6 6PB
Telephone: 01647 433306

Find out more, check opening times etc...

Torrington 1646

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) and 200 prisoners went up in flames.

There's a chance to try on 17th Century armour,and find out about how the women and camp followers dressed, how to bow without showing people your lice.... And find out many many uses for urine...



Your kids will love it, and the best bit, if the weather allows, will be joining in with the pike drill and watching the musket being fired (don't worry, it's only tissue paper).





Torrington 1646 is about 13 miles from our Devon eco lodges and cottage - in the town of Torrington. And while you're there, there's the glass factory (which does tours), lots of good walks, and of course the Plough Arts Centre.





Opening times (2009):

Jul and Aug, Mon-Sat, first tour 10:00, last tour 15:00.
Sep, week days only
Oct - Mar closed
half terms - ring for opening times.

Getting there:
Take the A386 to Torrington and park in the South Street car park (well signed). You'll find the entrance to Torrington 1646 in the building that houses the Tourist Information and the Library.

Without the car, take the 315 bus from Winkleigh and get off at the church in Torrington. Walk through the churchyard into the High Street, heading for the Pannier Market, then turn up the hill (South Street) and you'll find the car park and Torington 1646 at the top on your left. Make sure you leave enough time (approx 2 hours) to do the tour before the last bus back!

Torrington 1646
Castle Hill
South Street
Great Torrington
EX38 8AA
01805 626146
Find out more, check opening times etc...

Soft play barn at Waie to Play, Zeal Monachorum, Devon

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 shoot foam balls at your opponent, and the youngest likes the air machine that suspends balls on a jet of air...

There's also a small swimming pool there, 2 squash courts and an outdoor adventure playground for better weather!


There are some more images on their own website You can ring 01363 82348 to check they are open.

Zeal Monachorum is nine miles from our cottage and ecolodges.



The Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon. EX17 6DF / 01363 82348

A dose of history at Cobbaton Combat collection

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 real equipment that people used - the sherman tank in the car park has genuine shell holes in it - all food for thought. The main collection is housed in 2 large hangers, so it's good for a rainy day. Best to ring ahead (01769 540740) to check opening hours. In the winter the collection opens on some weekends. In the summer opening hours are broader.


Costs: Adults £6, senior citizens £5, schoolchildren £4, under fives go free.
Check out their website for up to date information.

Chittlehampton is about 15 miles from our cottage and ecolodges.

Cobbaton Combat Collection, Chittlehampton, Umberleigh, North Devon, EX37 9RZ,
Phone 01769 540740

Walking near Meldon Reservoir, North Dartmoor

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 Meldon Viaduct.

If you want to know more about the industrial archaeology of the area, see this site.

There's more about the ecology here.

And more about its geology here.

See the South West Lakes trust's page for meldon reservoir.


There are lots of pictures of the area at Tour by Tor's walk, Yes Tor & Meldon Reservoir.

Here's a link to a circular walk from Okehampton to Meldon and back.


Here's a great photo of the Meldon Viaduct, which now carries the Granite Way cyclepath (going from Okehampton to near Lydford).

Anglers can fish for brown trout during the season (15 Mar to 12 Oct in 2008). It's free, but you need an Environment Agency rod licence for anyone over 12.


Meldon Reservoir is about 17 miles from our Devon cottage and eco lodges. There's a car park, which has public loos.

Riding on Dartmoor at Skaigh Stables

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, lasts 2 hours and cost £36 in 2008) or a pub ride to take you 20 miles or so (arrive for 9.40 and get back about 16.30, cost £60 in 2008 plus buy your lunch). If you want something different, you can ride by the hour for £18.

Children must be 8yrs or over and accompanied. There are also lots of good walks around Belstone for non riders - and a handy village pub!

Getting there: Belstone is about 16 miles from our ecolodges and cottage, on the northern edge of Dartmoor.

email: info@skaighstables.co.uk
tel: 01837 840429 after 6pm, 01837 840917 daytime.

Find out more, check opening times etc...

Kayaking on the Torridge, at Bideford

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 'Tarka the otter' viewpoint!

This is a day out you can do without the car - take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to Bideford (enjoy the fabulous views from the top of the double decker) and get off at the Quay.

You can also combine kayaking with walking or cycling on the Tarka Trail - see Puffing Billy to Bideford on the Tarka Trail.

If you need refreshment, there's a cafe in an old railway carriage and what was once Bideford Station - now a waypoint on the Tarka Trail. In Bideford itself you'll find an art gallery (in the park at the far end of the Quay, and plenty of shops and cafes.



The hire shop is easy to find. From the bus stop or by car, cross over Bideford Long Bridge and find Torrington Street just around to your right. There's limited and charged parking here - more the other side of the river in the big pay and display car park. If you've been walking or biking on the Tarka Trail you'll spot the shop and steps down to it.


Prices (in 2008) were £10 for the first hour, then £5 per further hour.




Bideford is about 20 miles from our Devon ecolodges and self catering cottage







Bideford bicycle hire webpage.
01237 424123
Torrington Street,
East The Water,
Bideford EX39 4DR

Exeter galleries, cathedral and tours

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 imposed when the land for the station was originally sold by the Earl of Portsmouth's estate.

Stay on the train until you get to Exeter Central (not Exeter St David's). Coming out of the station turn left, and almost immediately you'll pass the Royal Albert Memorial Museum's main building. It's closed for redevelopment until March 2010, but much of its offerings have been rehoused in the library and around the city. To get to RAMM in the library, take the 3rd left after the station, walk about 100m until you see the library / council buildings. You won't miss them - they look just like council buildings! Check their website or ring 01392 421252 for more about what's on...

But if you take the second left, just up from the end of Gandy Street you'll come across the Exeter Phoenix gallery.
Entrance to the gallery is free, and there are regular workshops - check their website or ring 01392 667080 to find out what's on. You never know who you might meet....











If you've got kids and it's wet, the gallery may be a welcome distraction, and there should be something to occupy them. The cafe is also family friendly, and does local food.



Coming back out of the gallery, go down the hill and turn left into Gandy Street - lots of boutiques, cafes etc, and if you keep going you'll hit the high street. If you want to see the Cathedral, turn right in the high street, then turn left when you see the signposts.

You can also join a guided tour of historial Exeter. The Exeter City Council run several, covering, ghosts, murder and mayhem, the Cathedral, the custom's house and many more. Check out their website a full list and timetables.






Exeter is about 35 miles from our ecolodges and cottage - but it's perfectly green if you go on the train or bus!

These venues sometimes have events that we list on our diary pages.

Westward Ho! and Northam Burrows

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 interpretation centre / shop as well as public loos.

Even in August there's plenty of room, though you'll have to share a bit...

Westward Ho! takes its name from the Charles Kingsley novel - ie the novel came first!

Northam Burrows is famous for it's pebble ridge made of rounded cobbles cast up by the sea. If you're there in May, you may catch the 'Pot Walloping Festival' where locals gather to throw the previous winter's dislodged cobbles back up onto the ridge. Traditionally, this protects their grazing rights.

Walking the South West Coast Path
The first mile or so of the South West Coast Path, from Westward Ho! to Cornborough Cliff, has been made an easy - access level path. Beyond that it's more challenging. If you are sure of foot there's a great walk from Horn's Cross (off the A39) back to Westward Ho! that you can do as a one way walk if you take the bus out. Rudyard Kipling spent several of his childhood years at Westward Ho!, and scenes from Stalky and Co. were written about this coastline, which he knew from attending the United Services College here.

Getting there
Northam Burrows and Westward Ho! are about 23 miles from our cottage and ecolodges. Take the A386 (or the bus) to Bideford...

Driving: - as you go through Bideford, look out for the signs to Appledore and Northam Burrows, rather than Westward Ho! There's a smallish turning on the right - it's signed. Follow signs for Northam Burrows Country Park.

Bus: Well,it's not seamless, but it's doable. Get the 315 service to Bideford and change on the Quay to The First 1 service for Northam and Appledore. There's a bus on the golf links road and you walk down through the Country Park from there. It adds a bit of exercise, so not necessarily a good option for young children or anyone carrying loads of beach gear.

There may be events or walks organised for the Country park. Check out our diary pages for details.

Beaches and a canal at Bude

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 Canal. There's lots of sand when the tide is out, but take care swimming near the sailing channels into the Canal. You might prefer the sea-washed swimming pool near the cliffs. Crooklets is the other town beach, also popular with surfers. (No dogs allowed on Crooklets beach between Easter and 1st October).




At Widemouth Bay, (turning off the A39 a mile or two south of Bude) there is a large beach with over 2 miles of sand at low tide. Good for families and surfers - plenty of room for all. Dogs are allowed on the southern part all year.

Bude Canal
A canal joins the sea at Bude. It was built to transport sea sand, rich in lime, to farms inland. The lock gates near the sea suffered storm damage in 1997 but have now been repaired (and if you wonder whether rebuilding the gates in such fabulous-looking hardwood was really sustainable, it's because the gates are 'listed', and English Heritage insisted they be replaced by green oak). You can walk or ride along the tow path to Helebridge, passing a nature reserve on the way. Just across the A39 at Helebridge you can see the old wharf area and restored barge workshop. There's also a picnic site here. There's more information about the canal here.

Cliff top walks
Alternatively, walk along the cliffs from Bude for spectacular views on the South West Coast Path. You're standing on 300 million years of geological history!

Bude is about 30 miles from our cottage and ecolodges.

If you want to see more, check out the Bude webcams.

Halsdon Nature Reserve

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 River Torridge.

It's mostly oak woodland, but rarer trees, including the Devon whitebeam (sorbus devoniensis) and the wild service tree (an unusual-looking tree with greyish brown, flaky bark) are also here.

In 2009 the Trust started an ambitious programme to improve access an manage the woodland more actively.

You can do a circular walk from either of the two car parks - of if you're car free, take the 315 bus to Dolton and walk along part of the Tarka Trail to the bottom end of the reserve, up through the woodland, then back to Dolton on a footpath. There are a couple of pubs in Dolton if you need refreshments.

There are a few fields at the valley bottom that you're asked not to go through in the summer without a permit, but that's a relatively small part of the reserve. In the winter you don't need a permit - but please don't take your dogs into this area.

The paths a pretty variable - sometimes steep and muddy. But from the car park at the southern end of the reserve there's a fairly flat smooth section with a well-made surface for nearly a kilometre, as far as the riverside.

If you're taking kids, try some of the games on this webpage while you're there.

Halsdon is about 8 miles from our holiday lodges and cottage.

There are sometimes events and workparties at Halsdon - check out our diary pages for details..

Devon Wildlife Trust: Halsdon Nature Reserve

Puffing Billy to Yarde Cafe

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 almost all the way, but a much easier coast back once you've had a coffee and cake at the cafe!

Getting there:
Either drive or take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to the Puffing Billy stop just the far side of Great Torrington. Puffing Billy is the name of the pub here, once the station buildings. Cycling is a good option because there's no bus back from Yarde to Winkleigh. If you don't have your own bikes, you can hire some from Torrington Cycle Hire, just opposite the pub (01805 281461).


From here to Yarde Cafe is about 4 miles. Whether walking or cycling, set off leaving the pub behind you and passing under an archway. You'll soon come to a bridge over the Torridge. If you're there really early and it's quiet you may see an otter. In the evening, bats hunt for moths along the river banks here.



Along this stretch of the trail there is a series of 3 benches comissioned as part of Sustran's Art in the Travelling Landscape initiative. The 'courtship bench' will make you smile even if the 'bereavement bench' seems a bit morbid...








The cafe was shortlisted for the 2008 sustainable tourism category in the Devon Environmental Business Initiative's annual awards. It is normally open everyday 10.00am to 5.00pm during July and August, bank holiday weekends and during half term weeks. Outside the summer season, weather permitting, the cafe is open on Saturdays and Sundays - and sometimes other days if fine! Telephone 01805 624007 or 07972786306 to check.