During the summer months, one of the nicest places to swim in Devon is Chagford’s Open Air Swimming Pool, on Dartmoor.
Continue reading “Chagford Open Air Swimming Pool”Chagford Open Air Swimming Pool
Skylarks, a Dartmoor run and a day out from Wheatland Farm
#30DaysWild no 12. Ian’s wild moment today was a fell run across the north moor above Meldon reservoir, Dartmoor.
Continue reading “Skylarks, a Dartmoor run and a day out from Wheatland Farm”Paddle the Exeter Canal
Our wildish act today for #30DaysWild no. 2 was to paddle the Exeter Ship Canal, hiring a Canadian style canoe from Kayak Hub at the canal basin.
Continue reading “Paddle the Exeter Canal”#30DaysWild 15: A Local 6km Run
#30DaysWild 15: Ian went running, starting from the eco lodges and heading down into Hollocombe. He has mapped out a simple 6km route with a section through the woods along a bridle path. Going down the road into Hollocombe and back up again gives it a bit of a gradient in it, but maybe that’s an excuse to have a bit of a walk…
Continue reading “#30DaysWild 15: A Local 6km Run”#30DaysWild 10: The Turbine Walk
Spring has sprung up on Wheatland Farm turbine walk, and it has got severely overgrown. So for today’s Random Act of Wildness we took the mower out and cut it back so it’s ready when our lovely guests return to the eco lodges in a few weeks.
Read more#30DaysWild 9. Explore the Exe Estuary by Boat
Today’s Random Act of Wildness was to take time off to kayak the Exe Estuary. And since it’s a fun thing to do if you’re staying at Wheatland Farm this summer, here’s a bit more information.
Continue reading “#30DaysWild 9. Explore the Exe Estuary by Boat”Exeter Christmas Market
From about the beginning of December, there’s a Christmas Market around the Cathedral in Exeter.
Continue reading “Exeter Christmas Market”An Independent Trip Into Exeter
Sometimes not everyone on holiday wants to do the same thing. Sometimes kids are growing up and want a bit more space. So we thought we’d ask the boys to do a series of short videos about their independent Devon days out. Here, they go into Exeter to the cinema.
Continue reading “An Independent Trip Into Exeter”Wheatland Farm 5km Running Route
People quite often ask us where they can go running from Wheatland Farm. Well, there’s round the fields on the mown paths of course. But if you want a 5km run along Devon lanes, this is it. We thought we’d put it up for #NaturallyHealthyMonth 2019.
Continue reading “Wheatland Farm 5km Running Route”A Luxurious Lunch at the Mason’s Arms
Fancy a fancy lunch? The Michellin Star rated Mason’s Arms, at Knowstone, is about 18 miles from Wheatland Farm. You’ll find a warm and unpretentious welcome and excellent food.
Continue reading “A Luxurious Lunch at the Mason’s Arms”Don’t miss the Pottery if you’re in Hatherleigh
In Hatherleigh, maybe for those famous brownies and coffee? Don’t forget to check out the Hatherleigh Pottery, in its charming courtyard. You’ll find lovely hand thrown ceramics and a friendly welcome. You might come away with a treat! Continue reading “Don’t miss the Pottery if you’re in Hatherleigh”
Mountain biking at Haldon Forest
Exeter’s Haldon Forest Park makes a great day out for all. Those with lots of energy can go mountain biking on a good number of graded trails. For the less active there’s the butterfly walk (part of the Forest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildlife), the cafe, or even Segways to hire! Continue reading “Mountain biking at Haldon Forest”
Wild swimming near the lodges
Want to get in the water? Wheatland Farm isn’t really near the beach – the closest is Westward Ho, about 40 minutes away. But there are other options…. Continue reading “Wild swimming near the lodges”
The George Inn in Hatherleigh
The George Inn in Hatherleigh is another lovely local pub, serving traditional pub food attentively made. Continue reading “The George Inn in Hatherleigh”
Dartmoor: Okehampton to Two Bridges
We’re just back from this summer’s Dartmoor adventure – a walk across the North Moor with an overnight in the middle. Maggie did it with George when he was ten, so now it’s Euan’s turn. We picked a slightly longer route this time, and didn’t do ourselves any favours with the terrain, which was hard going for fairly long stretches. Â But we made it! Continue reading “Dartmoor: Okehampton to Two Bridges”
A walk at Fingle Bridge
Fingle Bridge woods makes a lovely walk with a great pub for lunch or a snack. It’s about 19 miles from the eco lodges and combines well with Castle Drogo. In fact, the National Trust’s Castle Drogo land goes all the way to Fingle Bridge, and meets up with Woodland Trust land. It’s now under joint management. Continue reading “A walk at Fingle Bridge”
Exe Estuary Trail 30 Days Wild 2017 No. 3
30 Days Wild No. 3. OK, we admit we didn’t actually do this today, because it’s change over day for the eco lodges and we were far too busy cleaning. Our random act of wildness today was a cup of coffee while watching the bumble bees. George put the video together of our cycle trip last Thursday. Continue reading “Exe Estuary Trail 30 Days Wild 2017 No. 3”
Meldon Reservoir to Black A Tor Copse National Nature Reserve and Black Tor
Black a Tor Copse and Black Tor make a lovely Dartmoor walk at any time of year. You can start at Meldon Reservoir (16 miles from Wheatland Farm’s eco lodges) and go up to High Willhays and Yes Tor first, then cross to the West Okement valley. Or you can walk along Meldon Reservoir and up the river. Either way, the navigation is easy and you get a good taste of the wild north moor. Take a compass and map though, just in case.
Continue reading “Meldon Reservoir to Black A Tor Copse National Nature Reserve and Black Tor”Wheatland Farm to Ilfracombe by bike
Another mighty bike ride – this time from Wheatland Farm to Ilfracombe.
[Maggie] Ok, so this was more of a challenge ride for George, who wanted something to beat the 40 miles he did 2 years ago (Barnstaple and back). This one had much the same North Devon route, and was about 50 miles, but unlike Barnstaple and Back it’s one way – so we needed Ian to pick us up from Ilfracombe (I’m not up for 100 miles yet… but it’s not 50 miles by car. More like 30). Continue reading “Wheatland Farm to Ilfracombe by bike”
Go cart joins the eco lodge bike fleet
Here comes the new go cart! Everyone should have a go cart hill in their childhood. George is the main technician on this one with a bit of help from Ian and some additions from Euan. Continue reading “Go cart joins the eco lodge bike fleet”
The turbine room – great for a rainy Devon day!
After some lovely sunny weather it’s now turned to ‘soft rain’. So it could be a good day to take a coffee to the new ‘turbine room’. Once the farm’s dairy (back in the 1940s – you can still see the date on the trough) it went through a storage phase and has re-emerged as a dry garden, with succulents ferns and even herbs. Continue reading “The turbine room – great for a rainy Devon day!”
Paddle on the River Exe, Exeter
Hire kayaks or canoes at Saddles and Paddles on the Quay at Exeter and head down river to the double locks pub, or even to the Turf Inn. Continue reading “Paddle on the River Exe, Exeter”
Croyde, a Devon beach for surfing and cream teas
Croyde is a lovely village on Devon’s north coast, 29 miles from the cottages and eco lodges. It has a sandy beach, is home to The Thatch (a big pub doing lots of food, and of course cream teas) and a couple of surf shops. Continue reading “Croyde, a Devon beach for surfing and cream teas”
Outdoor chess
Draughts and chess in the lodge field! (April through to the end of October, then in the Party Shed). The draughts, made out of sliced-up branches, will be in a box under the board but the chess pieces will be in the Party Shed in the lodge field. Feel free to borrow them, but please return the chess set after use. (That way hard to replace pieces are less likely to get lost in the long grass.) Continue reading “Outdoor chess”
Real Devon icecream!
Even on a grey day you can’t beat a Hocking’s Ice Cream! Made in Appledore, they are an integral part of a Devon holiday. There are almost always vans on the Torrington Commons, on Bideford Quay (car park end) and at Northam Burrows Country Park, among many other places.
Go small game hunting!
From spring to autumn you can go ‘small game hunting’ in our wildlife pond. Voyage out across the pond in the good ship Tender and collect armfuls of invasive Canadian pondweed, which Maggie or Ian will help you search for invertebrates (and the odd newt). Continue reading “Go small game hunting!”
The Copper Key Pub, North Tawton
Here’s another local pub: the Copper Key in North Tawton. The pub does Sunday lunches and sandwiches in a traditional setting. There’s a beer garden out the back, and a pool table. Continue reading “The Copper Key Pub, North Tawton”
Paddle the boat on the wildlife pond
We know we’ve got it right when you stay on the farm to have fun. The wildlife pond is perfect for a calm moment of reflection… or maybe you’d rather make a splash? In summer we usually have a boat or paddle board available for you to use – just ask for a quick induction first! Continue reading “Paddle the boat on the wildlife pond”
Cycle to the New Inn, Sampford Courtney, for lunch
This post is mainly about another of our ‘big bike out’ videos – from Wheatland Farm to Sampford Courtney for lunch at the New Inn. But of course you could drive too – the New Inn is a lovely traditional Devon pub serving good food.
Continue reading “Cycle to the New Inn, Sampford Courtney, for lunch”Belstone Cleave and the Tors Pub
Belstone Cleave, on the edge of Dartmoor, is beautiful even when it’s raining or cold. And unlike the moor itself, is sheltered from the worst of the wind. Belstone also boasts a welcoming pub serving 50 kinds of whiskeys – should you need re-warming after your walk.
Continue reading “Belstone Cleave and the Tors Pub”