WE HAVE SELECTED SOME OF THE MUST VISIT PLACES ALONG THE NORTH DEVON/CORNISH COAST TO ENJOY DURING YOUR STAY WITH US. They include:
CLOVELLY: An historic fishing village with a 14th century quay, steep cobbled streets and craft shops. There are regular events throughout the summer including a maritime festival, Lundy gig row, Lobster and Crab Feast, Celebration of Local Ales & Ciders & Herring Festival.
LUNDY ISLAND: The word Lundy is Norse for ‘Puffin Island’ and this place has been designated England’s first Marine Nature Reserve. There are breeding colonies of grey seals, rare lichens and herb-rich acidic or culm grassland, and is an important staging post for large numbers of migrating birds. We frequently have visitors to Cranham House who either fly to Lundy by helicopter from Hartland Point or sail there in an hour from Clovelly giving 6 hours ashore to enjoy and explore this breathtaking environment. You can also cruise to Lundy from Bideford on the MS Oldenburg on a 2 hour long voyage. Easily done in a day and giving you an unforgettable experience.
BOSCASTLE & TINTAGEL: As well as being outstandingly beautiful and dramatic both of these places have legendary connections - Tintagel is steeped in the history of the mythic figure of King Arthur and Boscastle with the writer Thomas Hardy who met his first wife, Emma, there and worked on the restoration of the local St Juilot’s church when a young architectual student.
PORT ISAAC: This quintessential Cornish fishing village has a wonderful natural harbour where you can eat or buy freshly caught seafood directly from the fishermen who caught it. The narrow lanes mean that you can walk around freely unhindered by traffic. An absolutely delightful experience.
PADSTOW & ROCK: PADSTOW is renowned for its charm and sheltered position along the Camel estuary in North Cornwall. This fishing town has evolved over centuries and, although still a bustling working place, is also one of the most welcoming and attractive to visit along the whole of the North Atlantic coast. There is always something interesting going on, especially around the harbour. And, there is excellent food available for all tastes.
Fishing trips running from Padstow Harbour include a 2 hour mackerel, 4 hour bass, wreck or reef and all day trips for sharking and wrecking. Skippers are all well qualified and boats are fitted out for safety and modern fishing technology. All fishing equipment is supplied.
ROCK could hardly be less appropriately named as its popularity is largely due to the long stretches of fine sandy beaches washed by the tidal waters of the Camel estuary. The nicest way of getting to Rock is by ferry from Padstow. The Black Tor ferry runs all year round during daylight hours and there is a water taxi service available. Acclaimed as one of the major watersports centres in Cornwall Rock offers you the chance to sail, windsurf, water ski or go canoeing. Bird watching is also a major attraction. Sports fans can sample the renowned St Enodoc Golf Club which boasts two challenging courses.
NATIONAL TRUST, ENGLISH HERITAGE BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES: Don't miss the chance to visit the wealth of historically important houses in this area. Many, of course, also have fantastic gardens. Some are very well known such as Cotehele and Buckland Abbey, others less so but still precious like Lawrence House in Launceston which is a fine Georgian town house, or the farmhouse at Brownsham on the Hartland peninsula which has a fine plasterwork ceiling and is only open to the public once a year. Bideford itself has a fine stock of significant buildings, enough to have produced an architectural heritage trail for visitors. There are castles in both Tintagel and Launceston managed by English Heritage. Famous places associated with famous people like Drake, Kingsley, Daphne du Maurier abound here. We can give you information, maps, opening times, etc for you to plan your visits with ease