A private getaway to relax and unwind from modern day living
Local Information/Things To Do
The village centre is just 10 mins walk where you will find:
Church Street Stores - Local Village Shop/Mini Supermarket & Post Office, Neals - Renowned local butchers, Royal Oak Public House, The Rams Head Public House, BG Electrical ‘open all hours’ store.
Other pubs/cafes within a short drive:
The Duke of York (3 miles) at Iddesleigh (the War Horse Pub) for amazing Sunday Lunches EX19 8BG
Jonesy’s Café, The Old Airfield, Winkleigh, EX19 8EZ for good honest food and a great all day breakfast eat-in or take-away
The Bull & Dragon in Meeth, good honest pub food
The Globe in Beaford (CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022)
Things to Do:
Enjoy leafy footpaths, bridleways and quiet lanes. Stroll to Halsdon Wildlife Nature Reserve. Pick up the Tarka Trail. See otters, kingfishers and salmon on the River Torridge. War Horse Valley and fishing are nearby. The coast, Exmoor and Dartmoor, not far by car. Fabulous golden sands at Westward Ho! Saunton, Croyde and surfing too. The Moors, beauty abounds, wonderful for outdoor enthusiasts. Treat yourself to Devon cream teas, shop in Devon’s unique Pannier markets, take river-boat rides.
Here are some useful details of local attractions and activities.
There is a copy of The Dolton & Dowland Walks booklet, itemising 10 wonderful local walks, in the Lodge for your use, you can also view it here D&D Walks Booklet
www.devonwildlifetrust.org/visit-us/wild-walks
Halsdon Nature Reserve, just on the outskirts of Dolton, EX19 8ND (1.5 miles – 4 mins drive or 33 mins walk using footpaths, 1 hour walk using roads) www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/halsdon
Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve, Hatherleigh, EX20 3ER (dogs on lead please) 150 hectares of rolling landscape, deep water filled lakes and beautiful views. (4.9 miles – 11mins drive)
The Tarka Trail:
Inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter, this 180 mile, figure eight route traverses unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and beautiful beaches. The southern loop incorporates the longest, continuous off-road cycle path in the UK. Walking or cycling, you can experience the best this beautiful area has to offer. The nearest point to pick up the Tarka Trail to us is at Bury Cross, Near Petrockstow nearest postcode EX20 3QG (5.1miles – 11 mins drive) www.tarkatrail.org.uk
Tarka Trail Cycle Hire, Barnstaple Train Station EX31 2AU 01271 324202 www.tarkabikes.co.uk
Dartmoor National Park Dartmoor is a wild, wide-open place filled with mystery, a vast moorland in the county of Devon, in southwest England. Dartmoor ponies roam its craggy landscape, defined by forests, rivers, wetlands and tors (rock formations). Trails wind through valleys with Neolithic tombs, Bronze Age stone circles and abandoned medieval farmhouses. The area is dotted with villages, including Princetown, home to Dartmoor Prison used during the Napoleonic Wars. EX20 2JP This postcode will take you into Dartmoor (17.6 miles – 31 mins drive) www.visitdartmoor.co.uk
Exmoor National Park Exmoor is filled with secret, hidden treasures such as Tarr Steps. And is loosely defined as an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England, and generally considered wilder than Dartmoor. It is named after the River Exe, the source of which is situated in the centre of the area, two miles north-west of Simonsbath. EX36 3LF This postcode will take you into Exmoor (22.9 miles – 44 mins drive) www.visit-exmoor.co.uk
Enjoy the market towns of: Great Torrington (7 miles), Hatherleigh with a traditional market on each Tuesday (8 miles), Okehampton (15 miles) and South Molton (16 miles) Holsworthy (23 miles) all within easy access
https://www.exploredevon.info/activities
Horse Riding: Garlands Farm Trekking and Horse-Riding Centre, Highampton, Beaworthy EX21 5JR 07794 647732/ 01409 231569 www.garlandsfarmridingcentre.com
Kayak and Stand-UP Paddle Board Hire OSKC Watersports, Borough Road, Combe Martin, EX34 0AN. (27.1miles – 56 mins drive) 07976 555 004 www.oskcwatersports.co.uk
Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience, by prior arrangement, book before you come!
Libbaton Golf Club, High Bickington, Umberleigh EX37 9BS (6 miles – 12 mins drive) 01769 560269 www.libbatongolfclub.co.uk/
RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington EX38 8PH 01805 624067 8 miles on the A3124 northbound. Prebook your visit at www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor Not only beautiful gardens to explore but also an amazing restaurant & shop
Stafford Moor Fisheries, Dolton, EX19 8PP (1.8 miles – 6 mins drive) 01805 804360 www.staffordmoor.co.uk
Torrington Pool and Sports Hall, School Lane, Torrington EX38 7AJ (7.8 miles – 14 mins drive)- 01805 640995 - www.1610.org.uk
War Horse Valley Country Farm Park, Parsonage Farm, Iddesleigh EX19 8SN (4.3 miles 12mins drive) www.warhorsevalley.co.uk 01837 810318
Winkleigh Cider Company Western Barn, Hatherleigh Rd, Winkleigh EX19 8AP (5.9 miles – 10mins drive)
Sam's Cider Shop, and Sam’s CiderTours held every Wednesday at 2pm will take you through the history of the company and the cider making process from start to finish, showing you the traditional methods alongside the modern ways of the 21st century. 01837 83560 www.winkleighcider.co.uk
Do take a look at the online North Devon Guide where you will be amazed at some of the different attractions you can visit such as Lundy Island, Tunnels Beaches (a network of hand carved Victorian tunnels leading to unique sheltered beaches and tidal pools), Arlington Court, Winsford Walled Garden and many more North Devon | Devon Guide
Beaches:
Nearest: Instow Beach EX39 4JH (18 miles - 33mins)
Best: Woolacombe Beach EX34 7DN (28.1miles – 57mins drive) Voted 5 in the world’s top beaches!
Nearest Dog Beaches:
Instow Dogs are allowed on some of the beach all year although restrictions apply near the town end from May 1 and September 30
Westward Ho! Beach EX39 1LL (17.5miles – 35mins by car) Dogs are not allowed on the majority of the beach between 1st May and 30th September. However, there is a 200 metre section, in front of Sandymere, where dogs are allowed all year round.
Croyde Bay Dogs allowed October to April inc. EX33 1FF (26.5 miles - 56mins Drive)
Saunton Sands Dogs are allowed on the beach provided that the dog owner removes all waste matter. The beach owner reserves the right to restrict access for dogs at any time during the year. EX33 1LQ (22.9 miles - 48 mins Drive)
Search for other of the many beaches in Devon at:
