Out & About and Places to Visit in North Devon
Local attractions:
Tarr steps
Beautiful, iconic and ancient – Tarr Steps, the longest and oldest “clapper bridge” of its kind in Great Britain, dating back hundreds if not thousands of years. A ‘clapper bridge’ is formed by arranging huge slabs over stacks of stones. No mortar, cement or effort in design is required (although effort in finding and moving the slabs would certainly have been no mean feat, with slabs weighing up to several tons!) This technique has allowed people to form bridges over shallow streams and fords long before stone arches or cementing methods were understood. From our door, it is a good two-hour plus walk but well worth it due to the beautiful wooded valleys, old hedgerows and the wildlife you might meet on the way.
And don’t worry about supplies. Many picnic along the river, but Tarr Steps Inn offers every kind of refreshments and is one of our first choices for Cream Teas.
https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/blog/tarr-steps
Dulverton
You really only need to go to Dulverton for lots of lovely experiences. It is an amazing little town with several pubs, cafés, restaurants, butcher, baker, deli, book shops, antique shops, clothes shops, etc., etc. and a fabulous website, which will tell you a lot more:
Quince Honey Farm 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝
A short drive from us you will find Quince Honey Farm. The café and restaurant are well worth a visit, as is the well-stocked shop. But mainly it is a brilliant attraction for all ages with tours and activities to learn about bees, honey and lots more! Let the kids buzz around the huge indoor soft play area! With climbing ropes, slides and soft play fun, they are sure to have a great time exploring. 🐝
festival
Festivals and Shows on or near Exmoor you don’t want to miss:
(This is just a selection, if you follow the links below you might find many more events on offer that interest you.)
16. – 18. May 24 DEVON COUNTY SHOW
The annual rural fair on Exeter’s showground with everything in Farming, Crafts and Horticulture on show plus so much more.
F .ex.: BRING THE FAMILY and watch daredevil Jamie Squibb soar through the air on the back of an FMX stunt bike on Saturday.
Or: SHOP till you drop at hundreds of independent boutique outlets, delicious food, fashion, interiors and much, much more.
Book your tickets now to get an early bird discount Book discounted tickets now
6. – 8. June 24 WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL
The annual celebration of all things Diesel, featuring a wide selection of locomotives including visiting locomotives and our home fleet locomotives, which are looked after by the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group at Williton. Find a selection of visiting locomotives and the home fleet. Ticket prices vary from day to day.
https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/summer-diesel-festival
9th June 2024 10 am – 4 pm LYN VALLEY CLASSICS EVENT
Immerse yourselves in a day of automotive wonder set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lynton and Lynmouth. Classic cars, tractors, supercars, motorbikes and more. Stalls and activities for all.
Discover the Magic of the Lyn Valley Classic.
27. JULY MID DEVON SHOW
Just up the road from us in the beautiful grounds of Knightshayes estate, with a mix of dazzling entertainment, scrumptious food, unique shopping, live music (INCLUDING The New Jersey Boys), vibrant horticulture, and a peek into farm life, the Mid Devon Show is the ultimate celebration of all things Devon.
https://www.middevonshow.co.uk
- August 24 HONITON SHOW
Honiton Show – one of the largest one day shows in the country. ‘The show has a unique atmosphere blending traditional and new where its emphasis is agriculture and its associated activities first and foremost. It is a showcase for the best of local farming, produce, crafts and rural skills.‘ A brilliant day out for all the family.
First Thursday in August: 8am – 6pm
7. August 24 NORTH DEVON SHOW
Our local one-day agricultural fair showcases everything around Farming, Horticulture and Crafts. F. ex.: A full day of attractions in our Savery Ring starting from 8.30 am include Carriage Driving, a Grand Parade of Livestock, a tractor parade, and supreme Horse Championship followed by a Heavy Horse Parade. This means entertainment for the whole family.
Further smaller Agricultural Shows:
14. August 24 EXFORD SHOW
16. August 24 DUNSTER SHOW
Food
This is an excellent site for finding award-winning restaurants and pubs which serve top-quality food near us and follow their blog for the latest news.
http://www.exmoorfoodfest.com/
Artists and Art Courses:
Pauline Pearce was our artist in residence, she now lives in Bristol and exhibits in galleries around the area as well as still doing her popular workshops in and around Dulverton.
http://www.paulinepearce.co.uk/
Walks and Events Information Diary:
http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/
North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival:
The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival has a good choice of guided walks on offer in spring and autumn. The walks range from about 4 to 10 miles long, taking in our beautiful coast, the moors of Exmoor, the Quantocks and North Devon. There are plenty of walks available close to our accommodation.
For more information go to www.channelevents.co.uk/exmoor-running-and-walking-festival.
THE 2024 FESTIVAL INCLUDES:
Friday 21st June 2024
– Sunset Swim at Pinkery Pond
Saturday 22nd June 2024
– The Exmoor Perambulation – Long Distance Walk (30 miles or 15 miles)
– The Exmoor Perambulation – Ultra Trail Marathon (30 miles)
– The Exmoor Perambulation – Wild Trail Run (15 Miles)
– Family Walk (3 Miles)
– Guest Speaker – TBC
– There will also be a BBQ available for you to bring and cook your own food
Sunday 23rd June 2024
– Man vs Moor Light – 5 km
– Man vs Moor Classic – 10 km
– Man vs Moor Ultimate – 10 Miler
– Man vs Moor Kids – 1.5 km
Both Friday and Saturday nights will see the opportunity to have social gatherings to share stories of running and walking and be inspired by our guest speakers. We are also working on screening some really interesting and inspiring films/documentaries about the activities we all love.
Beauty Treatment
Welcome to the world of beauty convenience:
Why not make your Exmoor break complete with a relaxing back massage or a refreshing pedicure?
http://www.isiswellbeing.co.uk/
East Anstey Parish :
The local parish website, with links to adjoining parishes
and county organisations.
Sports, Activities and Events all around Exmoor:
This website has been put together to help you find out about the wide variety of sports and activities on offer (from Tennis, Windsurfing, Sailing …to Power Kiting)on Exmoor. If you’re looking for something to do then you’ve come to the right place
Rock Climbing
Rock and Rapid Adventures is a specialist in several outdoor activities including coasteering, surfing, canoeing, raft building.
http://www.rockandrapidadventures.co.uk/
Exmoor Explorer Mountain Bike Marathon (August ):
http://www.exmoorexplorer.com/
Cycling Tour of Britain on Exmoor in September:
http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/
The show has a unique atmosphere blending traditional and new where its emphasis is agriculture and its associated activities first and foremost. It is a showcase for the best of local farming, produce, crafts and rural skills
