Axminster Burrow Farm Gardens, Dalwood, Axminster EX13 7ET East Devon's 'secret garden'. Tour the beautifully landscaped 10 acre gardens, cream teas, light refreshments, plant nursery, advice, craft and gift shop. Open daily 21st March to 31st October 10am to 7pm. Signed from A30 and A35. Ample parking and picnic area.
River Cottage Stores & Canteen, Trinity Square, Axminster EX13 5AN
"The canteen showcases the very best of what the South West has to offer and what is in season" - therefore menu changes everyday. Evening and Sunday reserverations recommended (01297 631 862)
"The store is a real alternative to the supermarket stocking a wide selection of every day food items including milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fruit and vegetables as well as range of books and smallholder supplies plus a specially chosen British wine, beers and spirits list. Virtually all of the produce has been sourced locally by Hugh and his team, from some of the very best South West producers"
The Golden Hind, The Street, Musbury, Axminster EX13 8AU
Tel: 01297 552 413 “do a good range of early evening meals for the family at a reasonable cost” AP – Weston Super Mare "good beer and food, child- and dog-friendly, and friendly locals. Have a game of darts or boules" GB - Northwich
Axminster
Spillers Farm Tea Rooms, Spillers Farm, Musbury, Axminster EX13 8AJ “Second to none and provides breakfasts, lunches and fabulous Devon cream teas (sounds like an advert!)" AP –Weston Super Mare
Beautiful, unspoilt fishing village "(I recommend) the fish stall on the jetty - try the scallops, and cream teas on the beach (dog friendly)" GB - Northwich
Bay Café, Marine Drive, Bigbury on Sea, Kingsbridge TQ7 4AS Tel: 01548 810 796 April, May and June open 10am to 6pm inc Weekends and Bank Holidays. July, August and September open everyday 10am - 7pm
SJH – Southwater
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Bigbury
Bigbury Beach. From A379 between Modbury and Aveton Gifford, turn on to the B3392 to Bigbury. Pass through Bigbury village and follow road to Bigbury on Sea to car park. Blue flag sand (mainly) and shingle beach. Toilets, cafe, disabled access to beach and facilities. First aid and lifeguards during season. Dog restricted area. Access to Burgh Island on foot or tractor (tide dependent), for pub and hotel.
St. Michael de Rupe Church, Brentor, Tavistock 12th Century Church, the fourth smallest Parish Church in England, just 40ft x 14ft, and the highest at 1,100ft above sea level. Still in use - (though not for burials!) - superb views of Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin, Plymouth Sound and Brecon Beacons on a clear day. "the magnificent sight of St. Michael de Rupe on top of Brentor - a steep walk but well worth it for the views across Dartmoor" MF - Waterlooville
Pennywell Farm and Wildlife Centre, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0LT Award-winning farm activity park - animals, go-karts, quads, train rides, maze, trampolines, tractors etc - a new 'fun' activity every 30 minutes. Restaurant. Wheelchair accessible. Open 9th Feb to 2nd November 2008. Entrance fee. "fantastic for children" PB - Lindfield
The Five Bells Inn & Restaurant, Clyst Hydon, Cullompton EX15 2NT 16th Century thatched building, with gardens, serving traditional lunches and dinners. Children welcome. Cod & chips to take away. Live Jazz 2nd Wednesday of the month and folk/guitar duo on 4th Friday. 8pm start.
"A proper pub, with good food" GH - Hampshire
"lovely evening meal but book if you want to visit there on a Saturday evening as it is a very popular place"
Blackpool Sands (on the A379), 3 miles from Dartmouth between Stoke Fleming and Strete (signposted) Blue flag sand and shingle beach. Cleaned daily in season (no dogs), swimming, cafe, shop, showers, surfski, boogie boards, kayak, wet suit & snorkel hire. Disabled facilities. Lifeguard during summer. (Blackpool Gardens are opposite).
"If you find yourself on the A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road, you could be forgiven for thinking Eggesford was just a railway station. Well, we discovered it's much more than that! Stop at Eggesford Forest to walk the dog, picnic, loos etc. The Garden Centre(over railway and up hill on left) is fantastic and they are really nice, friendly people. Their cafe is great and the shortbread divine. Lovely Church - locals hold the key. Good circular walk starting and finishing at Garden Centre with every chance of seeing Red Kites. Non-residents welcome at Fox & Hounds (up main road on lhs) for food and a beer. Take the Tarka Line (we didn't have time) - honestly, you could spend at least half a day here and still not do everything. I strongly recommend"
(To find out more about Exmoor National Park we recommend the 'Everything Exmoor' website - a non-commercial site built by the community of Exmoor with all the information you will ever need to find on Exmoor)
Lydford Gorge, Lydford, Near Okehampton, Devon EX20 4BH (Halfway between Okehampton and Tavistock, 1ml W off A386 opposite Dartmoor Inn; main entrance at W end of Lydford village; waterfall entrance near Manor Farm). Parking at both entrances - free This is the deepest gorge in south-west England, and stretches a distance of about 1.5 miles from the "Devil's Cauldron" whirlpool at the bridge end to the spectacular "White Lady Waterfall" at the other end. Owned by the National Trust. 1.5 and 3mile walking routes, VERY strenuous in places, unsuitable for very young children but back-carriers can be hired, dogs must be kept on leads. Shop and plant centre at main entrance, small shop at waterfall entrance. Childrens play area, tea rooms at both entrances. Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
The Dartmoor Inn, Moorside, Lydford, Near Okehampton EX20 4AY Restaurant, bar, boutique and rooms. Restaurant serves award-winning cooking based on seasonal ingredients from local farmers. Bar (log fire and real ale) serves pub classics (but check for Fri and Sat)
Lydford Gorge, Lydford, nr Okehampton, Devon EX20 4BH
(Halfway between Okehampton and Tavistock, 1ml W off A386 opposite Dartmoor Inn; main entrance at W end of Lydford village; waterfall entrance near Manor Farm). Parking at both entrances - free This is the deepest gorge in south-west England, and stretches a distance of about 1.5 miles from the "Devil's Cauldron" whirlpool at the bridge end to the spectacular "White Lady Waterfall" at the other end. Owned by the National Trust. 1.5 and 3mile walking routes, VERY strenuous in places, unsuitable for very young children but back-carriers can be hired, dogs must be kept on leads. Shop and plant centre at main entrance, small shop at waterfall entrance. Childrens play area, tea rooms at both entrances. Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Okehampton Farmers Market, St. James Chapel Square, centre of Okehampton, not far from A30 Third Saturday of every month - 9.00am to 1.30pm. 20 stalls of local food and crafts - meats, fresh fish (weather permitting!), beer, pate, cheeses, breads, cakes, chocolates, vegetables, herbs and plants.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU An 80 acre natural environmental park with thousands of animals and plants, miniature train ride, indoor and outdoor play areas, keeper talks and feeding times. Open every day (except Christmas Day) from 10am - closing times vary. Wheelchair and electric scooter hire available. Assistance dogs welcome. Reduced admission for visitors with disabilities. Restaurants, coffee shops, bar, gift shops.
The Laurels Inn, Petrockstow, Okehampton EX20 3HJ 17th century coaching house, just one mile off the Tarka Trail, serving an award-winning range of beers, and food at good prices. Walkers and cyclists welcome. "'The Laurels' is the local pub in the village of Petrockstowe. Super home-cooked food and a range of real ales. Children welcome"
JH - Walsall
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Postbridge
Powder Mills Cottages, Postbridge, Dartmoor - Off the B3212 “lovely cream tea and pottery"
SJH - Southwater
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Plymouth
The National Marine Aquarium, Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LF (Follow the brown & white fish signs and park in Barbican Car Park) Britain's largest aquarium containing Europe's deepest tank - dedicated to education, conservation and research. Good disabled access, wheelchairs available foc, disabled toilets, guide dogs welcome. Restaurant and gift shop. Open daily from 10am. Entrance fee applies. "We enjoyed Plymouth Aquarium (get to the Aquarium after 3.30 for a quick visit at the end of the day, and it's half price!)"
The Hook and Parrot, East Walk, Seaton EX12 2LN Tel: 01297 20222 "Thursday night quiz night - have dinner there beforehand, dog-friendly"
GB - Northwich
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Seaton
Seaton Tramway, Harbour Road, Seaton EX12 2NQ
Three mile tramway ride between the coastal resort of Seaton, the village of Colyford and the ancient town of Colyton. Takes 25 minutes. Open toppers or enclosed dependent on weather. Colyford terminus is next to The White Hart Inn, Seaton terminus is next to the Tourist Information centre, close to town centre and beach. Concessions for seniors, students & children, discounts for family tickets. Dogs at flat rate of £1 but must travel downstairs. Some trams have space for non-folding wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Check availability. See website for fares and daily timetable.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth EX10 0NU (30 minutes from the M5 junction 30 on the A3052 between Sidford and Seaton. On leaving Sidford follow the brown tourist signs at the top of the hill) Meet the donkeys in the main yard or stroll round the fields, or ramble down to the sea. Adopt a donkey. Visitors Centre/shop, restaurant and picnic area. Toilets. Wheelchairs available to borrow. Some walks wheelchair accessible. Dogs on leads welcome.
The Terrace at The Hotel Riviera, The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8AY Seafront Regency hotel with restaurant and light refreshments available to non-residents
Ancient market town on the south-west edge of Dartmoor, 15 miles north of Plymouth. Straddles the River Tavy. Best Market Town award 2004, Best Local Foods awards 2007 "for shopping, markets and eating"
MF - Waterlooville
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Tavistock
The Elephants Nest, Horndon, Mary Tavy, Tavistock PL19 9LQ A quintessentially English pub with log fires, stone floors, good garden and great views of the moor. Open daily 12 noon til 3pm and 6.30 to 11pm (10.30 Sundays). Last orders for food 2.15 and 9pm. Sunday roasts (2 choices), children welcome in two of the dining areas and garden; no under 14s in bar. Three en-suite double/twin rooms available for B&B.
MF - Waterlooville
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Tavistock
Morwellham Copper Mine and Museum, Morwellham Quay, Near Tavistock, PL19 8JL “all excellent”
Bay Riding School, Wembury, Plymouth PL9 0JW Tel: 01752 862 676/862312 or Mobile 07774 280 529
CJ - Middx
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Wembury
Wembury Beach, Plymouth Sandy cove with rock pools, backed by low cliffs. Wembury Marine Centre hosts 'rockpool rambles' for kids during the summer. Cleaned daily in high season. Dogs banned May to September. Cafe, restaurant, toilets. 150 car park spaces (charge). MCS (Marine Conservation Society) Recommended.
The Odd Wheel (pub), Knighton Hill, Wembury, Plymouth PL9 0ED Tel: 01752 862 287 "The Odd Wheel pub in Wembury is very good, despite its old-style decor! Good beer and excellent food" GA - Woking "The Odd Wheel pub friendly and does very good food"
MM - Romsey
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Wembworthy
The Lymington Arms, Lama Cross, Wembworthy, near Winkleigh EX18 7SA "Lovely country pub (a bit tricky to find if you're not local!), run by a great lady. Bar full of locals when we arrived (always a good sign) and then went through to a fabulous restaurant (other tables for eating in bar too). We had a brilliant meal with 12+ of us looked after really well. The food was FANTASTIC - I see from looking at their website since that the chef, Steve Kinsey, was the head chef at The Sandy Lane hotel, Barbados, and it showed. The chap sat next to me (a real 'foodie') is STILL going on about how good his duck was! See website for full details regarding opening etc. Rooms also available".
