Before you arrive, plan what you would like to do. Try some of these sites to discover more about what is on offer:
What's close by?
Exbourne is a small, charming village a mile and a half from Woodhall Barns Holiday Cottages. You can buy local produce twice a week from a shop in the Village Hall. The friendly Red Lion Pub serves award winning ales and good food in the evenings and at weekends.
Abbeyford Woods lies between Exbourne and Okehampton and you can cycle or walk here on marked paths through Douglas Fir trees and old Beech. One path forms part of the Tarka Trail and follows the River Okement. The other is a circular route and winds its way through the wood.
In Okehampton you will find everything you need to provide for your holiday. Waitrose, Lidl and Somerfield supermarkets stock most things. There are many interesting gift and craft shops and a good independent sports shop in case you have forgotten anything. It has several pubs and cafes, and some good quality restaurants if you fancy a night away from the cooker. The town also has a two-screen cinema and the Museum of Dartmoor Life. In summer a train runs from Okehampton on a heritage railway line to Exeter. You can hire bicycles at the start of the Granite Way in Okehampton or hop on a bus to a destination of your choice and admire the views.
Hatherleigh is an historic market town four miles from here with a supermarket, butcher, baker, art and craft shop, gift shop and tea shops. In the other direction is North Tawton – location of the BBC's 'Jam and Jerusalem' – where you can explore the 13th Century church and buy fish and chips on the way back.
Within three or four miles there are lovely traditional country pubs at Iddesleigh (The Duke of York) and Sampford Courtenay (The New Inn). The food at the Duke of York in particular has an excellent reputation that keeps it busy all year round.
Where else can we go?
Dartmoor National Park is a short drive away and covers 368 square miles. Characterised by open moorland and its wild ponies – Dartmoor is a spectacular and rugged rural landscape. Choose from craft hunting, walking and bird watching, mountain biking or horse riding.
If the seaside appeals to you, we are under an hour from both the north Cornwall and south Devon coastlines. To the east you will find pebbly beaches and plenty to do at Exmouth and Sidmouth. The red beaches of Dawlish and Teignmouth are also easily accessible for a day out. The north Cornish coast is a favourite for families and surfers. Bude, Widemouth Bay and the National Trust beach at Crackington Haven offer white sand and places to eat.
The mining heritage of the area is apparent around Tavistock and can be experienced first hand at Morwellham Quay World Heritage key centre.
