The Barton Cross Hotel

Fingal's Bridge

by angelis

Day after John's birthday and everyone is recovering from the Russian Restaurant (and its 40plus varieties of vodka) so we head off to FIngal's Bridge. Take the A30 out of Exeter on the Oakhampton road. As you drive the land to the left becomes wilder; gorse and moorland, crowned by the occasional tor. Turning off the main road you end up on ever smaller roads to the tiny village of Drewsteignton and down the side of the valley to the Bridge. There is a nice pub with a furnace like fire that serves okay food, for (I thought!) a hefty price, but it's a good place to sit and watch the wildlife while you down a few beers. Inevitably my kids ended up in the River Dart so taking spare clothes is a good idea. There are also beautiful woodland walks up and down both sides of the river. Castle Drogo estate also starts here but I'm saving that walk for a non-hangover day as I have no idea how big a hike it is. Probably a very busy place in the summer, which might make car parking a problem.

Exeter Cathedral

by roamer61

One of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in England, this is a masterwork of gothic ecclestial architecture at its best. Much of the building dates to the 12th century with later additions made in future centuries.

The Riddle Sculpture

by freya_heaven

Standing at 6 meters high this intreiging, eye catching sculpture is slap bang in the middle of the high street in Exeter city centre.

The walls are covered with riddles written backwards, so you have to read them in their reflection the pointed sides. Very clever idea. Some of the riddles are from the 10th century, the 1st bishop of Exeter, Leofric, wrote a book of 96 riddles, for centuries it was kept in a tomb of Exeter Cathedral. Some of his work has been engraved amongst newer riddles. Although they had to be edited to be more suitable for a family audience!

It was certainly attracting a lot of attention when we were there.

From Newton to Exeter

by johngayton

"A Philosophy Lesson"

All journeys have a destination, but equally they all have an origin - they have to start somewhere!

And for me an ideal journey starts with a pub and ends with one, and if there are several in between then life is good.

This is where the journey from Newton to Exeter both foreplays and climaxes and the bits in between are quite satisfying as well.

"Photos From A Moving Train"

This is one of my favourite little bits of train journey, the views travelling along the south Devon coastline are stunning, even though it's only about 20 mins.