Top Devon hotels
WATER. Thats the priority. You should look at carrying around 3 litres a day for drinking only. You may need more for an emergency, plus any for cooking. Pasta can drink a lot! Perhaps look at other food options available for any desert crossing.
The cycleway section of the Tarka Trail between Braunton and Meeth is liberally punctuated by sets of emminently functional artworks. These include waymarkers, bench seating and shelters, all designed and created by local artists, using local materials, and with the involvement of the local communities (which included several schools). Not only are the materials used local but in many cases carefully chosen to reflect the environment the trail passes through such as the use of railway sleepers in several works and Katy Hallett's ceramics made from locally-mined clay.The collage here represents a cross-section of these works, starting from the top left corner, spiralling clockwise into the centre:One of the thirteen granite waymarkers along the route; Split Level Throne by Paul Anderson (with the view across the fields towards Petrockstowe); Figurative Bench by Paul Anderson (overlooking...
This is the final part of the cycleable section, heading south, on The Tarka Trail where the path leaves behind its twin rivers and North Devon. This 11 mile stretch begins with a gentle upwards gradient as it departs the Torridge valley, still continuing along the former railway line. Whilst less spectacular perhaps than some of the preceding sections this is still a very pleasant cycle as the trail variously passes through dense woodlands and Devon's rich agrigultural heartland. The woodlands are lush and diverse, showcasing just about every indigenous breed of tree as well as their accompanying ground foliage. The farmlands equally lush with both pasture and crops naturally irrigated by gurgling brooks and springs. And of course being summer everything is delightfully bordered by the colourful profusion of wildflowers.The upwards gradient tails off about half-way at Yarde, which hosts...
This six mile stretch takes you into Tarka Country proper as the trail, still following the course of the old railway line, crisscrosses the winding loops of the River Torridge. According to the old guy who mended my puncture at the Torrington Cycle Hire unit this is the part of the river where you are most likely to see otters. Unfortunately I haven't been so lucky as yet but the verdantly-wooded river banks and fast-flowing waters certainly conjure up mental images of otters at play.This really is a pleasant cycle though as the trail leaves Bideford's former railway station heading up the estuary as the river narrows, leaving behind its tidal outlet. The early summer sun dappling through the wooded canopy and the pastoral river views are a delight in themselves but when there's a perfectly good pub at the end of the ride then the trip is doubly rewarded. At Great Torrington's former...
This short, 3-mile, section of The Tarka Trail leaves from the former Instow railway station to arrive about half-an-hour later (having so many photo-ops en-route!!) at the former railway station of Bideford - HA! Which is actually in the entirely separate town of East-The-Water!!! The cyclepath/walkway here follows the east bank of the mouth of the River Torridge heading south towards Meeth, its terminus in central Devon, and is easily accessible as a footpath by the excellent local bus services, tho' cycling will require starting from Barnstaple.On the day that I took these photos (there being many more days to come as I continue the trail southwards) I had sort of intended to stop off at The Wayfarer in Instow for lunch and then just make a swift in and out of Bideford before returning to Barnstaple and the crazy guys at The Rolle Quay pub. Lunch tho' became very much a secondary...
For those who don't know, the South West Coast Path is truly beautiful and covers Dorset, Devon and Cornwall in the UK. Exploring this has just got a whole load easier and thats what my tip here is about. Believed to be the worlds first fully interactive, living book detailing the South West Coast Path, I used this revolutionary travel guide at easter time with the family and chilidren. Easy to read, quick to navigate and brimming with information, there are more than one and a half hours of original, high definition video of 15 walks held on the DVD itself. By using the disc in a PC or MAC with an internet connection it revealed endless information for planning a trip: from 40 route maps to local pub information; 3D fly-throughs to over 800 photographs; historical points of interest to local wildlife...it is virtually endless. Soft coded web links keep the book fresh, with real-time...
160 of the 180 miles of The Tarka Trail is footpath and for the most part entirely infernal-combusting-engine free (except for the odd section where the trail crosses a road). Of the footpath sections; many also double-up as cyclepaths, bridal paths and are even wheelchair accessible, thus opening up this magical hour-glass shaped wodge of Devon to tourists and locals alike.The anomalous 20 mile stretch between Barnstaple and Eggesford however requires either a train journey or to use the main road (the A377) - or, thinking about it, you could always kayak it!! None of these options are unpleasant. Both the road and the railway line follow the Taw Valley, meandering, as does the river, through the lush mid-Devon pastures, crossing and recrossing the main river and its many major and minor tributaries - and of course if you kayak it...just don't take any turn-offs!!OK cycling the road is...
The mainstay of The Tarka Project is The Tarka Trail which was developed using existing footpaths and disused railway lines, with the first section, the 9 miles from Barnstaple to Bideford, completed in 1987. The northern circuit which takes in the stretch of the South West Coastal Path between Braunton and Lynton/Lynmouth before returning across Exmooor to Barnstaple was completed in 1991. The southern loop following the Rivers Taw and Torridge was completed the following year and the Trail officially opened in 1992 by HRH The Prince of Wales.The present Tarka Trail, which is continually undergoing development as shorter loop trails are added, comprises 4 main sections: the 46 mile cycle/walkway between Ilfracombe and Meeth most of which runs on level, traffic-free, former railway lines (the exception being the stretch between Braunton and Willingcott), the northern loop following the...
There seems to me no reason whatsoever why this section doesn't have, at least, a continuous footpath following the river: there are sections which are walkable, there are bridges across the river and the many streams, trodden paths under the railway bridges - yep, it's all there and given the investment in the other sections of the trail then just joining the existing pieces here shouldn't require a major investment. So why not? Let's analyse:This section of The River Taw has some of the best salmon and trout fishing in Devon and the privately owned tracts of river here, with their attendant fishing rights, change hands for sums of money in excess of what it would cost to buy a house and are bought-up by City folk who don't even live here, people who buy local properties as their "Devon Retreats" and perhaps do spend a little money locally (when they're here) but do very little to...
Having heard that there were lots of pubs in Braunton, about 6 miles east and slightly north of Barnstaple, the town seemed a natural choice for my next Tarka Trail cycling destination. This stretch of the trail runs, once again, on the disused railway line and follows initially the north bank of the River Taw before veering inland at Chivenor. Whilst a little more built-upon than the south bank this section still affords sweeping river vistas and pastoral rural landscapes as well as some interesting off-trail digressions.One small word of warning here tho' is that on arrival at Braunton the signage isn't quite as clear as it could be and I found myself taking a wrong turning and ending up in the middle of the sand dunes of the Ministry of Defence's training area - fortunately it wasn't a "Red Flag" day! Also fortuitous is that the rough tracks thro' the dunes do lead out onto Saunton...
Dudley Hotel Plymouth
1 Review and 48 Opinions Plymouth is a place that work causes me to pass through quite often and so over the years I've had...
Holiday Inn Express Exeter Exeter
1 Review and 181 Opinions We stayed here because it was relatively cheap, and quite close to Andrew's family, who we were...
Braddon Hall Hotel Torquay
1 Review and 57 Opinions We have recently spent a fantastic 3 night stay at the Braddon Hall Hotel and look forward to...
Reviews and photos of Devon attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Devon sightseeing.
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Q: Hello, I am planning a trip to the UK and I am taking my 75 year old father back to meet up with his sister and husband. I would...
A: G'day Brian, and a big welcome to this great travel site. Devon is one of the biggest counties in the UK, and I think you should expand your question a little. For...
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