A Royal Horticultural Society garden in Torrington, Devon, Rosemoor is a beautiful place to explore for the whole family.  With seasonal events and activities throughout the summer in particular, there’s also a beautiful kitchen garden for lunch.  

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Life on Dartmoor might look like it’s all sheep farming and wild swimming, but the history of it is all encompassing.  In an independent museum run by a charitable trust, the Museum of Dartmoor Life is a family friendly attraction detailing 5000 years of history in this magical and mystical part of the world.  Open seasonally, they have a range of activities available for children, and collections showcasing Dartmoor trades, the local military, prison and transport, as well as a reconstructed Bronze Age hut.  

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On a wooded spur above River Okement, Okehampton Castle is the remains of the largest castle in Devon, one that was built soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle.  In the 14th century it became a rather more luxurious residence to Hugh Courtenay, the Earl of Devon, but when he fell out of favour with Henry VIII, the castle fell to ruin, and the result is what you see today.  When you visit, it’s a chance to picnic in the grounds and walk through the woodlands nearby, taking in the scenery and the history, perhaps with the aid of an audio tour to bring it all to life. Okehampton Castle is open seasonally so do check the website for further details.

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Charming Par 68 Parkland Course in the heart of Devon Founded in 1913, members, friends and guests have played golf here for over a hundred years and whilst much may have changed, visitors to Okehampton can always be assured of a warm welcome.

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Enjoy 18 holes discounted to £20 with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card

Head to Woolley Animals, a family run farm park surrounded by glorious Devon countryside where you’ll find a huge array of animals including llama, alpacas, pigs, goats, sheep, miniature donkeys, miniature ponies, and other friendly small animals for cuddling. Guests can also experience a complimentary guided alpaca walk around pasture land, a lake and woodland. Lots of fun for all ages plus an onsite cafe serving delicious homemade cakes. 

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This historic 18th century pub with cosy beamed interior is very much the heart of the village of Northlew welcoming visitors and locals alike.  Offering beers from the West Country’s favourite breweries alongside a home cooked menu with regular specials and themed nights. 

The Green Dragon, Northlew EX20 3NN (T: 01409 221228)

A friendly, 15^th century inn overlooking Dartmoor with roaring inglenook fires, real ales direct from the barrel and a popular dining room offering excellent menus including the pub’s renowned made to order steak and kidney puddings, along with other high quality meals making use of the area’s excellent local meat and farm produce.

The Duke of York Iddesleigh, Winkleigh EX19 8BG (T: 01837 810253)

A great local alternative to the coffee shop chains, this friendly café serves good coffee, teas and a range of delicious homemade cakes along with healthy smoothies and light meals.  

Toast 2-4 Market St, Okehampton EX20 1HN (T: 01837 54494)

High quality Indian food to eat in or takeaway served by friendly staff.  Unlicenced but guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol. 

A welcoming, contemporary restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus full of good quality locally sourced ingredients.

Two Rivers Restaurant 16 Fore Street, Okehampton EX20 1AN (T: 01837 52981)

Bucks Mills beach is situated in a rocky secluded cove at the bottom end of the ancient fishing village of Bucks Mills. No public toilets, no shops or other facilities, just a lovely place. Car parking is available at Bucks Mills car park EX39 5DY.

By the small seaside town of Westward Ho! is a comparatively huge and sandy beach, extending two miles north of the town.  To the north it is is backed by a pebble ridge and behind that is Northam Burrows Country Park.  You can access the beach from a number of places; via steps and a slipway in Westward Ho!, or by the ridge itself.  Dogs are banned from most of the beach from May to September, but they are allowed north of Sandymere all year round.  There are two small car parks by the sea front and plenty of parking behind the beach in Northam Burrows Country Park.  Toilets are available in various locations and there are cafes and shops close by in Westward Ho! itself.  The area is popular with surfers and happily there are lifeguards on hand in the summer months as well.

A good choice for families, Instow is a pleasant sandy beach with safe swimming protected from swell by sandbanks at the mouth of the Taw estuary.  There’s plenty to do including kayaking and windsurfing and lots of space for children to play.  There are some good café’s to choose from, and the beach is easily accessible with a car park and toilets.  Dogs allowed October to April. 

Less the five minutes on foot from the centre of Bude, Summerleaze Beach is an easy beach to get to and enjoy for the whole day.  There’s a river flanking the sandy beach and it’s sheltered by a breakwater, making it popular with families and surfers.  You can book beach huts daily or weekly, and adding to its charm is a part man-made/part natural salt water sea pool to swim in at the foot of the cliff, that’s been welcoming swimmers since it opened in 1930.  There’s lifeguard cover in the summer months, dogs need to be kept on leads from May to September, and there are toilets and disabled toilets close by as well as an RNLI shop, sandy play area, a beach café, and a large car park that leads directly to the sand dunes.

Crooklets Beach, near Bude, offers golden sands and rock pools to explore.  There is a cafe right on the sea front and access from teh car park is level.  There are public toilets and an outdoor shower for sandy toes.  Car parking is available at Crooklets Road car park EX23 8LG.