Things To See & Do

West Somerset Railway

20 miles of heritage railway through stunning Somerset countryside and coast.

Trains run regularly between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard, Taunton with 8 picturesque stops including Dunster, Blue Anchor and Watchet. It's the longest heritage railway in Britain and makes for a great day out while staying at Chough's Nest.

Visit their website for information, prices and the latest timetables.

Dartington Crystal

The home of British handcrafted crystal, don't miss the chance to watch skilled craftsmen and women shaping raw molten glass into intricate designs and high quality homeware.

Dartington Crystal Factory experience is a fantastic North Devon attraction with a new visitor centre and the opportunity to purchase some luxury crystal in their factory shop.

Exmoor Red Stag Safari

Enjoy unparalleled views of Exmoor with a safari experience from Red Stag Safari.

There's a chance to see Exmoor wildlife on the open moors, including wild Red Deer and Exmoor Ponies as well as fox, hares and birds of prey.

Safari departure points closest to the hotel include Porlock and Exford, but they can be flexible, so call or email them to discuss requirements.

Hele Corn Mill & Tea Rooms

Hele Cornmill is a unique 16th century water mill in North Devon, located just outside of Ilfracombe, near the stunning Hele Bay Beach.

As well as experiencing a fully working water mill, Hele Corn Mill serves wonderful lunches and afternoon teas in their award-winning tea rooms and gardens.

Opening times do vary, so please check their website and Facebook pages for news and times.

Exmoor Zoo

With over 170 species in 12 acres of lushly planted Exmoor countryside the zoo is a popular visitor attraction right in the heart of North Devon.

Open most of the year, they host educational talks and scheduled feeding times throughout the day which focus on a variety of topics and subjects about their mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Visit their website for information on admission prices and events.

Exmoor Adventures

Exmoor Adventures is an e-bike hire and activity base, located at beautiful Porlock Weir. With calm Porlock bay to the North and incredible rolling hills of Exmoor to the South, they are perfectly positioned for a range of exciting outdoor activities.

Find your next Exmoor adventure with their range of mountain biking, kayaking, archery, paddleboarding activities and more...

Visit their website for the full list of activites and prices.

Dunster Castle (NT)

An ancient castle located in the heart of Dunster village with dramatic vistas and terraced subtropical gardens.

Once a lavish Victorian family home, the castle is steeped in history and features a working water mill with demonstrations, tea rooms and gift shop.

For opening times and admission prices, visit the National Trust website.

Arlington Court & Carriage Museum (NT)

An intriguing Regency house with an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles, set in a picturesque North Devon parkland and gardens including a walled Kitchen Garden.

The former home of the Chichester family, Arlington Court hosts a collection of treasures and curiosities and with miles of trails and footpaths it is definitely worth a day of exploring.

Clovelly

Clovelly is a beautiful, picturesque North Devon fishing village, steeped in maritime atmosphere and history

Featuring a picture-postcard harbour, visitors to Clovelly can experience beautiful coastal walks, Victorian kitchen gardens, an historic harbour-side pub and craft workshops as well as many events and festivals held throughout the year.

Knightshayes (NT)

Overlooking Tiverton with acres of glorious garden and parks surrounding this spectacular house is a grand example of Gothic Revival architecture by Victorian visionary William Burges.

The formal and woodland garden is one of the finest and most varied plant collections in the country. With over 1200 plant species unique to Knightshayes.

For opening times and admission prices, visit the National Trust website.

Lundy Island

Located some 11½ miles off the western coast of North Devon, a day trip to Lundy is an unforgettable experience.

Set sail on the graceful MS Oldenburg, which departs from Ilfracombe or Bideford three times a week, and explore the diverse range of things to do on an island only three miles in length, and half-a-mile wide.

There is 4000 years of human history to discover as well as rich and varied wildlife: puffins, seals, dolphins, Sika deer and more

To book day tickets, view timetables and fares, visit the website link below.

RHS Rosemoor

Nestled in the Torridge Valley, RHS Garden Rosemoor is an enchanting place to visit in every season.

Featuring a rich horticultural heritage and displaying a variety of planting styles to inspire visitors, the gardens' 65 acres make for a glorious day out in Devon, blending formal and informal planting to magical effect.

Marwood Hill Gardens

A 20-acre private garden located in the heart of North Devon.

The gardens feature impressive collections of plants, shrubs and trees, including Astilbes and Camellia. Set in a calm, tranquil North Devon valley, Marwood Hill is a wonderful haven in which to relax, enjoy and experience the views and peaceful atmosphere.

Castle Hill Gardens

Discover 50 acres of enchanting landscape set against the beautiful 18th century Palladian house.

Explore scented pathways and majestic woodland. This is a garden for all seasons; highlights include the Millennium Garden, Devon's longest Camelia hedge and Magnolia Wood. Wander by the river to the Ugley Bridge then climb to the Castle for magnificent views of Exmoor, Dartmoor and beyond.

Hartland Abbey & Gardens

Built in the 12th Century, Hartland Abbey features Walled and Woodland gardens, with walks and parkland providing visitors with extensive grounds through which to wander and enjoy.

The stunning valley leads down to the rugged Atlantic cove and cottage at Blackpool Mill, the location for many notable films.

Lynmouth Beaches

Encompassing Blacklands Beach on the eastern side of the Lyn River estuary, Lynmouth's shingle beaches are also known for their numerous rock pools and views of the Countisbury headland and Foreland Point.

Enjoy the beautiful sunsets towards the West which turn the headland a deep red colour during the late summer evenings.

Lee Bay Beach

With golden sands exposed at low tide, this attractive little bay can be accessed via the coastal toll road (£2 for motor vehicles) through the Valley of Rocks from Lynton.

There is a car park and a toilet block at the top of the gated drive which leads down to the secluded beach. The Lee Abbey Tea Cottage is open in the summer months offering food and refreshments.

Woolacombe Beach

Award-winning Woolacombe Beach is widely recognised as one of the best beaches in the UK. Located on the North Devon coast, between Croyde and Ilfracombe, the 3-mile sandy beach is popular with surfers and those looking for a traditional seaside experience.

Overlooked by the South West Coast Path and edged with sand dunes, Woolacombe Beach has superb views to Lundy Island and is renowned for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities.

Putsborough Sands

Located at the southern end of Woolacombe Beach and sheltered beneath the stunning headland of Baggy Point, the beach at Putsborough can be quieter than Woolacombe but still great for surfing with cafe, beach shop, surf hire and toilet facilities.

There is a large car park above the beach, for which there is a daily charge.

Croyde Bay

The sandy beach at Croyde is backed by sand dunes and situated in a small bay featuring spectacular scenery.

The unspoilt village is steeped in old-world charm, popular with swimmers, more experienced surfers and sunbathers and rated as one of the best surfing beaches in the world. There are several footpaths around the village, in particular walks to Baggy Point which offer spectacular views.

The village boasts a range of food outlets, toilets, shops and beach car park.

Saunton Sands & Braunton Burrows

Saunton Sands Beach in North Devon is an idyllic 3-mile stretch of stunning golden sand, backed by the UNESCO-protected Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve.

Facilities include parking, a beach shop, deckchair hire, restaurant, surf hire and lessons.

Braunton Burrows is a sand dune system which is home to a large number of rare plants and animals.