WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM TREE TOPS 

Upper Tamar Lake

Within walking distance and offering a delightful 5K walk around the reservoir, as well as watersports including sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle boarding. The Frog Hopper cafe serves light lunches, cakes and drinks and a new children's play area will keep young children entertained. This is a well stocked fishing lake and hosts many fishing competitions throughout the year. If Park Runs are your thing, then a weekly 5k run takes place every Saturday morning.

Lower Tamar Lake

This smaller lake and nature reserve is within easy walking distance and is a great place to spot an abundance of wildfowl. This lake is also popular for anglers. Check out their website for further details about both lakes.

LOCAL AND WITHIN 15-30 MINUTES DRIVE

Bude

A delightful town offering many independent shops as well as the beaches of Summerleaze and Crooklets and the popular Bude sea pool. Crooklets has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Blue Flag award for excellent water quality, and the 2023 Seaside Award which celebrates the quality and diversity of the coastline. Just 9 beaches in Cornwall were awarded the Blue Flag, 3 of which were in Bude and 14 Cornish beaches were awarded the Seaside Award, 3 of which were in Bude and another at Crackington Haven.

Summerleaze also scooped the 2023 Blue Flag award and 2023 Seaside Award meaning you are spoilt for choice for quality beaches in the area. The iconic beach huts can be hired in advance through the Tourist Information Centre. Treat yourself to fish & chips on the beach, a traditional Cornish pasty or eat out at one of the many cafes, pubs and restaurants in town. There are frequent craft shows and displays of local artwork at the castle and a farmers' market is held every Friday by the picturesque canal, you could even try kayaking or renting a pedalo here. The historic lock gates separate the sea from the canal and you can enjoy watching the world go by whilst enjoying a meal and a glass of something fizzy in the nearby pubs and restaurants. Dogs are welcome on Summerleaze and Crooklets but seasonal restrictions do apply.

Widemouth Bay

Another beautiful long beach attracting surfers and families and the 3rd Bude beach to be awarded the 2023 Blue Flag and 2023 Seaside Award. There are small cafes for refreshment and after a day at the beach there are delightful pubs and restaurants offering locally sourced food. Dogs are welcome but seasonal restrictions apply although the southern end of the beach is dog friendly all year round.

You can learn to surf or bodyboard at Widemouth Bay with one of the local activity companies.....  Atlantic Pursuits offers a bespoke and unique water sports experience.  Sam and his team specialise in small private family & group sessions for surfing and bodyboarding.  They also offer Canadian canoeing and the entertaining Jungle Run on the Bude canal.  Their training and experience will guarantee you a safe but yet exhilarating time, ensuring a great time is had by all.  Check out the Atlantic Pursuits website for further details, their link is on our Useful Contacts page.

Duckpool Beach

A smaller quieter National Trust beach tucked in a cove under the impressive 100 metre high Steeple Point Cliff. This beach is not suitable for swimming due to the strong currents.

Northcott Mouth Beach

Another National Trust beach, this one is a rocky cove, with a sandy beach and the remains of the SS Belem 1917 shipwreck being exposed at low tide.

South West Coastal Path

This popular long distance path will delight you with the panoramic coastal views towards North Devon and down into Cornwall. There are plenty of access points including Clovelly, Hartland Point and Quay, Duckpool, Sandymouth, and Bude making this perfect for both long and short walks.

Hartland

Hartland is a unique rural village, unspoilt and unchanged with village shops, galleries and heritage to explore. Hartland Point offers stunning views of the ocean, the lighthouse sat on the peninsula and across to Lundy Isle. The 12th Century Hartland Abbey has remained within the same family since the Tudor era. It is a building of historical and architectural importance and provides a treasure trove of items and decoration from the Medieval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. The walled and woodland gardens and parkland provide plenty of places to wander and explore. There are nature trails, a quiz, donkeys, peacocks and black Welsh Mountain sheep to keep children entertained. Why not explore the valley and head down to the Atlantic cove and quaint cottage at Blackpool Mill. You may well recognise the Abbey, gardens and grounds as they have been used for many films and tv dramas. The lovely tea room serves homemade food and cakes so why not treat yourself to a cream tea the Devon way! Hartland Quay has a lovely sand and pebble beach with rock pools to explore and with an historic maritime past, smugglers and many shipwrecks in the area, the museum is worth a visit.  On a stormy day the waves crashing against the cliffs are spectacular! This is another great location for films and tv dramas. 

Clovelly

This beautiful unspoilt, quaint little fishing village is set on the steep sided 400ft sea cliffs. The pedestrianised cobbled main street with its traditional architecture and donkeys leads down to the fishing harbour and 14th Century quay. There are shops, galleries, museums and craft workshops to visit or head out to sea on a chartered fishing trip.

The Milky Way Adventure Park is an award winning all weather family attraction.  Ride the roller coaster, explore the maze, have fun on the gravity donut slide, pilot a scooter, whizz around on the dodgems, play tag in the ninja arena and watch the outdoor bird of prey displays plus so much more. 

The North Devon Wake Park and Aqua Park offers fun for all the family.  Choose from wakeboarding, paddleboarding, ringo rides, volleyball and the total wipe out style obstacle course complete with slides and trampolines, climbing frames and running mats..... why not take on the challenge!

The Big Sheep has family rides to thrill, animals to pet, sheep racing, duck trialling, live shows and one of the South West's largest indoor playground.

RHS Rosemoor

Situated in the Torridge Valley, RHS Rosemoor is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year.  With its many diverse gardens and a stunning selection of trees and plants from around the world there is plenty to see and explore.  From the delightful blossom and bulbs in the spring, the vibrant hot garden in the summer, the colourful leaves in the autumn and the structural interest in the winter this RHS garden really is a delight in every season.  There is a stumpery to visit, formal gardens, scented rose gardens, woodlands, a stream and lake, a Devon orchard, a walled fruit and vegetable garden, Arboretums and so much more.  There are play areas for children to enjoy and plenty of space to run around as well as sculptures to find and trails to follow.  Treat yourself to lunch in the Courtyard Cafe or cake and coffee at the Shepherd's Rest before visiting the garden centre and shop.  Regular events take place throughout the year including the rose festival and the flower show in the summer, half term Halloween activities and the winter light show.  There are numerous workshops to suit many different interests as well as art exhibitions, music events, guided walks and presentations - check out their website for what's on during your holiday in Devon.

30 MINUTES TO AN HOURS DRIVE AWAY

IN DEVON....

Dartmoor National Park

Roadford Lake

Oakhampton

Oakhampton Castle (English Heritage)

Castle Drogo

Cobbaton Combat Collection

IN CORNWALL....

Launceston

Launceston Steam Railway

Boscastle

Tintagel

The Arthurian Centre

King Arthurs Castle (English Heritage)

Port Isaac

IN DEVON....

Woolacombe

Croyde Bay

Saunton Sands

Ilfracombe

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor Zoo

Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park

Watermouth Castle & Theme Park

Arlington Court (National Trust)

IN CORNWALL....

Lanhydrock (National Trust)

Cardinham Woods

Bodmin Moor

Bodmin Gaol

Camel Creek Adventure Park

Polzeath

Padstow

FURTHER AFIELD

THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY AMAZING PLACES TO LIST IN DEVON & CORNWALL BUT HERE ARE A FEW MORE ...........

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THERE REALLY IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO DO WHEN VISITING THE AREA

GOLF

If you fancy a game of golf our local courses are.....

Holsworthy Golf Club surrounded by beautiful countryside and offering a glimpse of Dartmoor in the distance.

Ivyleaf Golf Course & Driving Range overlooks the inland moors as well as the Cornish coastline and nearby Bude.

Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club is an old style links course with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

HORSE RIDING

Garlands Farm Trekking & Riding Centre is set in 30 acres and is surrounded by beautiful forestry.  The highly qualified friendly coaches offer fantastic fun filled forestry treks which are suitable from beginner to advanced level.  A great way to enjoy a relaxing ride out.

Broomhill Manor Stables is a fun and friendly riding stables close to Bude and offer riding for all ages and abilities on well-schooled horses and ponies.

Dartmoor National Park there are several riding stables on Dartmoor giving you the opportunity to ride on open moorland, bridleways and historic byways.  Further details can be found on the tourist information site, visitdartmoor.co.uk

Exmoor National Park has over 400 miles of bridleways to explore.  Choose from one of the local riding stables to guide you through heather clad moorland, ancient woodlands and remote farmland.  Further details can be found on the tourist information site, visit-exmoor.co.uk

YOU REALLY ARE SPOILT FOR CHOICE....

SURFING & BODYBOARDING

COASTEERING & GORGE SCRAMBLING

CLIMBING & CAVING

ARCHERY & SHOOTING

ROWING & PEDALOS

SEGWAY & SUP

CANOE & KAYAKING

SAILING & WINDSURFING

WALKING & CYCLING

There are plenty of bridleways, paths and trails to explore, including:

The South West Coastal Path which stretches over 630 miles from Poole in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset.  With its dramatic coastal scenery and inland views, we are lucky to be situated so close to the path and its many access points throughout North Cornwall and Devon. 

The Tarka Trail, inspired by the novel about Tarka the Otter, is a 180 mile, walking and cycling trail winding through the North Devon countryside, traversing sea cliffs, passing through beautiful beaches, the historic town of Barnstaple, the River Taw and its estuary and the high peaks of Exmoor National Park. 

Dartmoor National Park has plenty of routes to choose from whether you fancy a couple of miles or 12+miles.  The landscape is spectacular with its open moorland, rocky tors and deep river valleys.

Exmoor National Park with towering cliffs, heather clad hillsides, woodlands and picturesque paths and bridleways, this is a great place for both walking and cycling.  There are many routes to explore for all abilities in the valleys and upper moors, woods and villages.

FISHING

Upper Tamar Lake is a well stocked lake with carp well over 30lb.  Fancy a challenge - the largest carp caught was 46lb in 2007!

Chartered fishing, independent charters can offer unique fishing experiences around the coast of Bude, North Devon and Lundy Island.

Sea fishing is popular on many of the Bude beaches as well as from the breakwater and the harbour on Summerleaze.

WET WEATHER ACTIVITIES

Indoor

When you fancy a day indoors.....

Bude Leisure Centre features a 25m swimming pool with a flume and wave machine.

Why not have a game of  ten pin bowling at The Venue, Bude.  They also have a soft play area for children and a games area with pool tables and air hockey.

Rebel Cinema at Treskinnick Cross is a small traditional style cinema showing the latest big screen releases.

The Big Sheep at Bideford has one of the South West's largest indoor playgrounds, Ewetopia.  It is suitable for ANY age group making it ideal for the whole family.

The Milky Way near Clovelly has over 110,000sq ft of indoor activities, from dodgems, drop slides, play areas, archery and laser shooting, there really is something for every age group.

Outdoor

If you're going to get wet, you may as well get really WET

At the Upper Tamar Lake Activity Centre visitors can experience kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing and windsurfing.  You can receive tuition from qualified instructors, hire equipment or launch your own craft.

The North Devon Wake Park offers wakeboarding, paddleboarding, ringo rides and volleyball activities.  Or you could have a go on the total wipe out style obstacle course at the Aquapark.

The Bude Canoe Experience is great fun.  Paddling in open canoes on Bude's gorgeous canal, it's a perfect chance to enjoy the tranquility of the water, to explore and to spot an abundance of wildlife.