North Devon
North Devon – with its outstanding coast, glorious moorland, plunging wooded valleys and remote, unchanging rural landscapes inland - has so much to offer the visitor, no matter what type of holiday you are looking for. On the coast you will find miles of sandy beaches at places like Woolacombe and Croyde, and some of the finest surf in Britain (whether you’re a beginner or a pro), interspersed by long and lonely stretches of dramatic soaring cliffs and rugged headlands, with the South West Coast Path running all the way along the coast, guaranteeing some exhilarating walking . The beautiful wooded valleys and winding rivers of Exmoor National Park add a softer touch to the landscape around the fringes of the high bare moorland, whilst the lively coastal towns in the area – Lynton, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and Bideford - bring a bit of seaside sparkle. Inland, there are historic market towns and hidden villages in the lovely unspoilt valleys of the Taw and the Torridge.

Arlington & Barnstaple
Nestling in the thickly wooded valley of the River Yeo, the 2,700-acre Arlington estate is a hallowed spot, a beautiful and remote world of its own just eight miles from the bustling town of Barnstaple. At the heart of the estate stands Arlington Court, the intimate and intriguing Victorian home of the remarkable Miss Rosalie Chichester. The house is crowded with treasures collected on her travels, including model ships, tapestry, pewter and exotic sea shells. Miss Chichester’s pioneering spirit is everywhere: she encouraged wildlife on the extensive estate, rare breeds graze the park, an important colony of bats lives in the house and there is an ancient heronry by the lake. Produce from the walled kitchen garden supplies the tea-room and made into preserves for sale in the shop. A new exhibition building in the stable yard houses the National Trust Carriage Museum, with more than fifty fascinating horse-drawn vehicles on display. Working horses still live in the stables and you can enjoy a carriage-ride around the grounds. Nearby Barnstaple is the commercial and agricultural hub of North Devon, where a modern shopping centre is complemented by the ancient Pannier Market and the spectacular bridges over the Taw estuary. Barnstaple has a thriving and bustling atmosphere and is the gateway to some spectacular coastline to the north and west, including the long sandy stretches of some of the country’s finest surfing beaches at Croyde and Woolacombe. Holiday cottage guests have free access to Arlington Court during opening hours.

National Trust places nearby: Watersmeet, Exmoor Coast. Shop and pub: Barnstaple 6 miles. Tea-room/café/restaurant: Barnstaple 6 miles. Beach: Woolacombe, Croyde and Westward Ho within 45 minutes drive. Other attractions: North Devon commercial and agricultural centre with shops, restaurants and leisure centre. Boats from Bideford or Ilfracombe to Lundy Island, Exmoor National Park. Activities: traffic free cycling on the Tarka Trail (National Cycle Network, Route 27) and cycle hire in Barnstaple, birdwatching, walking.

Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 180