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Dartmoor & West Devon Holiday Cottages

A holiday cottage in Dartmoor & West Devon is an ideal place for any range of holidaymakers. Whether you want to relax with the nature or take on adventure activities, you will find something for everyone with a holiday cottage in Devon. The cottages vary immensely, from converted farmhouses to medieval castles, so there is again, something for everyone. Whether you want a long holiday or a short break, there is nothing better than a country cottage to enjoy the countryside in Devon.

In West Devon, from the majestic beauty of the high tors of Dartmoor, to Norman castles, to bustling friendly market towns, to following the River Tamar, or cycling the Granite Way, there is no end of places to see and things to do. You can explore the wide open spaces of the high tors, the edges of the Moor dotted with villages with thatched cottages, rivers such as the Dart and Teign tumbling to the sea. Or take a cruise from the Barbican into Plymouth Sound and, tides permitting, up the upper reaches of the tidal River Tamar past the Devonport Royal Dockyards, with its frigates and nuclear submarines. Inland the river is crossed by several ancient stone arch bridges such as Greystone

Near Tavistock, you can climb to the top of Brentor for, on a clear day, fine views for miles around, with the tiny church of St Michael de Rupe, dating from the 12th.Century, sitting on top of a plug of granite rock. Though difficult to see from the ground, the hill is in fact guarded by the remains of an iron age rampart on its south west flank.

The Finch Foundry Museum, at Sticklepath, near Okehampton, is a fascinating 19th-Century water-powered forge in working order.

Morwellham Quay though derelict and abandoned for over a century is now restored, and is an award winning visitor attraction on the Tamar. Given the so peaceful and tranquil spot it is today, it is hard to imagine it was once the "Greatest Copper Port in Queen Victoria's Empire".

Take a day trip to the historic city of Plymouth, visiting the historic Barbican, admiring the views over the Sound from the Hoe, seeing a show at the Theatre Royal or the Pavilions, or visiting the National Marine Aquarium to be mesmerized by the Shark Wall.

Tavistock is on the western slopes of Dartmoor and is a delightful and friendly market town in West Devon.

Nestling in the foothills of the northern slopes of Dartmoor is Okehampton, which has beautiful bluebell woods. The East and West Okement Rivers, rushing through steep often wooded valleys, on their way to the sea, are popular with walkers and cyclists for their closeness to both the high peaks of the northern edge of Dartmoor, such as High Willhays and Yes Tor, and for largely off road cycling trials such as the Granite Way. The Granite Way, along a disused railway line, around the northern slopes of Dartmoor, is part of the Devon Coast to Coast cycling route.

Crow Point where the two rivers, the Taw and Torridge meet for the last few miles to the open sea, is about 4 miles from Braunton. This is Tarka Country made famous by Henry Williamson's book Tarka the Otter.

There are many places where you can buy local food produce, which you can take back to prepare and eat in your holiday cottage in Devon. There are also many highly recommended restaurants in Devon.

Places to go

Powderham Castle, lived in today by Lord and Lady Devon, is a stunning location overlooking the Exe Estuary. The present castle dates from medieval times, with extensive remodelling in the Victorian Age. For the adults and older children, there are guided tours, exploring the Music Room, Great Hall, imposing Staircase, fine plasterwork ceilings, a chapel, lavish furnishings, family portraits and a delightful rose garden. You can picnic beside the lake, and in the ancient deer park in springtime you may be very lucky and see the young deer calves gamboling in the bluebells opposite the Yacht Club slipway. Within the deerpark is one of Devon's largest heronry's. For the younger children, there is the Secret Garden with its rabbits, chickens and pot bellied pig, which they will love.

Plymouth has the National Aquarium, Smeatons Tower (Plymouth lighthouse), Plymouth Dome where you can step back in time and experience the sights and smells of an Elizabethan street, the Barbican and much more.

There are some fairs and festivals in Devon to enjoy too, with a lot of activities at Easter, including children's events at Paignton Zoo, a childrens Easter Trail at Cotehele, near Saltash, an Easter Egg Hunt at Buckland Abbey, and a family day at the Cookworthy Museum.

Historic Sights

In West Devon on Dartmoor, there is Lydford Castle in Lydford Gorge, which dates from the 11th century, an imposing now roofless three story tower atop a grassy motte. Surrounded on one side by trees and with the parish church, awash with bluebells in spring next door. Lydford Gorge is a spectacular gorge to walk through, including 90ft White Lady Waterfall, Whirlpools & Devils Cauldron. Lydford Castle was used as a prison and courthouse in the 18th century. Inside the adjacent churchyard is watchmaker George Routleigh's tomb, whose epitaph is found inside the Church. Also inside the church don't miss the carved bench ends. Beside the Porch are several headstones dating from the 1700's. Behind the Church, rarely visited by tourists, is an old iron age fort, whose defensive rings can still clearly be seen.

Okehampton Castle, on Dartmoor in West Devon consists of imposing ruins dominating the West Okement river valley on the Western Edge of Dartmoor, a mile from the town centre. Explore the motte, gatehouse, great hall and take the audio tour. This is an excellent place to go for a day trip from your holiday cottage.

So, whatever you are looking for from a UK holiday, you will be able to find it with a holiday cottage in Dartmoor & West Devon.