Activities and places of interest in the Tamar Valley and nearby Devon and Cornwall
Neighbouring attractions
Our neighbours at South Hooe Farm have opened up their wetland reserve created by re-flooding the previously reclaimed land to the general public via their South Hooe Cottage Farmland Nature Trail on the first Saturday of each month to enable visitors to view the increasing numbers of wading birds including rare avocets attracted by the new wetland.
At the top of our lane is the bijou Tamar Valley Vineyard providing summer tours and tasting of the vineyard's produce which has proved popilar amongst guests.
Within a twenty mile radius
The following activities are available within the vicinity:
tennis, riding, pony trekking or rambling over Dartmoor, mountain biking, paintballing, canoe guiding, tree-surfing, off-road driving, indoor climbing, archery not to mention the many walking opportunities along the Bere Peninsula footpaths, the Tamar Discovery Trail and Tamara Coast to Coast Way connecting north and south coasts of Cornwall following the Tamar. Examples below:
The Tamar Trails Centre, less than ten minutes' drive, offers a range of activities in the reclaimed former Devon Great Consuls mining landscape, including rambling, mountain biking, archery, tree surfing and canoeing.
Nearby Dartmoor National Park with its wild open moorland and deep river valleys provides fantastic views with extensive rambling, cycling, canoeing, climbing, letterboxing and geocaching opportunities.
Cholwell Riding Stables on the moor above Tavistock caters for novice to experienced horse riders and provides escorted rides directly onto Dartmoor.
Just a few miles away are the National Trust properties of Cotehele, Buckland Abbey (home of the renowned explorer and vanquisher of the Spanish Armada Sir Francis Drake) and Lydford Gorge the deepest river gorge in the south west with an imposing waterfall (when wet!) and Devil’s Cauldron pothole.
The Granite Way is a spectacular 11 mile cycle route between Lydford and Okehampton with fantastic views of Dartmoor and surrounding countryside. Refreshments at Okehampton, Meldon and Lydford. Cycle hire at the YHA Okehampton and Devon Cycle Hire Sourton Down both based directly on the route.
The Arundell has renowned river fishing facilities. First class tuition in fly fishing is available to the experienced angler or keen beginner at a country sports hotel at Lifton. 40 minutes away
Tavistock Trout Fishery comprises five fly fishing lakes, float fishing lake and tackle shop. 15/20 minutes away
The Barn Climbing Centre for indoor climbing provides good entertainment for a rainy day – Experienced climbers or novices. Taster sessions. Near Milton Abbott about 15/20 minutes away. Tel 01822 870521
Gardening enthusiasts will enjoy the famous Garden House and innovative Wildside Nursery at nearby Buckland Monachorum.
Nearby Towns and Cities
A short drive of 20 minutes leads to the nearest town – the ancient Stannary town of Tavistock- straddling the lovely River Tavy, with its many impressive historic buildings including the remains of the former Benedictine Abbey, an interesting museum of mining and local history and the lively covered Pannier Market to browse in. Two walks of interest along level ground follow the old railway line over the towering viaduct and the historic Tavistock canal.
Plymouth with its stunning oceanic topography and wealth of attractions is a must for the visitor. There is so much to see including The Hoe, The Barbican, Royal William Yard, The 17th Century Royal Citadel, The Theatre Royal and The National Marine Aquarium. You can take a cruise to see the naval dockyards or further up river and ferries across to Mount Edgecumbe Park.
Plymouth is 33 minutes by car from North Hooe but only 15 minutes away by train on the picturesque Tamar Valley Line (from nearby Bere Alston or Bere Ferrers stations). In the opposite direction within minutes guests can be chugging over the impressive railway viaduct to the charming as yet un-gentrified fishing village of Calstock on the Cornish side of the Tamar.
Want to venture further afield?
North Hooe, standing on the Devon / Cornwall county border marked by the River Tamar is an ideal springboard for exploring the innumerable diverse attractions to the north, south, east and west of both counties including stunning coastlines, delightful fishing villages, historic towns and landmarks, vast moorland spaces, hidden valleys and myriad of opportunities for swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, rambling, trekking and other activities.
Not far into Cornwall you can visit the English Heritage's Launceston Castle with a thousand year history and spectacular views from the summit over Launceston once the capital of Cornwall.
Deeper into Cornwall you can visit the renowned Eden Project and magical Lost Gardens of Heligan with 200 acres of reclaimed delight.
National Trust properties within an hour's drive include Saltram in Plympton Devon and on the Cornish side, Antony a fine Queen Anne building on the River Lynher and Lanhydrock which provides glimpses of how both wealthy and their employees lived.
The North and South coasts of both counties with their many picturesque maritime villages and sandy beaches are well within reach and provide opportunities for fishing, swimming and surfing.
To the South a short drive east of Plymouth the River Yealm with the pretty former fishing villages of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers on either side, is the site of beautiful walks and ferries to and around the headlands. If you feel like a swim a quarter of an hour’s more drive brings you to the wide open beach at Bigbury and the intriguing sea tractor crossing to Burgh Island of Agatha Christie's fame.
To the west of Plymouth lies the beautiful Fowey estuary with its various charming villages headed up by delightful Fowey town known for its attractive houses, interesting shops and waterfront activity.
On the north coast Bude and surrounding beaches like Widemouth Bay are excellent for swimming and surfing as are places further south like Polzeath. Villages like Padstow famous for its restaurants associated with Rick Stein and Port Isaac of "Doc Martin" television series fame, are popular following their exposure in the media and there are many quieter villages and beaches to visit that do not require too long a drive.
