goin on Hol in Bideford N/Devon

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 12 Aug 2006, 15:07

I will be in Bideford (North Devon) near Barnstaple end of Sept for a week. Not been before, just want a change...

So anyone know of nice places to visit in the area? I wanted a boat ride up the river but no-one does any..

Don't fancy going to Lundy island, too far, too rough and it's an all day thing.. (Good cure for sea sickness.. sit under a tree) lol..

Some brill rentals about,

4 bedroom houses on the Dorset, Devon, Somerset, and Cornish coasts and inland for around £600 a week if you avoid kids hols and mid-summer..

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 16 Aug 2006, 18:29

I used to live in Bideford and they did river trips then, but I agree that there's nothing advertised now. You may well find when you get there that a local boat owner is willing to take you out in exchange for a couple of beers.
Failing that, the Instow - Appledore ferry is worth a trip, and there are coastal trips from Clovelly.
I'll have a think about other attractions, and post here again soon. What sort of things do you enjoy doing?
Yu've chosen the right time: N Devon gets very crowded 'in season', but should be quieter by then. Many attractions shut down for the winter, though, so there may not be quite so much choice.

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 18 Aug 2006, 02:15

Cheers dsney.. I realy like doin nothing.. lol.. Just drive around, eat at nice pubs. Take some nice photos, Visit local villages, take the dog for a walk, and enjoy the views..

I might take the "tarka trail" for walkers, if they let me go by car.. he he

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 18 Aug 2006, 13:48

pop to Exmoor for a decent walk

I used to live nearish...

john

demag · Post by **demag** » 18 Aug 2006, 19:51

Pop to Ilfracombe. Its lovely by the harbour with shops, chippie and nice pub.

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 22 Aug 2006, 00:51

sounds good to me, thanks, just watch the local papers to see the bit about a bloke caught driving along the coastal walks, after I get there.. lmho

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 22 Aug 2006, 11:47

A few ideas:
You can hire pushbikes from the old station if you fancy a longer trip along the Tarka Trail (I walked it many times when it was still a disused railway!)
Walk along Kipling Tors (cliff path) from Westward Ho! to Abbotsham, to work up a thirst for a visit to the Thatched House Inn.

Visit Heddon's Mouth - great woodland and coastal walks - and lunch at the Hunters Inn.

Westleigh Inn - decent food and ale, and a brief opportunity to negotiate some real Devon lanes through the village!

Drive from Bideford to Barnstaple via the old road - a little byroad running just to the south of the A39. Look behind some of the hedges, and you'll find an even older cart-track! Visit Brannam's pottery, and see if there's anything decent on at the Queen's Hall Theatre. Unfortunately, the nearby pub where you could join local seafarers drinking very roughand powerful home-made cider was closed by Environmental Health some years ago!

Go the opposite way (walk or drive depending on how energetic you feel) to Torrington - great views on the way - and visit Dartington Glass factory.

I'll think a bit more, and hopefully come back with further suggestions

demag · Post by **demag** » 22 Aug 2006, 13:19

Just as an aside I was in Minehead years ago touring on my old Aerial Leader (those were the days

)

The split link had snapped on my chain and it was a Sunday evening so nowhere open.

I bumped into a couple of local lads with a bike and they dug out a split link the same as mine.

We went to the local pub and I bought them a pint as they wouldn't take any payment.

I fancied a pint of cider to refresh myself but they stopped serving it at 8pm! Must have been good stuff.

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 23 Aug 2006, 14:00

Thanks a lot for all the good ideas.

i have printed them off so I can take them and show them to the others members of my hol party, i.e. my Bro, my sister, her friend, and my dog..

I have some nice photos of the lyme Regis, Charmouth, areas if anyone would like one or two..

On the subject of west country home made cider, last time I had some, we were only allowed by the landlord to buy it in half pints, I only had one, but my Bro had 3 of those and passed out in the car park 20 mins later.. This was early evening! 7 pm ish, he didn't wake up till the following morning.. lmho..

The pub was Called "The Vine" and is just outside Wimborne nr Badbury Rings, in Dorset..

In those days I was driving a pre war Daimler DB18 with a pre selector gearbox.. 0 to 30 in 5 mins and stopping took twice that long!! lmho :-d
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