AROUND THE BARN
We are located in Northcott, a small hamlet of just five cottages on a no-through lane down to Lower Northcott Farm. Walks can be enjoyed across the bridleways at the bottom of our lane. There is a river and woods to explore, and lots of wildlife to see. Lower Northcott Farm, is an award winning organic beef farm. They are very welcoming and are happy to sell meat at the door and can provide meat packs to enjoy during your stay or to take home with you. They sell individual burgers too that are great for a BBQ, as well as packs of organic steak and mince. Details are in the welcome folder. That really is zero food miles!
The nearest grocery store/Post Office/ATM is located in St. Giles on the Heath, approximately four miles away. The campsite at the end of the lane also has a grocery store, bar/food/entertainment, and play area and is a pleasant walk/cycle ride.
You are located between two towns - Holsworthy and Launceston, both under a fifteen minute drive away. There is a Waitrose and Co-op in Holsworthy, along with local butchers/bakers and coffee shops. A market is held every Wednesday. Launceston is a much larger town with Tesco, Lidl, M&S food and Co-op stores, as well as a good variety of local shops set off of a central square.
Bude and Widemouth Bay are our nearest beaches, 20-30 minutes away.
BEACHES AT BUDE (under 30 minutes drive)
Summerleaze Beach is less than five minutes’ walk from the centre of Bude with easy level access to the beach. Great for watersports, surfing, rock pooling, and features a sheltered sea pool for safe saltwater swimming for all ages.
Beach Huts are bookable daily or weekly. Contact the Bude Tourist Information Centre on 01288 354240
Widemouth Bay is a very long open bay popular with families and surfers and at low tide there are hundreds of rock pools to explore. It offers fantastic conditions to learn surfing or body-boarding, which is why many of the local surf schools are based there. Black Rock at the southern end is dog friendly all year.
Visit The Beach House - listed ‘top 20 beachside bars/restaurants in UK’ (The Times). Tel: 01288 361256 for reservations.
BUCKFASTLEIGH
Famous for the magnificent Benedictine abbey that dominates the town, and Buckfast Tonic Wine, the most famous export of Buckfastleigh. The abbey was established in 1018 and its magnificent abbey church and beautifully kept grounds are well worth a visit.
There’s lots more to the area too, with Pennywell Farm proving a very popular attraction that offers visitors the chance to get up close to adorable farm animals, as does the Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary. Enjoy some beautiful walks along the River Dart or make your way to Buckfastleigh Station to hop aboard a steam train run by the South Devon Railway.
THE EDEN PROJECT (about 50 minute drive)
ADRENALINE QUARRY, Liskeard (45 minute drive)
Jump off a cliff on a 490m long zip wire. Soar over the flooded quarry on twin cables. Try the karts, giant swing or aqua park.
MOORS
Explore Dartmoor, Bodmin or Exmoor, all within easy reach.
ROADFORD LAKES/Watersports and walks
Visit the largest area of freshwater in the southwest of England located at Broadwoodwiger, Near Lifton, Devon PL16 0R, about a 20 minute drive (9 miles).
There are water sports, including boating, kayaking and paddle boarding, pleasant walks, play areas and a cafe with stunning views.
SHOPPING
Affinity village at Bideford, 45 minute drive, has over 28 famous name stores with at least 50% off. We recommend the Nike store for bargain price trainers! Bideford has a picturesque harbour and makes a nice day out.
Plymouth has many shops and can be reached in under an hour.
Exeter is just over an hour away, or relax and take the train from Okehampton. There are many independent shops as well as big names and architectural interest. We recommend an afternoon tea at The Ivy. The experience is exquisite!
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY (SDR)
The SDR is a 7 mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. They run steam trains with heritage rolling stock and offer a wonderful all day, all weather attraction. Visit the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies. Just over an hour's drive off the A38 at Buckfastleigh.
Famous for its botanical gardens, biomes and the longest zip wire in England.
LAUNCESTON CASTLE
Explore the ancient castle at Launceston, with its breathtaking views of the historic town and countryside.
NORTH CORNWALL COASTLINE
Visit Boscastle with its quaint harbour and cottages. See the detailed accounts of the flooding that nearly destroyed the village.
Take a trip to the small fishing village of Port Isaac, made famous by the Doc Martin TV series. See the white washed cottages and squeezy belly alley, one of the narrowest streets in Britain.
Visit King Arthur’s castle at Tintagel, his birthplace, and see the many mediaeval buildings there. Walk across the historic new cantilevered footbridge if you dare!
TAMAR LAKES/fishing, walking, watersports
Surrounded by British countryside, Tamar Lakes are popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, families, sailors, bird watchers and anglers. Hire a kayak, canoe, paddleboard or sail boat or launch your own kit. Visit the cafe and play area. There is also a popular round lake walk and cycle trail, which is suitable for pushchairs, bikes and wheelchairs, and takes about an hour. The Bude Aqueduct Walk starts and finishes at Lower Tamar Lake.
Kilkhampton, Bude, Cornwall EX23 9SB, about a 30 minute drive.
TRETHORNE LEISURE FARM
All weather fun! Outdoor play areas, animals to meet, indoor play barns, bowling. Kennards House, Launceston PL15 8QE, 11 mile drive.
WOODLANDS FARM DOG FIELDS
Exclusive hire of 30 acres with fully enclosed woodland & fields or a 2 acre paddock for dog walkers. Only 10 minutes away from the Crooked Barn. Ideal for most dogs including those who may be reactive, nervous, rescues, young, old and those with limited recall or require further training. There's something for everyone. Come and let your dogs enjoy the freedom...