North Devon's Scenic Sights & Harbour Town Delight

Day 1

We travel to our hotel in Barnstaple making suitable comfort stops along the way. Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee on arrival at the hotel.

Day 2

Travel via Fairy Cross to Hartland Abbey & Gardens, used as a filming location for many films and TV series such as Sense & Sensibility and BBC Top Gear. Hartland Abbey remains in the family and is not merely ‘a museum’ as so many ancestral homes are today. It exudes the warmth and friendliness only found in a lived-in house. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the house and gardens. Afterwards to charming Barnstaple, the largest town in North Devon, located on the River Taw. The ancient town preserves a mediaeval character, points of interest, include the historic Pannier Market, a wide range of stalls offer everything from local produce, flowers and crafts, to fashion, prints and pictures.

Day 3

This morning, to the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, the unique Victorian water powered funicular cliff lift railway operates between the villages transporting us 500ft up and down! (disabled access is limited) Explore the little independent shops selling local produce, gifts, arts and crafts. Back to Ilfracombe this afternoon, to relax on the seafront and explore the attractions and picturesque natural harbour.

Day 4

This morning, to enchanting RHS Garden Rosemoor. Nestled in the Torridge Valley, the gardens are eye catching at any time of year with several gardens, including the fragrant rose gardens, brightly coloured Hot Garden, Foliage Garden, Stone Garden and Exotic Garden to name but a few. We have a 1 hour general garden tour. We spend the afternoon, in the traffic-free, historic harbour town of Bideford. Explore the quirky little shops, the riverside quay and the historic indoor Pannier market (involves an uphill walk).

Day 5

After breakfast, we make our way home, stopping for lunch to be obtained.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included