Local Guide
Taw Valley, North Devon

The local area

The local village, High Bickington, is just over a mile from the Bluebird. It’s about a half hour walk to the village where you can find a couple of pubs, a lovely community shop with lots of nice treats, and a small café. Otherwise, jump in a car and get out and about into Devon and you’ll stumble upon some very memorable places.

Please check websites for up-to-date times and days of opening.

Things To Do

Fly a plane at Eaglescott Airfield

​​Burrington, EX37 9LH • Eaglescott Airfield EGHU • 10 min drive

Fly a light aircraft over North Devon countryside and sea. A typical 30 to 60-minute flight (ideal for a first flight) will take you along the north coast and around Instow, Appledore, and Bideford returning via Torrington. Have a look at their Gift Vouchers on their website for other options.

[email protected] • eaglescott-airfield.com

Play sports at High Bickington Community Centre

Little Bickington Lane, High Bickington, EX37 9PN • High Bickington Community Centre • 6 min drive

If you fancy a game indoors, you can hire the sports hall and the relevant equipment for badminton, table tennis, netball, short tennis, and football.

01769 561387 • [email protected] • highbickingtoncommunitycentre.co.uk

Play a round of golf at Libbaton Golf Club

High Bickington, Umberleigh EX37 9BS • Libbaton Golf Club • 8 min drive

The Golf Club is a couple of miles away. There you will find a restaurant (The 19th Hole), a bar, and 18 holes of golf. They welcome all ages and abilities. The nearest train station is Umberleigh (10 minutes in the car) where you can catch trains to Barnstaple and Exeter.

01769 560269 • libbatongolfclub.co.uk

See historic tanks and more at Cobbaton Combat Collection

Cobbaton Combat Collection • 15 min drive

Military museum with many tanks from World War Two.

01769 540740 • cobbatoncombat.co.uk

Smell the roses at RHS Garden Rosemoor

Torrington, EX38 8PH • RHS Garden Rosemoor • 22 min drive

Gorgeous and extensive 65-acre gardens near Torrington. A lovely spot to visit if you love gardens or nature. It's got everything from formal rose gardens to a Mediterranean garden and even walks through lush woodlands. It’s a very tranquil space.

01805 624067 • rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

Grab brunch and see the trains at The Puffing Billy Cafe

Station Rd, Torrington, EX38 8JD • Puffing Billy Cafe and Tarka Valley Railway • 23 min drive

Get a delicious brunch at this charming cafe at the old Victorian railway station in the Tarka Valley. Great place for a pit stop and refuel before hiring bikes to cycle to Instow Beach along the Tarka Trail.

01805 623050 • puffingbilly.co.uk • tarkavalleyrailway.org

Check out the buzz at Quince Honey Farm

Aller Cross, South Molton, EX36 3RD • Quince Honey Farm • 23 min drive

See how bees make honey and have a sweet time! Explore the interactive Beekeeping Museum, stroll through the Nectar Gardens, and even try your hand at rolling your own beeswax candle. Offers tours, a honey shop, and has a restaurant.

01769 572401 • quincehoneyfarm.co.uk

Take a spa day at Northcote Manor

Burrington, EX37 9LZ • Northcote Manor Hotel & Spa (Devon) • 8 min drive

Pamper yourself at the nearby spa. They have treatment rooms for massages, facials, and beauty treatments, an indoor pool, hot tubs, as well as sauna and steam rooms.

01769 560501 • northcotemanor.co.uk

Go canoeing or kayaking or cycling at Tidal & Trail

Bideford EX39 4DR • Tidal & Trail (Bideford Bike Hire) • 30 min drive

Book ahead of time. Bike hire is all year round but the watersports are seasonal. You can hire a bike for the scenic 34-mile Tarka Trail cycle route. The trail follows old railway lines through stunning countryside and along the North Devon coast.

For more about the trail see: tarkatrail.org.uk/the-tarka-trail

01237 425437 • skernlodge.com/tidal-trail

Head to the beach

The local beaches are:

• Instow Beach • 32 min drive
• Westward Ho! Beach • 36 min drive
• Saunton Sands • 38 min drive
• Croyde Beach • 44 min drive
• Putsborough Beach • 47 min drive
• Woolacombe Beach • 49 min drive

Superb fish and chips can be had from Squires in Braunton.

Local Wining & Dining

Smoke On The Waters

EX37 9HZ • Smoke on the Waters - Pit Barbecue & Smokehouse • 6 min drive

Weekends only! A smokehouse just outside High Bickington with delicious smoked food and alcoholic drinks. It’s in a rustic barn that has no heating — wrap up warm in the winter! Take away or eat in.

class="guidebook-links"[email protected] • smokeonthewaters.uk

The Old George Inn, High Bickington

EX37 9AZ • The old george inn High bickington • 6 min drive or a beautiful 30 min walk

Please support our local and have a drink there if you can! It’s not far, but it’s an uphill climb on the walk up to the village, so wear sensible shoes. You can find some of their food offerings on Facebook if you're planning to eat.

01769 560186 • facebook.com/OldGeorgeInnHighBick

The Golden Lion Inn, High Bickington

EX37 9BB • The Golden Lion Inn • 6 min drive

Alternatively, The Golden Lion is also in High Bickington and serves food. See their Facebook Page for menus.

01769 407332 • Facebook Page

The Rising Sun Inn, Umberleigh

EX37 9DU • The Rising Sun Inn • 7 min drive

Good pub food and ales.

www.theriser.online

The Exeter Inn, Chittlehamholt

EX37 9NS • The Exeter Inn • 12 min drive

Friendly, relaxed village pub in a traditional 16th-century coaching inn. Come here for tasty home-cooked food and a great selection of wines and ales.

01769 540281 • exeterinn.co.uk

Other great options that are slightly further out:

The Tarka Line Grill, Eggesford

EX18 7JZ • The Tarka Line Grill • 17 min drive

Sit and eat whilst watching the trains come and go. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee and alcoholic beverages at Eggesford Railway Station.

Facebook Page • Instagram

The Chichester Arms, Bishop's Tawton

EX32 0DQ • Chichester Arms • 17 min drive

Traditional 15th century thatched inn serving pub food and ales.

01271 624015 • thechichesterarms.co.uk

Globe Inn, Beaford

EX19 8LR • Globe Inn • 20 min drive

A fantastic selection of beers and delicious locally sourced food. We love this pub with its great atmosphere and cosy log fire.

01805 603920 • globeinnpub.co.uk

The Grove Inn, Kings Nympton

EX37 9ST • The Grove Inn • 20 min drive

A great selection of local cider, lagers and wines along with a wide variety of whiskeys from further afield and scrummy food. Popular, so do book ahead. Serving ice cream made less than 20 minutes away!

01769 580 406 • [email protected] • thegroveinn.co.uk

The Bell, Chittlehampton

EX37 9QL • The Bell • 20 min drive

A popular local pub, always busy. Serves a large selection of pub grub and homemade puddings!

01769 540368 • thebellatchittlehampton.co.uk

Tours & Tastings

Sam's Cider

Western Barn, Hatherleigh Rd, Winkleigh, EX19 8AP • Sam's Cider Produced By Winkleigh Cider • 20 min drive

Get a tour of the cider-making process from the traditional ways to modern methods. Thursdays at 11am.

01837 83560 • [email protected] • winkleighcider.co.uk

Taw Valley Brewery

Westacott Farm, North Tawton, EX20 2BS • Taw Valley Brewery • 30 min drive

The “UK's only fully thatched brewery” offering small-batch cask ales. Taproom only open Saturday afternoons in the summertime. The bottleshop can open by appointment most days.

07900 002299 • [email protected] • tawvalleybrewery.com

Torview Wines

Beara Farm, Sheepwash, EX21 5PB • Torview Wines • 34 min drive

Small family-run vineyard producing English Red Wines. Tours and tastings are available to book through their website.

07977 408829 • torview.co.uk

Local Shops

High Bickington Community Shop

North Rd, High Bickington, EX37 9BB • High Bickington Community Shop

A lovely volunteer-run village shop with lots of yummy cakes, local produce, crafts, as well as all the essentials and more. It is located up the hill, in the middle of the village and has a small marquee and outdoor seating area, with one table inside, where you can enjoy a cream tea or hot drink. You can even order luxurious breakfast and cream tea hampers to go as well. See their website for what’s on offer and send them an email to organise a hamper.

[email protected] ​• https://highbickhampers.wixsite.com/hbcs

Fishleigh Rock Services

Exeter Road, Umberleigh EX37 9DX • Fishleigh Rock Services

The nearest fuel station! A small local garage with a Londis shop to purchase basic supplies and local pasties.

Catkin Blooms Cafe, Florist and Shop

Bissetts Garage, Exeter Road, Winkleigh, EX19 8HW • Catkin Blooms

A quirky old garage that’s been turned into a fabulous cafe, award-winning florist and small shop selling locally produced gifts, cards, and plants.

01837 748039 • [email protected] • catkinblooms.co.uk • Instagram

Other Market Towns

The nearest towns are Torrington (about 25 mins by car), South Molton (20 mins), and Barnstaple (30 mins).

Torrington market town

25 min drive • 10.5 miles away

Some beautiful walks here - Torrington Common (with the renowned local Hockings ice cream van often parked up!) and another walk behind the pannier market car park overlooking the valley. It has all the basic amenities — cafes, bakeries, a pharmacy, greengrocers, a small Co-op and Lidl, M&S/BP garage and a few basic pubs. The Plough Arts Centre hosts some more alternative bands, theatre and film productions. Worth checking out.

Barnstaple river-port town

30 min drive • 11.4 miles away

The main town of North Devon. This mediaeval town is a former river-port and still holds a Victorian market several times a week. It hosts a wide variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs and is situated on the river Taw.

South Molton market town

20 min drive • 10.4 miles away

A small market town trading in sheep and cattle. Situated on the river Mole just south of Exmoor. It hosts a small number of cafes, restaurants, shops and pubs.

Walks

The surrounding area offers a range of different walks for all abilities. There are plenty of local bridleways to navigate your way across the fields. Please stick to the path, close gates, and be aware of livestock.

Walking to the village

To walk on the roads simply follow the farm track out to the road and turn left to head up the hill. It’s about a half-hour walk to the village community shop and pub. Ensure your phone is charged for a light or you have a torch if walking at night, as it’s a dark, narrow lane.

Walking to the village

If you want a slightly longer (30-40 mins dependent on ability) but more scenic walk:

• Take a left close to the end of Snape Farm track, following Taylors Lane bridleway (green sign).
• Walk up, keeping to the right of the two fields until you reach Taylors Cottage (our home… say ‘hi’ if passing!) and take a right up the steps in between the barn and the house and up the field to the stile.
• Follow the path in the woodland at the top, then head diagonally across the field, then diagonally across to the metal gate.
• Follow the track to the road, then turn left and you will head into the village.

Exmoor

If you prefer something more challenging, Exmoor is not far away and hosts a number of cute little villages and fantastic pubs, including The Black Venus Inn (directions). If you stand on the Bluebird decking and look to the left, you will see Exmoor — if it’s not raining!

Dartmoor

Is also definitely worth a visit, with more dramatic scenery and a variety of walks and cycling for all abilities including Okehampton Viaduct with the fabulous pedal pump cafe en route. We love the Tor Inn at Belstone for a good walk followed by great local ales and delicious food. In Spring, the glory of bluebells can be enjoyed at their best in Meldon Woods.

Coastal walks in North Devon

North Devon is famous for its stunning moorland and coastal walks which are well worth pursuing if you have the time. See the South West Coast Path for more information.

southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Tarka Trail

A 180 mile figure-of-eight walking and cycling route across North Devon, named after Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamson’s 1927 novel.

tarkatrail.org.uk/the-tarka-trail/

Eggesford Forest

Eggesford Forest • 19 min drive

Free parking, picnic tables, toilets, and lots of paths to choose.

forestryengland.uk/eggesford-forest/walking-eggesford-forest

Halsdon Nature Reserve

Halsdon Nature Reserve • 19 min drive

Several trails and paths with steep slopes that traverse the riverside meadows and woodlands. Free parking. Look out for local otters!

devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/halsdon

Umberleigh riverside walk

Umberleigh Station • 8 min drive

Opposite the train station, walk out of the (free) car park towards Murchs Antique Emporium and you will see a public footpath sign. Follow this for a short but beautiful river-side walk along the Taw.

Wildlife

Keep an eye out on the fields on the opposite side of the valley — you can often see a herd of deer on a sunny day. They often travel up to the farm and can be seen in the woodland.

Keep your ear out for the skylark’s song and other small visiting birds. Buzzards will often circle on the thermals calling with a high-pitch cry along with the occasional Red Kite and kestrel. Listen out at night for the Tawny and Barn owls from the woods and enjoy sighting bats and swallows in the summer months.

There are plenty of pheasants and rabbits around along with badgers and foxes. We are always excited to hear about any interesting wildlife encounters that you have.

Keep an eye out for wild orchids on woodland walks and enjoy the prolific high-hedgerow wildflowers that the Devon countryside has to offer.