Local Information
How to Get Here Trains, Planes & Automobiles.
BY AIR.
There are regional airports at Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Newquay Flights from: Regional Airport, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Flights into Newquay and Plymouth interlink with flights into London Heathrow as well as Bristol airport. Isles of Scilly, you can fly to the Isles of Scilly by helicopter from Penzance and a skybusService from Land' End, Newquay, Plymouth and Exeter.
BY SEA.
Ferries from Ireland bring visitors to Britain and there are fast links via the M4 and M5 Motorways into Devon and Cornwall. Dublin-Holyhead, Rosslare-Fishguard (Stena Sealink) Rosslare-Pembroke (Irish Ferries) Cork-Swansea (Swansea Cork Ferries) The Scillonian 111 offers a regular passenger service between Penzance in Cornwall to The Isles of Scilly. The passage takes approximately 2 and half-hours according to weather And tides. Reservations may be necessary between May and September.
BY ROAD.
Access to Devon and Cornwall is quick and easy via the Motorways or along the south coast Of England. Speedy motorways- the M4 from London through Wiltshire, the M6 from the North West and The M1/ M42 from the North East-all link with the M5 to take you into Devon, where the Motorway ends just south of Exeter. From the M5 you can join the A30 dual carriageway north of Dartmoor into Cornwall, and the A38 Expressway to Plymouth and Cornwall. The A361 link road to North Devon joins the A39 Into North Cornwall. The English Riviera is accessible via the A380 to South Devon. The M27 and the A35 provide a quick route through Dorset along the South Coast. The A303 / A30 leaves the M3 south of London and continues to Exeter through Wiltshire and Somerset.
BY RAIL.
Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel provide quick and easy access from many European cities to London Waterloo. 'Le Shuttle' offers travel with your car through the Channel Tunnel from Calais to Folkstone. Onward fast and frequent high speed trains run from London PaddingtonTo Taunton, Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and on to Penzance in Cornwall. The fastest service From London to Exeter takes just two hours. There is also a service from London Waterloo To Exeter. The sleeper service to and from Penzance- the "Night Riviera"- calls at key stations in Cornwall As well as Plymouth and Exeter en route to and from Waterloo in London. At Waterloo, Passengers can connect with EuroStar trains. If you intend visiting Britain by train, buy a 'Britrail' pass from your Travel Agent before you Depart. (It is not possible to buy this pass in Britain). The pass enables you to unlimited rail Travel in Britain for a specified number of days.
BY COACH.
Direct long distance coach services operate from most parts of England, Wales and Scotland To towns throughout the region. Coach travel can cost you far less than rail travel, and again You can buy a Britexpress Travelcard or Tourist Trailpass before you depart or on arrival in the UK. There are coach companies in your country, which operate tours to Britain, taking in Devon And Cornwall. Your local British Tourist Authority office will give you details. Alternatively, You can book with a British coach company when you arrive in Britain.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
The region is criss-crossed by a network of bus services making it easy to get out and about to Visit famous beauty spots and tourist attractions. Low cost daily and weekly travel-anywhere Tickets are available. There is also a number of local coach operators who organise tours to many of the attractions In the region. When on holiday make use of the local regional railways services for trips in the area there are Many scenic lines ideal for a day out by train; The Tarka Line from Exeter to Barnstable in Devon and the Looe Valley Line in Cornwall are just two examples.
DEVON & CORNWALL
Further south and west than anywhere else in Britain, the two counties of Devon and Cornwall point like a giant finger into the Atlantic, their shores washed by the Gulf Stream. It is an area with an atmosphere all of its own. The north coast with dramatic, jagged cliffscapes carved by Atlantic rollers, interspersed by safe golden beaches up to 5km long, tiny cliff hung harbours and great surfing resorts. To the south lies a lash ''subtropical'' riviera of time- warped fishing villages and sheltered coves, of sophisticated resorts on wide mouthed bays and historic ports in great natural harbours. Inland, there's a rich green landscape of field, forest and sleepy villages, a land of milk and honey, cosy pubs and lanes zigzagging to market towns and cities, and stark, wide open spaces of moorland, a prehistoric moonscape populated more by wild pony, deer and buzzard than by man. It is an area, which is rich in history, culture, flora and fauna and the arts. It is also one of the greatest ''subtropical" playgrounds for families.
EXETER
Capital of Devon, occupied 200 years or so before the arrival of the Romans, Exeter is full of History and heritage. There's the Norman Cathedral, completed in 1394, the Guildhall, one of England's oldest municipal buildings, a pub where Drake and Raleigh once drank their ale, Britain's only Underground Passages, the Historic Quayside with craft and antique shops and A rich variety of museums and more. Shopping in modern Precincts and cobbled streets, Theatres and entertainment unlimited. Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Free Guided Tours Booking Service Tele 01392 265260
PLACES TO STAY
Montgomery House 144 Fore Street Exeter EX4 3AN 01392 424086
St Olaves Court Hotel Mary Arches St. EX4 3A 01392 217736
Gypsy Hill Hotel Pinhoe Exeter 01392 465252
Ebford House Hotel Ebford Nr. Exeter 01392 877658
Royal Clarence Hotel Cathedral Yard Exeter 01392 319955PLACES TO EAT
The Papermakers 14 Exe Street Exeter 01392 278980
Ramada 13 Blackboy Road Exeter 01392 437172
The Cowick Barton Cowick Lane Exeter 01392 270411
St Olaves Court Hotel Mary arches St Exeter 01392 217736HONITON
Honiton stands in the South - East of the county, on the south side of the river Otter, and on Main road and rail routes from London to Exeter. One of the medieval West Country clothe Trade, later became famous for its lace, the excellence of which became known the world over. The town has a fascinating museum containing the World's Principal collection of Honiton Lace. Honiton is renowned as the main centre for antiques in the South West. Disastrous fires in the 18th century destroyed many of the older buildings. Fortunately the Rebuilding has created a town centre of distinction that is still largely 18th century. It is a clean, Attractively - built and prosperous town, and an admirable centre for tourists and businessmen A like.
PLACES TO STAY
Combe House Hotel Gittisham Honiton 01404 42756
White lion Hotel 194 High St Honiton 01404 42066
Honiton Motel Turks Head Lane Exeter Lane Honiton 01404 43440
The Heathfield Walnut Rd Honiton 01404 45321
Fenny bridges Hotel Fenny Bridges Honiton 01404 850218PLACES TO EAT
Dominoes 178 High St Honiton 01404 47707
Ganges Restaurant 168 High St Honiton 01404 43541
Galgani's 102 High St Honiton 01404 46294
Hatchards 9 Black Lion Court Honiton 01404 43777
Vanessa's 137 High St Honiton 01404 41534BARNSTAPLE
A guided walk around the town reveals some of Barnstaple's rich heritage, the Norman Castle Mound, 14th century St Anne's Chapel Museum, the twisted spire of St Peter's Church, Queen Anne's Walk and the Old Quay and the medieval Long Bridge. Once an ancient port and Trading Centre, it is now North Devon's thriving shopping and commercial centre. It has a good Mix of Modern shopping centres and traditional shops, leisure facilities, theatres and Entertainment and many visitor attractions nearby. Barnstaple is also the centre of the 180-mile 'Tarka Trail', which winds its way across the open moor and from the station you, can take a trip By rail on the Tarka Line or hire a bicycle and take off on the cycle way.
BIDEFORD
In the 16th Century Bideford was Britain's third largest port. Today, the narrow town centre Streets lead down to the tree lined quay, which bustles with fishing vessels, cargo and pleasure Boats. Take a boat to Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel or try your hand at fishing. The Impressive 24 arch stone bridge built in 1535 leads to the coastal path cycleway and to the Disused railway line which is part of the Tarka Trail.
PLACES TO STAY
The Orchard Hill Hotel Orchard Hill Bideford 01237 472872
The Mount Hotel Northdown Rd Bideford 01237 473748
Beaconside Country House Hotel Landcross Monkleigh 01237 477205
Culloden House Hotel Fosketh Hill Westward Ho 01237 479421
Yeoldon Country House Hotel Durrant Lane Northam 01237 474400
PLACES TO EAT
Merchant House Restaurant 8 Fore St Northam 01237 473419
Paramount Chinese Restaurant 22 Bridgeland St Bideford 01237 472862
The Vagabond Cavalier Cooper St Bideford 01237 476447LUNDY ISLAND
Lundy Island, three miles long and half a mile wide, lies 11 miles off the North coast a place of outstanding natural beauty; skies full of birds, pirate haunts and air like wine! Lundy has a tempestuous history and only became respectable in the last century, even gaining a church. Visit Lundy for the day or stay on the island in a dramatic old lighthouse, 13th Century castle and other fascinating buildings.
ILFRACOMBE
This is North Devon's leading resort and gateway to the Heritage Coast. There is family fun for all, visit the unique Tunnels Beaches with bathing areas and boating pool. The historic natural harbour, set amidst spectacular cliffs and caves, has pleasure craft and fishing boats for visitors to enjoy.
EXMOUTH
Is celebrated for its long two-mile stretch of golden sands, a rare phenomena on this shingle coast, which may explain its popularity as the longest established holiday resort in the area. A resort for all the ''family'' is an over-used term that often fails to meet its claim, but this isn't the case with Exmouth, for this town of many facets has something to interest or entertain three, even four, generations.
PLACES TO STAY
The Devoncourt Hotel Douglas Ave Exmouth 01395 272277
The Royal Beacon Hotel The Beacon Exmouth 01395 264886
Aliston House 58 Salterton Rd Exmouth 01395 274119
Cavendish Hotel 11 Morton Crescent Exmouth 01395 272528
The Dolphin Hotel 4 Morton Rd Exmouth 01395 263832PLACES TO EAT
The Nutwell Lodge Exmouth Rd Lympstone 01395 875180
Strand Restaurant & Tea Room 49 The Strand Exmouth 01395 273439
Saddlers Arms Exmouth Rd Lympstone 01395 272798
China Garden 23 Imperial Rd Exmouth 01395 274747
Carlton Lodge hotel 15 Carlton Hill Exmouth 01395 263314EXMOOR
Is better known for its heather moorland, Red deer, deep combes and swift flowing streams, yet On the northern edge of the National Park, the coast stretches for 34 miles (54km) from Combe Martin, through Lynton, Lynmouth and Porlock to Minehead. This is England's highest coastline with hills rising to 1420 ft (433 m) creating a dramatic landscape where the woodland and moorland seems to plunge into the sea. Along the coast there are towns and villages each With their own special character, some of which was once busy trading ports for a variety of goods, legal and otherwise.
DARTMOOR
Is famous for its wide open moors, its dramatic tors, wooded valleys, rushing rivers and wildlife. It also represents an important cultural heritage. The history of people on Dartmoor goes back more then 10,000 years, although the visible remains date from about 4,000 BC to the present day. Cultivated fields, grazed moorland, quarried, roads, farms, hamlets, villages and towns are constant reminders that Dartmoor remains a place where people live and work, in fact about 33,000 people live in the National Park.
Places to visit
Powderham Castle
NATIONAL TRUST
A LA RONDE Summer Lane Exmouth EX8 5BD Tele 01392 265514
Arlington Court Arlington Barnstaple EX31 4LP Tele 01271 850296
Bradley Newton Abbot TQ12 6BN Tele 01626 54513
Buckland Abbey Yelverton PL20 6EY Tele 01822 853607
Castle Drogo Drewsteignton EX6 6PB Tele 01647 433306
Coleton Fishacre Coleton Kingswear Dartmouth TQ6 0EQ Tele 01803 752466
Compton Castle Marldon Paignton TQ3 1TA Tele 01803 872112
Elizabethan House The Barbican Plymouth PL1 2NA Tele 01752 253871
Finch Foundry Sticklepath Okehampton EX20 2NW Tele 01837 840046
Heddon Valley Heddon Valley Barnstaple EX30 4PX Tele 01598 763402
Killerton Broadclyst Exeter EX5 3LE Tele 01392 881345
Knightshayes court Bolham Tiverton EX16 7RQ Tele 01884 254665
Lundy Bristol Channel EX39 2LY Tele 01237 470422
Lydford Gorge Lydford Okehampton EX20 4BH Tele 01822 820320
Markers Cottage Broadclyst Exeter EX5 3HR Tele 01392 461546
Overbecks Museum Sharpitor Salcombe TQ8 8LW Tele 01548 842893
Saltram Plympton Plymouth PL7 3UH Tele 01752 336546
Shute Shute Axminster EX13 7PT Tele 01297 34692
Watersmeet House Watersmeet Rd Lynton EX35 6NT Tele 01598 753348CASTLES OF DEVON.
Totnes Castle Totnes on the hill overlooking the town Tele 01803 864406
Berry Pomeroy Castle Off A385 east of Totnes Tele 01803 866618
Okehampton Castle South west of Okehampton Tele 01837 52844
Dartmouth Castle south east of Dartmouth Tele 01803 833588DEVONS ATTRACTIONS.
Watermouth Castle Between Ilfracombe & Combe Martin Tele 01271 867474
Once Upon a Time The Old Railway Station on the B3343 Tele 01271 867474
Arlington Court N.E Of Barnstaple on the A39 Tele 01271 850296
Quince Honey Farm North Rd South Molton Tele 01769 572401
The Big Sheep West of Bideford on the A39 Tele 01237 477916
Clovelly Off the A39 west Of Bideford Tele 01237 431781
The Milky Way
Adventure Park Off the A39 west of Bideford Tele 01237 431255
Dartington Crystal Great Torrington North Devon Tele 01805 624233
Morwellham Quay Off the A390 near Tavistock Tele 01822 833808
The River Dart
Country Park Ashburton Tele 01364 652511
Woodlands Leisure Park West of Dartmouth on the A3122 Tele 01803 712598
Crealy Crealy Park Clyst St Mary Exeter Tele 01392 233200