About the Hartland Heritage Coast and Ruby Country
This is a coast less visited by mass tourism, but special in the hearts of many locals. A coast of rugged beauty, of gale lashed rocks and boulder beaches, where thrift and sea campion bloom on the rabbit-grazed sward, of sea caves and waterfalls, where the ocean's erosion has cut away the lower river bed. Fronding lichens grow in unpolluted air. Oakwood combes aflush with wildflowers in greater abundance here than anywhere else in North Devon.
Visit Hartland Abbey and walk to Blackpool Cove; savour the extraordinary geological formations (and the beer) at Hartland Quay; walk the Clovelly coast past Angels' Wings to discover "The Cave" and return to a crab salad by the harbour at Clovelly - and keep your eyes peeled all the while for dolphins or seals or sun fish.
Cheristow Lavender
Higher Cheristow, Hartland, Bideford, EX39 6DA. Tel: 01237 440101.
Website: www.cheristow.co.uk
Visitors are welcome to wander around the lavender garden and rose garden. The gardens are high up - you can see for miles around. Cheristow (award-winning) Tea Room, tables inside and outside, overlooking the lavender, for morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas.
Opening Times: 1Apr-31Oct, 1100-18.00; please telephone if you wish to visit the shop before April.
Admission Charges: Free
Dogs admitted: Yes (outside only) - on a lead.
Clovelly Village
Clovelly, Bideford, EX39 5TA. Tel: 01237 431781.
Website: www.clovelly.co.uk
Unspoilt fishing village on north Devon coast with steep cobbled street and no vehicular access. Donkeys and sledges only means of transport. Visitor centre, cafe and two pubs.
Opening Times: Apr-Jun, Oct, 0930-1730; Jul-Sep, 0900-1800; Nov-Feb, 1000-1600.
Admission Charges: Adult: £5.95 Child (7-16inc.): £3.75 Under 7s: free Family (2+2): £15.90
Groups of 20+: Adult: £4.70+? Child: £3.40+?
Dogs admitted: Yes.
Docton Mill Gardens
Spekes Valley, Hartland, Bideford, EX39 6EA. Tel: 01237 441369.
Website: www.doctonmill.co.uk
Working watermill of Saxon origin, 8 acres of woodland, lawns and streams. Coastal waterfalls and beach within 1400 yds of gardens.
Opening Times: 1 Mar-31 Oct, daily, 1000-1800.
Admission Charges: Adult: £3.25 Child: £1.00 Concession: £3.00
Dogs admitted: Yes - on a short lead.
The Gnome Reserve
West Putford, Holsworthy, EX22 7XE. Tel: 01409 241435.
Website: www.gnomereserve.co.uk
Over 1,000 gnomes and pixies in woodland garden with stream. Wild flower garden with 250 species of wild flowers. Studio making pottery pixies, hand-painted garden gnomes.
Opening Times: 21 Mar-31 Oct, daily, 1000-1800. Gift shop also open 1 Nov-20 Mar, daily, 1000-1600.
Admission Charges: Adult: £2.95 Child 3-16yrs: £2.50 Child under 3yrs: Free Concession: £2.75
Dogs admitted: Yes - on lead with 'pooper-scooper'.
Hartland Abbey
Hartland, Bideford, EX39 6DT. Tel: 01237 441264.
Website: www.hartlandabbey.com
Monastery founded in AD1160. Survived the Dissolution of Henry VIII longer than any other monastery. Major rebuilding in Queen Anne and Georgian periods.
Opening Times: 1 Apr-30 Sep, Wed, Thu, Sun, Bank Hol Mon, 1400-1730; Tue, Jul-Aug. Garden: 1 Apr-31 Oct, Sun-Fri, 1400-1730.
Admission Charges: House, gardens and grounds Adult: £4.50 Child: £1.50; Gardens and grounds Adult: £3.00 Child: £0.50
Dogs admitted: Yes - only in the grounds.
Hartland Quay Shipwreck Museum
Hartland, Bideford, EX39 6DU. Tel: 01288 331353.
Website: www.hartlandquayhotel.com/Shipwreck-Museum.htm
Coastal museum with exhibitions on shipwrecks, natural history, coastal trades, geology and history of Hartland Quay. Superb coastal views and cliff walks from the museum. Picture is an aerial photo of Hartland Quay area (the rocky Atlantic shore, cliffs, carpark and tavern)
Opening Times: 12 Apr-22, daily, 1100-1700; 27 May-30 Sep, 1100-1700.
Admission Charges: Adult: £1.00 Child: £0.50 Concession: £0.50
Dogs admitted: No.
Holsworthy Museum
Manor Offices, Holsworthy, EX22 6DJ. Tel: 01409 254397.
Website: Holsworthy
Museum
The Museum of Rural Life is housed in part of a building which is in itself a museum piece; a small manor house dating from the 17th century. In 1724 it was used as a Parsonage. There are five separate rooms, individually themed, which cover the history of Holsworthy, local trademen's tools, medical and apothecary items, World War II and a kitchen with its original cobbled floor, copper and fireplace.
Opening Times: A.
Admission Charges: Adult: £1.00 Child: £ Concession: £
Dogs admitted: No.
Milky Way
Downland Farm, Clovelly, Bideford, EX39 5RY. Tel: 01237 431255.
Website: www.themilkyway.co.uk
All weather family attraction featuring Clone Zone - Europe's first interactive adventure ride, Time Warp indoor adventure play area, pets' corner, toddlers' area.
Opening Times: Apr-Oct, daily, 10.30-18.00; Nov-Mar, Sat-Sun, 11.00-17.00
Admission Charges: Adult: £10/£11/£12. Child over 3yrs: £10/£11/£12. Child under 3yrs: Free. Senior: £7.50/£8.50/£9.50. Reduced charges in winter months.
Dogs admitted: Yes - not at live shows.
