About Tarka Country

As is the way throughout Britain, holiday regions are often rebranded under a name linked to a famous person, a long-running television series, a dramatic film or, as in this case, a popular book. For Tarka the Otter is the case here. The fictional story of the adventures of a otter roving the rivers and estuaries of North Devon was written by local author, Henry Williamson. A book popular with all ages, it was made into a film in the 1960's, I recall.

Nowadays, Tarka Country generally refers to that rural area of lush pastures, lazy rivers, fat cattle and fly fishermen, to the south and south-east of Barnstaple. Narrow country lanes meander amongst the rolling hills flushing out a hilltop hamlet with its welcoming tavern or an open garden.

South Molton awakens from its slumbers every Thursday morning to welcome what seems to be the entire farming community from miles around. A livestock market held in the heart of the town starts its sales at eleven in the forenoon, often not finishing 'til after two. The pannier market close by has more genuine country traders than those in the larger towns.