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 an otter roving the rivers and estuaries of North Devon was written by local author, Henry Williamson, in 1927. A book popular with all ages, it was made into a film in the 1979.
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. The pannier market close by has more genuine country traders than the markets in the larger towns.
FARMHOUSE
West Barton Farm
Alverdiscott, Barnstaple, EX31 3PT. Tel: 01271 858230.
A family-run working farm of 240 acres, with a pedigree herd of suckler cows and sheep, in a small village between Barnstaple and Torrington. Perfect for a family holiday on a working Devon farm. The family bedroom, which is en-suite, may be taken as a double or a twin. The other two bedrooms share their own bathroom. Approx 6 miles from Instow beach, Bideford Quay and RHS Rosemoor Gardens. 1¼ miles from Hunters' Inn (good food tavern) at Newton Tracey. 5¼ miles from the ancient Black Horse Inn at Great Torrington. 7 miles south-west of Barnstaple - beside the B3232.
Bed & Breakfast per night: double room £50.00-£56.00; twin and single
£22.50-£25.00 per person, reduced prices for children.
Bedrooms: 1 family(3), 1 twin, 1 single.
Bathrooms: 1 en-suite, 1 public.
Parking for 5. Open: March to November.
GUEST HOUSE
Gables Tea Rooms and B&B
On the Bridge, Umberleigh, EX37 9AB. Tel: 01769 560461.
Website: www.gablestearooms.co.uk
The Gables is beside Umberleigh's attractive bridge o'er the river Taw, famed
salmon and sea trout run, haunt of anglers and country-lovers. Riverside
walks. Award-winning good food tavern across the bridge, 80 yards away.
Country "request stop" railway station 200 yards away, on Exeter
to Barnstaple line. Although a much used postal address, Umberleigh itself
is a small hamlet beside a river bridge. 7 miles south-east of Barnstaple.
Bed
& Breakfast per night: single occupancy £35.00-£40.00;
double room £56.00-£70.00.
Bedrooms: 2 double. Bathrooms: 2 en-suite.
Parking for 6. Open: All year round.
ESCAPE, RELAX AND INDULGE BREAK... health and beauty treatment, champagne, dinner, bed and breakfast, 2/3/4 nights click here.
HOTEL
Highbullen Country House Hotel
Chittlehamholt, Umberleigh, EX37 9HD. Tel: 01769 540561.
Website: www.highbullen.co.uk
Highbullen
Hotel Golf and Country Club, boasts a unique combination of family-run
country house charm with superb sports and leisure facilities. The hotel
is nestled on high ground between the Mole and Taw Valleys in wooded seclusion,
with fine views over the surrounding countryside of Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Highbullen has a restaurant, a brasserie, indoor
& outdoor swimming pools, four lawn tennis courts, indoor
championship bowls, a gymnasium, health spa and a picturesque,
award winning 18 hole golf course set within the 200 acres of mature parkland.
14 miles south-east of Barnstaple; on the edge of Chittlehamholt village.
Bed & Breakfast per night: single room £80.00;
double room £120.00-£200.00.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast per night: single room £105.00;
double room £170.00-£250.00.
Bedrooms: 42 en-suite bedrooms
Parking for 100. Open: All year round.
HOTEL
Northcote Manor Country House Hotel
Burrington, Umberleigh, EX37 9LZ. Tel: 01769 560501.
Website: www.northcotemanor.co.uk
C18th Country House in extensive estate (long private drive through woodland). Elegant and spacious rooms, wonderful woodland walks. Award winning.... 3 AA Red Stars, 2 AA Rosettes, AA Notable Wine List 2008, AA Inspector's Choice Hotel, Best Hotel 2008 by North Devon+, Devon Venue 2008 by Westcountry Wedding Awards, Conde Nast Johansens 'Readers Award' 2006.... "what more could you expect other than professional unobtrusive service, coupled with the finest fresh local produce, prepared with excellent flair and imagination." 12 miles south-east of Barnstaple, betwixt High Bickington and Burrington.
Early Summer Indulgence (July and August) - Stay at Northcote Manor this summer and take advantage of our pretty grounds by enjoying a complimentary cream tea on arrival. Take your tea on the front lawns, sun terrace or in the Victorian garden. Classic rooms £130 Superior rooms £155 Suites £180 - all room rates are per room per night and inclusive of bed and full English breakfast and a complimentary cream tea for two on arrival. Click here for details of this and other special offers.
Bed & Breakfast per night: £160.00-£260.00
per room.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast per night: £250.00-£320.00
per room.
Bedrooms: 9 double, 2 twin. Bathrooms: 11 en-suite.
Parking for 30. Open: All year round.
B&B
Merryfields House
Eastington Cross, Lapford, EX17 6NE. Tel: 01363 83809.
Website: www.merryfieldshouselapford.co.uk
Merryfields is a stone built cottage, set in 14 acres of woodland, gardens and paddocks,
1½ miles from the village of Lapford (rail station, post office, famous inn). Lovely walking country
here - lots of trees, wildflower woods and riverside meadows. Transport for walkers available, also packed
lunches, clothes drying facilities, evening meals (by arrangement) and an extensive knowledge of the locality.
25 miles south-east of Barnstaple, 10 miles north-west of Crediton.
Bed
& Breakfast per night: single occupancy £30.00-£33.00;
double room £50.00-£54.00.
Bedrooms: 2 double. Bathrooms: 1 en-suite, 1 private.
Parking for 3. Open: All year round.
