Devon Holiday Inspiration

There are so many reasons why people flock down to Devon on holiday each year, from surfing, coastline footpaths to moorland walks. Having experienced the best of what Devon has to offer, you’re likely to be slightly jaded and require something to recharge your family’s batteries, which is why we’ve put together a guide of another of Devon’s great attractions, its farmers markets. With so much of our food coming from supermarkets modern society can often feel detached from our culinary heritage and customs. Farmers markets provide a great platform for food artisans to showcase some really tasty stuff. They are also a great way for holidaymakers to delve into local cultural traditions and reconnect with seasonal food that is produced locally and enjoyed at the source. To help you along the way we’ve put together an interactive map, that way you’ll spend more time tasting and less time sitting in traffic. Budleigh Salterton Farmers Market Pin Colour: Red When: The last Friday of every month from 9am – 1pm Location: Rolle Mews Car Park, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6NG Just down the road from Ladram Bay, the Budleigh Salterton farmers market has a wide selection of produce from Clinton Devon Estates, including a range of venison via the estates deer management program. Exeter’s Farmers Market Pin Colour: Yellow When: Every Thursday 9am – 2pm Location: Bedford Square, Exeter, EX1 1QA Foodies keen on tasting the Westcountry’s best offerings can try and buy a wide range of food and drink at the Exeter Farmers Market. The market is in the heart of the city centre and provides a great setting as a food destination. Visitors can browse a delicious range of meats from chicken, pork, lamb, venison, beef and fish, to organic fruit and vegetables, apple juice, preserves, bread, pies and cakes. Local knowledge: Farmers markets provide a great place to talk directly to the people who know a lot about food and how it is made, even if you don’t buy you can still get tips to improve your home cooking! Exmouth Farmers Market Pin Colour: Pink When: Second Wednesday of each month 9am – 1.30pm Location: Strand Gardens, Exmouth, EX8 4NP Exmouth Farmers Market is located in the recently redeveloped Strand Gardens right in the heart of Exmouth town centre. The market was started in 2003 and provides a great range produce from fish, meat, fruit, vegetables to dairy products and much more. All product is of a fantastic standard with traceability at the heart of this, just ask the stallholders who have been directly involved in producing the goods on offer to their ever growing fan base. Local knowledge: Do you keep animals yourself? Ask the producers about their organic and free-range conditions and see if you can pick up any tips to take home with you? Honiton Farmers Market Pin Colour: Light Green When: Third Thursday of each month 9am – 1pm Location: Lace Walk Car Park, Honiton, EX14 1LT Honiton Farmers’ Market offers a very agricultural experience with local meats being brought straight from the farm. Other tasty goods on offer include fresh organic bread and vegetables. The market also has some specialist produce that include rare breed pork, venison and wild boar. For those less concerned about meat there are also a lovely range of local flowers, fruit and local honey’s to take home. Flowers, Herbs, Fruit and Honey. Killerton House Farmers Market Pin Colour: Orange When: Third Saturday of each month March – October 10.30am – 2.30pm Location: Killerton House, Broadclyst, EX5 3LE Can you picture a better place to sample local farming produce than the grand setting of a beautiful National Trust country house? Nope, neither can we. Don’t worry of your holiday doesn’t match up with the 5 suggestions above, here are a few other recommended farmers markets dotted around beautiful Devon. Ashburton Farmers Market Pin Colour: Navy Blue When: 5 days a week Tuesday – Sunday – open all day Location: Library end of the West St Car Park, Ashburton, TQ13 7QH Barnstable Farmers Market Pin Colour: Brown When: Every Tuesday and Friday Location: Pannier Market, Barnstaple, EX31 1SY Dartmouth Farmers Market Pin Colour: Lavender When: Second Saturday of the month Location: The Old Market, Dartmouth, TQ6 9QF Paignton Farmers Market Pin Colour: Light Grey When: Held every first and third Wednesday of each month from 9.30am – 2.30pm Location: Occombe Farm, Preston Down Road, TQ3 1RN Greendale Farm Shop Pin Colour: Dark Green If you find there’s simply too much to do in Devon and can’t make it to a farmers market then be sure to try Greendale Farm Shop, it is open 7 days a week and is less than 20 mins from Ladram Bay. The shop has a tasty selection of meat, game, seafood, fruit and vegetables from trusted local producers.

Looking for all-weather family fun in Devon? Woodlands Family Theme Park is set in over 90 acres of Dartmoor countryside, with 16 rides and about 500 animals, including 50 birds of prey. Other interesting animals include eagle owls, swooping Falcons, cute rabbits and giant tortoises. Those seeking an outdoor adventure will not be disappointed by the Ninja Tower, Bumper Boats, Sea Dragon Swing (picture below) or the Commando Course. If the weather doesn’t not play ball then visitors can occupy themselves in one of the largest indoor play areas in the UK, which includes; slides, ball blasting, net climbs and a mirror maze. Planning a day trip from Ladram Bay? Use the interactive map below to find your way and minimise your journey time. Useful Information: Approximate journey time: 1 hour 5 mins Distance: 46 miles / 75 kilometres No dogs (with the exception of guide dogs)    

For those wanting to take in a bit of local history, few places in Devon provide such an enduring legacy as Powderham Castle, one of England’s oldest family homes. Sir Philip Courtenay began building it in 1391 and it has remained in the same family to this day, currently home to the 18th Earl & Countess of Devon. Did you know: The seat of ‘Earl of Devonshire’ is actually based in Derbyshire and should not be confused with the Earl of Devon. Interesting facts: Their are 650 follow deer within Powderham’s grounds. Until 2004, Powderham was home to Britain’s oldest resident Timothy the Tortoise (1839-2004). She was actually female, but this was only discovered in 1926 when it was decided ‘he’ should mate. Located in beautiful surroundings just 40 minutes from Ladram Bay and beside the Exe estuary, Powderham Castle is truly a Devon must see and great family day out. Visit one of the regular family events that take place throughout the year, take a guided tour of the grounds that are steeped in 600 years of history, stroll through the Walled Garden Play Area & Pets Corner or take a safari in the Deer Park. There is certainly lots to do and see at Powderham Castle. Local knowledge: The Exe Estuary Cycle Route runs right past Powderham Castle, cyclists can travel from Exmouth > Topsham > Countess Wear > Powderham > Starcross (via ferry) > Exmouth. To plan this trip read Route A of Ladram’s ‘family cycle routes of Devon‘ blog post. Planning a day trip? Use the interactive map to find your way from Ladram Bay Holiday Park to Powderham Castle. Approximate journey time: 35 minutes Distance: 17 miles / 28 kilometres No dogs (with the exception of guide dogs)

Cycling, be it as a tourist or local, gives you a totally different way of interacting with your surroundings, getting fit and embracing the great outdoors. Over the past few years, extensive work to the National Cycle Network 2 (NCN 2) has created a network of cycle paths which, once finished, will stretch from Dover to St. Austell. All this means there has never been a better time to take up cycling. We’ve put together four local routes in an interactive map to suit all abilities, plus a few stop offs enroute to break up the journey and let you take in your surroundings – otherwise known as catching your breath. Short Ride:  Mid-Length Journey:  Tour de Devon:  A: Exe Estuary Cycle Route – NCN 2 This route along the Exe Estuary offers a 16 mile circular lap of designated cycle (and walking) routes. We’ve mapped out the loop starting by a public car park (next to the train station) on Royal Avenue in Exmouth. Bike hire is available at numerous points along the route, but for convenience sake, try Exmouth Cycle Hire. From Exmouth, cycle up to Countess Weir and down the Exeter Ship Canal tow path towards the Turf Hotel. The Turf Hotel is one of the few pubs in the UK that is only accessible by foot, bike or boat and it’s this lack of simple accessibility that makes it such a great stopping point for cyclists and watersports lovers alike. From Turf continue along the cycle path to Starcross and embark the ferry back to the finishing line in Exmouth, alternatively ferries do run between the Turf & Topsham. Ferry information: cost £4.50 adult / £3.50 child / £1 per bike / journey time 15 – 20 mins. Route Info – 16 miles / 1 hr 45 mins of cycling / flat / child friendly Mid-Length Journey:  B: Haldon Forest, Exeter The Haldon Forest offers 3,500 acres of woodland just 15 mins from Exeter and the perfect place for families to spend a day cycling in safety. We’ve picked the shortest and most friendly route known as the Discovery Trail, however there are five others to test all experience levels – click on this Haldon Cycle Trails map for a full breakdown. Route info (1 of 6) – 1.5 miles, 30 mins of cycling Short Ride:  C: Otterton to Exmouth – NCN 2 This route predominantly uses the National Cycle Network 2, with a very brief crossing of the  B3178 between Knowle and East Budleigh. You can find further details on Exmouth’s cycle route by clicking here (Exmouth). This route features a wider variety of gradients than the Exe Estuary Route, but suitable for cyclists of all abilities – just remember you share the path with pedestrians. Route info – 8 miles, 50 mins of cycling (one way) Route info – 16 miles, 1 hour 40 mins of cycling (return) Mid-Length Journey:  D: Ladram to Sidmouth This final route is an all road affair from Ladram to Sidmouth via the winding climbs and descents of Peak Hill. This route, while not especially long does contain some challenging sections, but freewheeling into Sidmouth and on return into Ladram will give your legs a much needed respite. Route info – 4.4 miles, 40 mins of cycling (one way) Route info – 8.8 miles, 1 hour 20 mins of cycling (return) Tour de Devon: 

Devon has natural beauty and coastlines in abundance, the biggest dilemma when walking is choosing which route to embark upon. The majority of coastal walks in the southwest centres around the South West Coastal Path that stretches 1,013 km from Minehead to Poole. To help you along the way we have pulled together several of our favourite East Devon coastal routes, each with a refuelling point enroute. Difficulty Rating: Short Stroll:   Mid-Length Jaunt: Steeper Climbs:  A: Harbour View Cafe, Exmouth Seafront Walk along a short section of the South West Coastal Path of Exmouth Seafront to Orcombe Point, the latter of which marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast. The route gives you the option of a footpath or walking along the sand, both of which are flat and family friendly. At the halfway point (Orcombe Point) enjoy an ice cream before heading back towards the Harbour View Cafe. Short Stroll:  Harbour View Cafe > South West Coastal Path > End of Exmouth seafront (return) Route Info – 4 km, 40 mins of walking. B: The Globe Inn, Lympstone Finished in late 2013, the Exe Estuary Trail offers a shore hugging 26 miles of traffic free paths along the Exe Estuary. While the whole route is very flat, safe and thus family friendly, we’ve picked a relatively short route that takes you to the picturesque estuary village of Lympstone. Try stopping off at the Globe Inn to break up the journey before strolling back to Exmouth. Mid-Length Jaunt:  Exmouth Train Station > Exe Estuary Trail > Lympstone (return) Route Info – 6 km, 1 hr 20 mins of walking. C: The River Otter From the picturesque Otterton bridge, walk along the river bank 4 km to Budleigh beach. The path is flat and a popular spot for walkers and anglers alike, offering fantastic river and sea views. Budleigh offers you 2 miles of pebbled beach to enjoy and safe clean water for swimming in. When you arrive back at Otterton bridge pop into the Otterton Mill and see the traditional flour mill, bakery and most importantly restaurant to refuel. Mid-Length Jaunt:  Otter Mill Bakery > The River Otter > Budleigh Salterton (return) Route Info – 8 km, 1 hr 20 mins of walking. D: The Jurassic Coastal Path From Ladram Bay, join the South West Coast Path and head east towards Sidmouth –  you’ll get the legs burning soon enough as you climb High Peak Hill. At points the path is narrow and has a diverse range of gradients, so be sure to leave the flip flops at home. At the summit of High Peak Hill be sure to stop at the look off point for stunning views (east & west) along the Jurassic Coast. Head down the hill into the town of Sidmouth and its beautiful Connaught Gardens, before heading back to Ladram. On return to Ladram Bay drop into the Pebbles Restaurant to rehydrate. Steeper Climbs:  Ladram Bay > South West Coast Path > Sidmouth (return) Route Info – 6 km, 1 hr 30 mins of walking.

With the recent hot weather a large pod of dolphins were spotted off the coast just a short distance from Ladram Bay, staying for a few days people flocked to see them. Reports have seen them playing out at sea in the warm water. Fingers crossed the warm weather continues and our friends return!