The Shippen
45321 mile W of Ashburton | Sleeps 6 + 2 cots*
7 Nights from £955
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
This is a great place to drop by. The stunning Exmoor National Park is on the doorstep so you can call in here for a well deserved pint or bar meal after your walk. The pub is traditional with real ale available.
Nearby beach
Next to Paignton Sands this is also a popular family beach, with colourful beach huts and a long promenade. Go rockpooling at low tide at the northern end.
Nearby walk
A variety of walks start from the Tradesman's Arms and you can choose from an easy four mile saunter to a six mile hard slog. Scorriton is on the eastern edge of Dartmoor and walks take in the lovely views and ancient monuments of the moors. Take a look at the Web site for routes.
Nearby town
Steeped in history, Ashburton is a pretty, vibrant town on the south side of Dartmoor National Park. Wander down the high street and you will find a good selection of galleries, antique shops and places to eat.
Also nearby
Agatha Christie's holiday home nestles on a crook of the River Dart in a beautiful woodland garden that is home to such horticultural treasures as Monterey pines, eucalyptus, China roses, myrtle and Turkey oaks. For a magical experience that's also kind to the environment, travel there by boat. 'Green ways' ferries leave from Dartmouth, Brixham and Torquay. Following a major restoration project, The National Trust has re-opened the house to the public, where quirky collections of memorabillia offer a glimpse into the private life of the well-loved crime writer. For house opening times and an events list, please visit the Web site.
October 2022
Better than Eden project
Really wonderful visit to greenway ,( the day before we had been to Eden project that was so disappointing compared to Greenway) interesting visit round house, and the gardens are wonderful the trees and plants labelled so helpful, my sister and I went on the ferry from Dittisham only a little ferry but great fun and only five minutes across estuary recommend as you can only park at Greenway for Three hours and it is all so fascinating there we spent longer than three hours. Well done to all at Greenway.
September 2021
Well worth a visit
Best place we visited
July 2021
Greenway
Former house of Agatha Christie
August 2020
Beautiful!
Amazing grounds and lovely views of the Dart.
October 2019
Lovely day out
This house is in the most beautiful spot, you could really imagine living there. The gardens are gorgeous and the walk beside the river is great for body and soul - look out for the resident seal!
August 2019
Well worth a visit
The setting exquisite. Such lovely views. A walk to the boathouse a must. Trails for the children excellent.
July 2014
The journey to the house by way of the National Trust ferry was enjoyable as was the walk back to Dartmouth along the Dart Valley Trail and ferry (higher or lower will do, the former is cheaper). Unfortunately the house itself was a little disappointing with an over cluttered interior that did not really tell any particular story. There were bits and pieces of interest but overall it seemed as though everything from different times and sources was put in that could be which detracted. The entry to the house is timed but we still felt that it was over-crowded and NT should consider making the house visits guided only. The walled gardens were good with a beautifully restored peach house providing a highlight.
June 2013
Well worth a visit to this house, an effort to get there as you can't go by car unless you pre-book. It was a nice ride there in the boat but you would need good weather. Lovely spring flowers in the grounds. Cafe/restaurant disappointing as there were no main meal available.
May 2012
Enjoyed by All
A lovely house in beautiful surroundings on the banks of the River Dart. Good to see the interiors haven't been messed around with and still look as if Agatha and her family have just popped out for a minute. I can see why she loved it so much and the gardens are a delight. Thoroughly enjoyed by all - including a 22 year old male! Well worth a visit but, if arriving by car, don't forget to pre-book a parking space.
November 2011
A lovely boat ride from Dartmouth, but overall the house was disappointing. A hotch potch interior and hard to believe it was inhabited up until 2004. All furniture pre-dates the turn of the last century. The children did enjoy completing their quiz sheets 'can you find' and I can really recommend the pasties in the coffee takeaway shop (not the main cafe).
March 2010
An inspirational place!
This beautiful house set in wonderful surrounding is well worth a visit. It is easy to see why Agatha Christie loved this place and penned a number of her novels here. The surrounding woodlands with views of the River Dart are superb. You can take a ferry from Dartmouth to get to Greenway but we chose to take the foot ferry from Dittisham (another charming little place). I would highly recommend a visit to this lovely area.
March 2009
Visiting Greenway is a lovely way to spend the day, they also have occasional events so it is worth having a look before you go to see if any take your fancy. If you like gardens, I would recommend visiting Greenway as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 2008
'The Loveliest Place in the World'
Agatha Christie was right to call this the 'loveliest place in the world'. Arriving by ferry is really the best way to see it. A stroll in the pretty woodland gardens followed by some delicious homemade food in the Barn Cafe, rounded off with the return trip on the ferry makes for a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
A delightful Dartmoor inn surrounded by moorland and close to the village centre. Food is home cooked and real ales are available. In winter a roaring log fire will keep you warm and during the summer months there's a sheltered garden with access via a bridge over a moorland stream. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
August 2024
Loved it so much we came back!
We came here early in our stay, based on the review in the cottage and enjoyed our meal so much we booked dinner for our last night too. Do book ahead - popular with locals and visitors for good reason!
August 2022
Great pub
Excellent food and lovely characterful pub.
April 2019
Recommended
Friendly staff, a good range of food and a great setting.
June 2017
We ate here twice whilst staying in Widecombe -it's a 'proper' rural pub with an exceptionally friendly landlord and a good variety of guest ales and wine. The menu was really interesting and the meals were generous and well cooked. The pub itself is small, but there is also a larger streamside beer garden. Would highly recommend - always lots of locals here too, which speaks volumes.
August 2009
Lovely old-fashioned homely pub by Widecombe in the Moor. Locally sourced food and real ales straight from the barrel.
Having recently undergone a big makeover, the Carpenters Arms is ready to welcome guests with warm hospitality and excellent home-cooked food. Bright, clean and cosy, the pub is very popular so booking ahead is advised.
August 2022
Carpenters Arms, Ilsington
Village pub popular with both locals,and visitors. Good menu and friendly service.
July 2021
Great pub
Lovely pub serving classic pub food of very good quality. Seafood sharing platter was a great hit. Draught ales were perfectly kept. Staff were friendly and very helpful. We went twice during our stay. Dog friendly.
January 2020
Not as good as we had hoped.
The log burner was very smoky so windows had to be opened and the pub quickly got cold. The chef ran out of peas for our fish and chips, and although the steak pie was good, the veg consisted of sliced courgettes which were tasteless. Just a bit disappointing, considering we had booked a week before.
May 2019
Christine Weston
A really lovely pub serving good food and beer. Friendly service - a relaxing place to eat and drink.
October 2018
Popular
We were lucky enough to stay at The Old Post Office just around the corner from The Carpenter's Arms and we used it several times. Lovely welcoming atmosphere and the 'pub grub' menu was well cooked and presented. Would happily go back.
April 2010
Pretty and traditional 18th Century pub in an unspoilt little village. Popular with locals and visitors alike, good wholesome menu and friendly and attentive staff - plus a lovely log fire!
Home to a Roman Catholic community of Benedictine Monks, Buckfast Abbey is a living monastery that is open to visitors. You can pick up some Buckfast Tonic Wine or handmade gifts in the Monastic Produce shop.
June 2022
So peaceful
What beautiful buildings and gardens and a really super cafe/ restaurant and so close to where we were stayibg
June 2011
A Wonderful Surprise
Visiting the Abbey and its grounds was a truly delightful experience. It is quiet, beautifully maintained and utterly tranquil - despite the large number of visitors. There is a remarkable sense of order and purpose about the place, and visitors take their place in the scheme of things rather than over-running it. I would recommend a visit to the shop selling products from monasteries and abbeys all over Europe. It was fascinating.
Bantham Beach is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has numerous awards tucked under its sandy belt. Overlooking Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island, you can take the famous sea tractor and head to the island or sit and enjoy the views from the shore. A great surfing beach, the huge swathes of sand and sea allow plenty of space for everyone. Well-provisioned and life guarded in the summer, Bantham is a fantastic family-friendly beach.
June 2024
Bantham Beach
We love this beautiful beach.The estuary runs into the sea here ,there’s a pretty boathouse and the views are stunning with vast expanses of sand and pretty sand dunes. Lovely views across to Burgh Island, you can only access the Island from the Bigbury side of the estuary though. Dogs are restricted on the main beach during the main season but if you walk over to the far right as you face the sea there is a huge area where they are allowed.
There is a charge for car parking, £7 when we visited in June, or you can purchase a weekly ticket for £30.00
Usually ,there are gastro vans in the warmer weather and Bantham Village stores(great views from their outside terrace area ) is not far away where you can get some provisions or eat in the cafe there. The Sloop Inn is nearby too.
You can walk directly from Bantham Beach along the SW coastal path to Milton Sands, about 2miles away or about another mile further to Hope Cove.
Bantham Beach had lifeguards patrolling when we visited in June.
March 2024
Misleading information
Bantham Beach is south of the estuary with no sea tractor access to Burgh Island which is from Bigbury Beach , north of the estuary.
When visiting Bantham we tried The Sloop Inn in the village for Sunday lunch but would not revisit.
October 2022
Beach walk
large car park and a short walk to a small ferry to Bigbury on sea, a great beach walk
June 2022
Perfect beach
Something for everyone here plus a good cafe.
August 2021
Great beach with views across to Burgh Island
Lovely privately-owned, wide, sandy beach. Beautiful views across to Burgh Island, walking access is possible at times, depending on the tide. Good facilities, lots of parking (there is a daily charge, so check before going). We enjoyed a great pizza from one of the gastro-buses in the car park. There are picnic benches in the gastro-bus area, and hot, and cold drinks, and other food available.
September 2008
Privately owned beach open to the public. A truly beautiful beach. Wide sands, surfing and wind-surfing, rock pools and a delightfully gentle introduction to the South West Coast Path with views over Burgh Island. No dogs allowed during the summer months. Charge made for car parking.
August 2008
Great family fun beach
Lovely beach with little coves to hide away in, rock pools and lovely clean sandcastle sand; wide enough for kite buggies, best surfing beach on the south coast along with Bigbury on Sea beach opposite. Burgh Island out to sea with its restored evocative 1930's hotel clinging to the edge was the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Island as well as a number of Agatha Christie novels! Dogs allowed on the beach Oct- April and then along the far right hand side (west) during the remainder of the year. Beach balls and skimboards etc plus coffees and teas available from the post office cafe back in the village- great estuary view while sipping away on the deck out back. Lunch or supper in the Sloop pub- best to pre book in season
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