Forest View
41958.7 miles NE of Holsworthy / Sleeps 6 + 2 cots*
7 Nights from £494
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
Half Moon Inn (2 ¾ miles)
Set in the Torridge Valley this atmospheric pub offers a wide ranging menu and is well placed for great outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing.
Mr Burmester July 2011
Excellent for lunches. Also good walking in the vicinity.
Nearest beach
Westward Ho! Beach (13 miles)
Two miles of sand stretching into the distance backed by a pebble ridge which divides the beach from Northam Burrows Country Park, a magnificent stretch of salt marsh, grassland and dunes.
Miss Taylor September 2016
the pier house
Gorgeous restaurant serving lovely food. Stunning views while you eat.
Mrs Selby April 2012
Awesome beach for surfers/bodyboarders!
This beach is incredible...2 miles of the most incredible surf I've ever seen and however busy it gets it never seems crowded.
Miss Morgan September 2011
Felt like I was a kid again
The beach is huge....3miles of it! Although it's a sandy beach, the sand never actually dried out during our visit. But that was great for sandcastle building. Plenty of surfers make use of the beach and the rock pools are fantastic. Great fish and chip shop just up from the beach. Parking is easy. Definitely worth a visit.
Mr and Mrs Douglas-Mann September 2010
Vast expanses of golden sand
Westward Ho! beach is a 'Blue Flag' beach, offering vast expanses of golden sand. Good for surfing, it is patrolled by lifeguards and is one of the safest in the area. An added attraction for youngsters are the many rock pools to explore at low tide.
Nearest walk
Ash Moor Nature Reserve (3 ¾ miles)
A pretty established nature reserve consisting of grassland, meadows, woodland and ponds, and all the associated flora and fauna including orchids, butterflies, dragonflies and hares. The area is accessed via the famous Tarka Trail so don your walking boots or cycle helmets and get out in the great outdoors (not currently entirely suitable for poor mobility or pushchairs). It is also connected to the Devon Wildlife Trust's newest acquisition, the Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve, if you fancy a longer walk.
Nearest town
Great Torrington (6 miles)
Perched on an inland clifftop over the River Torridge, there are some fabulous views in all directions and lots of history to discover as you wander the Pannier Market and bump into historical reenactments along the Tarka Way.
Also nearby
RHS Rosemoor (5 ¼ miles)
Set deep in the north Devon countryside, The Rosemoor estate was once the home of Lady Anne Palmer. Lady Anne developed a passion for plants when she met noted plantsman Colllingwood Ingram while recuperating from measles in Spain. Over the next 30 years, she travelled the world to collect specimens for her garden, which she gave to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988. The estate now comprises 65 acres of land, which includes rose gardens, a winter garden, a fruit and vegetable garden, a formal garden, woodlands, and many stream and lakeside plantings, making Rosemoor an enchanting place to visit whatever the season.
February 2009
Beautiful, well-managed gardens, well worth a visit whatever the season.
October 2008
The garden is absolutely gorgeous and very well looked after. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the restaurant had great locally sourced food. A great day out for adults and children.
August 2008
Roses Galore!
The rose collection - one of the largest in the West Country - is very impressive. In full bloom in the summer, the scent of over 2,000 flowers is quite sensational. The Rose Weekend, held in June, was very informative, with advice on growing your own, as well as walks and activities for children.
Dragon Archery (5 ½ miles)
This fun day out gives you the opportunity to learn the art of archery. Then put your newly taught skill to the test on dinosaurs, wolves and armoured knights! Much more than just target shooting.
Mrs Selby October 2014
Fantastic Family Fun!
Dragon Archery is the place to be if you want to try archery for the first time or if you are more experienced. Great challenges suitable for all ages from 8+. Really friendly encouraging team giving one to one coaching to help you get the most out of your experience. Suitable for all weathers...we went on a very wet and windy day in October! Only advice is BOOK EARLY as this attraction is very very popular!! If you are lucky enough to go along, you will see why.
Mrs Worsfold June 2011
A 3 hour archery session which involves shooting dinosaurs, amongst other things not just targets. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I wasn't expecting to. All equipment was supplied, and we were taught very well how to use it. Rather than just having targets to aim at, there are a number of themed areas including dinosaurs and orcs. The time passed very quickly and owners were very friendly and helpful.
Halsdon Woods and Nature Reserve (5 ¾ miles)
Several kilometres of track wend their way through this 142-acre reserve. Start from one of the two car parks for various circular routes that take in woodland, fields and the banks of the River Torridge
Mr and Mrs Douglas-Mann August 2017
Through the woods and along the banks of the Torridge.
An old ruined mill covered in ivy, a pebbly beach by the side of the river to skim stones, and a trail up into the woods and along old, beaten paths through this nature reserve looked after by Devon Wildlife Trust makes this a perfect outing to observe our beautiful Devon countryside. Our walk took about two hours, perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll. There are hides ranged around the reserve from which to view the wildlife.
Tea on the Green (12 miles)
A retro delight, to take tea back in the forties and fifties close to the seafront at Westward Ho!. A traditional tearoom with cakes and light bites to be washed down with a variety of teas and coffee. This lovely little cafe was voted the best for 2011/2012 in the North Devon Food Awards.
Mrs Adams August 2015
Still fantastic!
We first found Tea on the Green in 2012, and whenever we've been anywhere close (that means within a 1 and half hour drive!!) we've always spent the day at Westward Ho! and included something to eat here. The lunches are great, with excellent choices (you won't go hungry) and the cakes are magnificent. It's always busy though, so you have to be prepared to wait or maybe sit outside.
Mrs Shippam September 2014
The cream teas really are to die for!
Mrs Burton September 2012
A visit a must if you are in Westward Ho
What a lovely little place to stop for tea and cake. Although it was next to where we were staying whatever time of day we walked past it was always full and we determined to try it during our week in Westward Ho so waited across the road until a table outside was empty and ran across before another lucky person was able to sample their lovely food and surroundings. Just amazing.
Mrs Selby April 2012
WOW!!!! The MOST incredible tea shop!
You MUST visit this tea shop! From the outside it's easy to miss or walk past as its not big but once inside it is just fantastic. all decor and music is 1950's and there is so much attention to detail especially the lovely crockery. But best of all the menu is amazing. Cakes are delicious and such a great choice of drinks and food. I'd recommend booking a table to avoid any disappointment!
The Granite Way (13 miles)
This cycle and walking route runs for 11 miles between Lydford and Okehampton along a disused railway line. The route forms part of the National Cycle network with Okehampton the most popular start point where bicycles can be hired locally. The off road track has the advantage of being mostly traffic free. Meldon Viaduct offers spectacular views across the moors.
Mr Allen March 2018
Ahh the sound of traffic!
I love walking, but I couldn't wait to get off this one. We made it from Okehampton to the Meldon Viaduct before abandoning The Granite Way and heading to the moors - it was the only way to escape the A30's roaring traffic! The subsequent walk through the valley to Meldon reservoir and over the moors to Shortacombe was great though!
Mr Mearns September 2015
Kid friendly cycle
Start from the station where you can hire bikes ( we bought our own) there is a youth hostel there in case you need to pick up basic supplies like chocolate and water! I did this with my 5 year old boy- it was not great weather but we cycled to meld on viaduct and back in less than an hour ( total of about 4 miles) and it was enjoyed by both of us - some lovely views and a nice safe easy ride- the only bit on the road is from the very quiet station to the start of the path ( we did this on a rainy day in August)
Mrs Pascoe February 2015
Great for the average cyclist
The cycleway starts at the old Okehampton Station (you can park right there) and is very easy to follow. There are a few gentle hills - nothing that strenuous - so it really is suitable for all ages and abilities. The scenery is beautiful - I'd recommend stopping off at the Bearslake Inn for a swift refreshment! - and it's very easy for an averagely fit cyclist to ride from Okehampton down to Lydford Gorge and back in around 4 hours with time for stop offs.
Mrs Warburton November 2011
From Okehampton station join the Granite Way Walk (cycle route 27) which follows the Dartmoor railway line. It is predominantly tarmac so no dirty puddles to avoid and ideal for bike riders of all ages, with only gentle inclines. A comfortable 3 mile walk will take you to Meldon Viaduct which gives stunning views over the moor and Meldon Reservoir Dam. Another mile or so gets you to the reservoir. At the Viaduct there is a converted railway carriage which provides a small cafe - seems only to be open at weekends which is a real shame as mid week in half term there were plenty of walkers and cyclists who I'm sure would have stopped for a welcome cuppa !
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