Swallow's Nest
43563 miles N of Tiverton | Sleeps 2 + cot* (no children from 1 to 15)
7 Nights from £344
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
Set in the lovely Ex Valley, this 15th century country inn serves real ales and food in a cosy, traditional setting with flagstone floors and oak-beamed ceilings. Try the Exmoor game in the recently refurbished restaurant.
October 2017
The Exeter Inn was our nearest pub on our holiday, the staff were very friendly, they couldn't do enough to assist us. Lovely, homely pub with beautful log burning fires. The food was exceptional!!
Nearby beach
Dunster Beach enjoys beautiful views of Blue Anchor Bay and out towards the Bristol Channel. A mixture of sand and pebbles, the beach is overlooked by the West Somerset Railway Line and is easily accessible via the South West Coast Path. There are also lots of parking options, with car parks and separate parking close by. With dogs only restricted from certain parts of the beach, Dunster's flat sands, gentle gradient and lovely scenery make it a lovely spot to breathe in the fresh air and go for a walk.
July 2023
Dog freindly
Lovely little place the beach is great for dog walkers
Nearby walk
Two walks are available around the village of Oakford, the first being a gentle ramble of just over two miles, the second a little more strenuous at seven and a half miles. Park in the village hall car park and take your pick!
Nearby town
Tiverton is set on the Exe and Lowman rivers in a circular layout, now jealously guarded by the planners. Best known for John Heathcoat who set up his 19th Century textile factory with a few wool frames after escaping the luddites in Loughborough, the industry prospered and he built nearby Knighthayes Court as his mansion - now open to visitors with the National Trust. Tiverton Castle is in the centre of the town.
September 2012
Nice town with all the required services. Pannier market with different wares each day.
May 2009
Historic market town with some very interesting buildings - venerable Tiverton Castle, magnificent St. Peter`s Church, three medieval almshouses, Old Blundells, Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, baroque St. George`s Church. A great base for a holiday as such easy motoring access to Dartmoor, Exmoor, North and South coast beaches, Exeter. Good restaurants in the town, and excellent pubs in local villages.
Also nearby
A wonderful Gothic pile with stunning formal gardens and beautiful interiors. The walled garden provides produce for the Stables restaurant where you can watch the gardeners at work or explore the woodland walks.
September 2020
Knightshayes
Interesting house surrounded by magnificent gardens.
May 2014
Free parking and walk for dog
We couldn't go in as we had the dog with us, but the car park was free and there's a nice woodland walk off the car park where dogs can walk off the lead. Nice setting and surrounding countryside.
September 2012
Stunning
One of the best national trust properties we've ever been to, something for all ages. The gardens are fantastic and offer both formal and woodland styles. Well worth a visit!
May 2012
Beautiful gardens!
The gardens are the jewel of this property, with many different areas; woodland, formal garden, meadow, parkland and a stunning restored kitchen garden which provides produce for the lovely stables restaurant. Highly recommended and really easy access from the M5.
July 2010
One of the finest surviving Gothic Revival houses, this rare example of the work of eccentric architect William Burges has extraordinary medieval romantic interiors. The beautiful garden includes a kitchen garden.
April 2009
Glorious garden. Monster house, but interesting contents.
July 2008
Good National Trust property
Interesting house and gardens, even kept the kids going for two hours.
This village is in the heart of Exmoor’s most outstanding countryside. Here you’ll find the Exmoor National Park Centre, which has stacks of information regarding activities on the moors, plus some pleasant cafes and pubs for lunch or a cream tea.
July 2023
Dulverton
Lovely town very friendly with a variety of eateries
May 2022
Dulverton
Also some lovely gift shops!
March 2020
Bookshop
You could lose yourself in here for hours. A treasure house of second hand and antiquarian books, well worth a visit.
July 2017
Dulverton
Very nice town with pretty shops and good Pubs and Inns
June 2016
Heritage Centre
This is an excellent display of local artefacts, pictures, countryside etc. Also railway history and a good kitchen display with a "talking" cook and housekeepr. Upstairs there is more to see - it is especially worthwhile sitting and watching 4 short videos of local events. All this for FREE although they ask for a donation. Coming into Dulverton turn left immediately after the bridge and follow the road around a big curve until it ends in the carpark with access to the centre. otherwise access through the information centre in the main street. This also has a good supply of maps, leaflets etc and the best postcards!
May 2012
An interesting little town full of conveniences.
Dulverton is not exactly somewhere I could imagine spending an entire day at, but it does provide a good centre by which to stop by and stock up. There are plenty of conveniences such as a local co-op for your simple needs (bread, milk and some alcohols: beers...not wines, go somewhere decent for wine), small thrift shops as well as some tea rooms including Lewis's which is a personal favourite. There is a beautiful church at the top of the town which is worth popping into, and in the centre of town there is a fish and chip shop which opens at lunchtime from 12 noon until 2pm. There is also a bakery which sells a selection of baked breads, pies, sausage rolls as well as many sweet items, the game pie is delicious and enormously filling. The tea rooms near the co-op (I have forgotten the name!) are smaller than Lewis's but offers an entirely different ambience, more cosy and homely, helped in no small way by the warm, friendly manners of the owners (of which the landlady kindly ushered us in for tea as we oogled the menu outside, proclaiming the redundancy of pneumonia when there are menu's indoors to browse).
By far this is no Dunster or Tiverton etc, but it is a quaint little town that is central to lots of local attractions and is worth stopping by for an hour or two.
Originally built for Henry I, this castle encompasses 900 years of history. Worth a visit to see the romantic ruins and beautiful walled gardens and you can book a stay through Classic Cottages as there are several cottages and apartments available. Tours can be booked in advance, with limited availability.
March 2010
You can even stay here through Classic Cottages!
May 2009
A really nice place for children to visit, very hands on. Visitors can try on Civil War armour, see the medieval loos, learn about the 900 years of history, the ghosts, secret passages; beautiful garden. Very moderate admission prices, and excellent value for money. Free visitor parking inside.
Just outside Exmoor National Park, Bampton is everything you could hope for in a Devon town. Located entirely within a conservation area, Bampton’s streets are lined with historic listed buildings, giving the distinct feeling that you’ve stepped back in time. The town is famous for its flowers - having won the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition no less than 6 times, Bampton is a magnet for the green-fingered, who make a pilgrimage here during the summer months to marvel at the floral displays.
May 2014
Called in a small bakery here to purchase bread. Homemade and absolutely delicious, also purchased some venison burgers from a street vendor, the game and pheasant man. He also has a stall at another market nearby, where we paid him another visit to purchase duck and plum sausages. All the produce was exceptionally good and excellent value. We had a wonderful cup of tea in the bakery too , delicious and best value for money cuppa all holiday .
A country pub on the River Barle, on the edge of Exmoor National Park. They have been graded by the Green Tourism Scheme and serve classical British food with a twist. Dogs are welcomed with a gravy bone to chew on whilst you make use of the free WiFi!
July 2023
The bridge inn
Nice pub with outside seating overlooking the river, typical pub food friendly staff
February 2023
Friendly and good food
Local pub that served very decent pub grub and had very friendly staff. Worth booking ahead if you want to eat at the weekend.
July 2022
Bridge Inn
Good food friendly staff
June 2022
Friendly staff.
Seating outside with the River and Green just across the road, ideal for a summer evening.
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