In the area - things to do, see and (maybe most importantly) where to eat!
Apart from relaxing in your own private garden, exploring the farm or walking the country roads there are many local attractions within a 30 minute drive.
Those with children may enjoy The BIG Sheep, The Milky Way, Dartington Crystal, RHS Gardens Rosemoor, The Gnome Reserve ... to name but a few.
For the more active visitors Craneham is centrally located for access to The South West Coast Path, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Melbury Forest & Reservoir, the SSSI at Thorne Moor and the Tarka Trail is a lovely day out for those who enjoy walking or cycling (cycle hire available in Bideford, Torrington and Barnstaple). Horse riding is available at Woolsery and Westward Ho!
The North Devon coast offers a variety of resorts and beach experiences. From the Blue Flag beach at Westward Ho! favoured by surfers, 1000 acres of common land of Northam Burrows and the golden sands of Instow to the rugged rocky cove at Bucks Mills and Peppercombe which is well worth the walk. Further afield - Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton also offer surfing and water sports.
Whatever you are looking for in a beach, the North Devon coast is sure to satisfy.
No visit to the Bideford area would be complete without a taste of the famous Hockings Ice Cream - their vans are out and about from March to October at various locations (and they have even been known to show up in the village!).
We are lucky enough to still have several rural pubs which serve food within a short drive. In no particular order we have The Bell Inn at Parkham, The Coach & Horses at Buckland Brewer (a mile and a half away - about 40 minutes walk!), The Bell Inn at Monkleigh (sadly they have closed again July 2025 - perhaps they'll emerge again like a phoenix), The Union Inn at Stibb Cross, The Crealock Arms at Littleham and slightly further away The Thatched Inn at Abbotsham and The Bradworthy Inn at Bradworthy. We have yet to be disappointed with the Sunday roast at any of them!
For a light bite there are plenty of cafes dotted around - sadly we seldom get a chance to test them out! We would always recommend that you try out an independant local cafe rather than the chains (you can do that at home!) if at all possible.
In Bideford Otters Cafe at the bottom of the High Street is dog friendly and it's in a great position to watch the world go by, Mr Chips on the Quay unsurprisingly is a Fish and Chip shop - without a doubt the best sit down Fish and Chips in town (prepare for a wait - and a chance to build up your appetite - though if you stop by on the off chance for a sneaky takeaway) or The Secret Garden Cafe on Mill Street hides a garden for a spot of alfresco dining.
In Torrington The Puffing Billy is in the old railway station by the Tarka Trail offering a range of food and drink 7 days a week and it's dog friendly to boot, the Pavillion Cafe at Dartington Crystal gives a place to catch your breath after hitting the factory tour, visitor centre and factory shop or The Plough Cafe and Bar in the centre of town is open Wednesday through to Saturday and you can enjoy a cuppa here whilst soaking up some culture.
We often hear good reports about Tea on the Green in Westward Ho! and Pebbleridge Kitchen on Northam Burrows.
Bideford
'The Little White Town' has a variety of independent shops, a Pannier Market (at the top of High Street) with market days on Tuesday through to Saturday and a comprehensive collection of supermarkets. Slightly out of town is a shopping mall 'Affinity Devon' (formerly known as 'Atlantic Village' - still referred to as such by locals and regular visitors and some road signs may still refer to this) with a constantly changing range of outlet shops.
Torrington (aka Great Torrington)
A proper independent town with an array of small shops, a Pannier market (just off the square) with a number of craft workshops, small shops and a cafe (Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 16.00) and a Market Hall containing the weekly General Market stalls on Fridays and Saturdays. Only two small supermarkets, but more than enough to keep the community well fed! Dartington Crystal - famous for it's glassware - has it's factory in the town and they also have a shopping area where you can buy 'seconds' of their products and goods from other shops.
Barnstaple
The big town of the area - here we have more of the High Street names you may be used to, along with independent shops and a range of cafes.
Bradworthy
A nearby village with a huge square and plenty of free parking. Bradworthy has everything that a country person could possibly need - with a veterinary practice, doctors surgery, furniture shop, butchers and two grocery shops. Worth a visit for a step back in time.
Holsworthy
A small agriculturally based town with our nearest livestock market. Wednesday is the traditional 'market day' with machinery sales being held on the first Saturday of most months. Well worth a trip - if only for the market breakfast!
Aside from relaxing on the farm there are plenty of local businesses offering pampering and relaxing services, if that's more your thing.
Emms at SaltwaterGaia is located just the other side of Bideford (about 8 miles from us) or will travel to your 'home from home'. A Crystal Specialist offering Crystal Healing, Intuitive Reiki, Crystal Reiki, Crystal Massage, Lava Shell Massage and Indian Head Massage. Emms works with children, adults and animals in your home from home. Also available bespoke Crystal Healing courses, workshops, pamper parties and psychic parlour games.
At Satori Therapies & Coaching, Elle offers Reiki and other holistic therapies along with meditation events, forest bathing and women's circles.
Closer to home Rachel at Restful Rainbow Therapies offers reflexology, Reiki and Indian Head Massage from her 'healing shed' in Stibb Cross.
As well as coast based activities there are a host of other things to do locally.
The Pocket in Bideford High Street is an indoor rock climbing / bouldering gym with a cafe. An imaginitive repurposing of the former Woolworths / The Original Factory Shop in the heart of town.
Devon Dog Pool offers a fun, safe, and secure environment where dogs of all sizes and abilities can safely enjoy the water in an indoor pool. Located on the Caddsdown Industrial Estate on the outskirts of town.
Further afield, Escape The Game is in Bovey Tracey (about 45 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes from us) offering entertainment for ages 7 and up.
Survival Combat Games between Torrington and Barnstaple offers adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities including Laser Tag and Airsoft in a scenic woodland setting to test your strategic thinking, teamwork, and determination. Suitable for all abilities from the age of 7 up.
Although we could be described as being in the middle of nowhere we do have two towns just a 15/20 minute drive away - if you are organised you can phone ahead to many of the takeaways before setting out and be back with hot food in less than 45 minutes. Please note that Monday seems to be a bad day to get a takeaway and that many of the takeaways do not have access to card machines (although there are ATMs dotted around the area).
Bideford has a great variety of Chinese and Indian takeaways - the subject of huge debate on the local community Facebook groups! If you fancy something oriental Mr Ho! is convenently positioned on The Quay, Yumee is on The Pill with easy parking outside or Paramount is in Bridgeland Street (at the far end of Mill Street). For something a bit more spicy The Spice is on The Quay, Sagor is in Chingswell Street or The Gurkha is in Allhalland Street.
Hong Kong Diner in Westward Ho! and Kingsburg in Northam are also worth a mention - and if you go prepared with cutlery you could enjoy some sea air whilst eating your Chinese!
Torrington has Chef Lin and Yau's House at opposite ends of Well Street and Everest Indian Takeway in South Street.