Our gorgeous holiday cottages at Stonehayes Farm are perfect for walking breaks in Devon, for when you want to spend the days exploring beautiful countryside, returning to a place that’s warm and cosy, somewhere peaceful where you can spend the evening relaxing before you settle down for a restful night’s sleep, waking up ready to face another day of striding out across the hills and fields in the glorious fresh air.
We consider ourselves very lucky to be living in such a wonderful part of the world. It seems to be something that our guests appreciate too because we have so many people who come here to stay in one of our dog friendly holiday cottages for walking breaks in Devon. Pack your boots and your waterproofs and come and explore!
If you don’t want a full on hike there are 15 acres of grounds here at Stonehayes Farm to discover, with walks down through the valley to the River Luv and up to the Iron Age fort at Dumpdon Hill where you’ll have views that roll on across the landscape for miles. In the spring you’ll be strolling through sun dappled bluebell woods, later on in the year you’ll be ankle deep in autumn leaves, crisp beneath your feet.
Stonehayes Farm is tucked away in the Blackdown Hills AONB and whilst there are walks a-plenty from the doorstep, there’s a bounty of fantastic walking territory just a short drive away. Head over the hills to the quiet village of Culmstock where you can climb to the top of Culm Beacon and then head back down for coffee at The Strand Stores or a pub lunch at The Culm Valley Inn. Spend a day wandering the paths and forest trails at Castle Neroche, taking in the Staple Fitzpaine Herepath and Staple Hill – all have commanding views over the Somerset countryside and afterwards, refreshments can be found at The Greyhound Inn at Staple Fitzpaine just a mile or so down the road.
Otterhead Lakes is a tranquil nature reserve that makes a wonderful starting point for a good walk, with rewarding sustenance at the Candlelight Inn at Bishopswood or The Holman Clavel at Culmhead. Another good vantage point is Hembury Fort near Payhembury – for good reason the site has been a Roman military base, an Iron Age Fort and a Neolithic Settlement, with supporting evidence on display at the RAM Museum in Exeter.
And of course, it’s not far to the coast from our Devon holiday cottages, which means you can take bracing clifftop walks on the South West Coast Path. Walk from Beer to Branscombe via Hooken Undercliff or follow the 7.5 mile route through The Undercliff Nature Reserve from Axmouth to Lyme Regis; this unique landscape was created by a series of landslips and once you get deep in the woods it’s like another world of towering cliffs, dense foliage and the ruins of centuries old cottages.
What’s great is that there are trails for seasoned walkers and beginners alike, so most are perfect for families to explore. It’s a great opportunity for nature spotting too, rich in flora and fauna, so it might be an idea to take binoculars with you and have your camera at the ready. The whole area is one of history and undeniable beauty and as you walk you can see how the people who have lived and worked here for generations have shaped the landscape; there is so much to discover, so much to marvel at.
Our holiday cottages in Devon are dog friendly so if your pet pooch normally joins you on your forays that’s not a problem. Get back, dry him off, and if it’s chilly outside light the wood-burner so you can all gather round, snug as bugs. Actually, there’s something about walking breaks in Devon during the winter months, maybe it’s that whole getting back to base and warming up thing, but what’s also good is that you don’t have to worry about cattle in the fields that time of year, and of course, everywhere is quieter, less people about. Sometimes you can walk for miles and not see a soul so you feel as if you have a whole world to yourselves.
Get out there, get active, reap the rewards of exercise and wholesome country air, guaranteed to put colour in your cheeks. Check out the link below for more brilliant walks, then get set for a walking break in Devon that you’ll love. Our family friendly cottages sleep 4 -14 so are ideal for couples, smaller families and bigger groups. Book today!