|
North Devon
Scene
Atlantic Highway - A39 Trail
Take the A39 trail out of Bideford and it will lead
you through a land of rural charm and coastal beauty
which defies description. Be sure to pay a visit to
all the picturesque villages along the way
This is countryside with small communities where the
summer months are filled with garden fetes, church sales
and country fairs – watch out for their posters.
Villages like Buckland Brewer, Parkham, Monkleigh, Littleham
and Frithelstock are all worth a visit. So are their
many friendly pubs and restaurants.
The small villages and hamlets to the west of Bideford
must not be missed either. Just follow the A39 heading
for Cornwall and discover them for yourself. At Horns
Cross, a little further along the main A39, a lane darts
off and takes you to the beautiful wooded valley of
Peppercombe.
Back on the main road heading south is The Hoops Inn.
This thatched 13th century hostelry no doubt saw famous
seafarers like Sir Richard Grenville, who was born just
a few miles away.
Bucks Mills is a seaside hamlet which time has left
untouched. A leafy lane leads down to a car park from
where the village is but a short walk. A cliff path
leads to a rocky, but safe and secluded, beach.
 |
| • Clovelly: the famously steep street
of Down-along or Up-along depending
on which way you are walking! |
Further along the coast is the jewel in Torridgeside’s
crown – the quaint village of Clovelly,
which you must pay an admission charge to visit.
Then travelling further along the A39 at Bucks Cross,
you will see a signpost pointing in the direction of
Woolfardisworthy. Beneath this word in brackets is ‘Woolsery’.
This is the shortened name by which the village is known
today. It also distinguishes it from another Woolfardisworthy,
which is many miles away, near Crediton. Woolsery has
a pub, a post office, fish and chip shop, garage and
a primary school. Just outside the village is the attractive
Merry Harriers Nursery, a place with something to interest
every keen gardener; it has a tea room too.
Also nearby is the Milky Way Adventure Park which welcomes
thousands of visitors a year to its many outstanding
features. These include regular birds of prey demonstrations,
the Clone Zone interactive ride and Time Warp indoor
adventure centre. Don’t miss the ferret display
and look out for the “cuddling corner” where
you can get close to baby lambs.
Or maybe pay a very worthwhile visit to Brocklands Adventure
Park, runner-up in the England For Excellence Awards
2001 and Quality Assured, Brocklands is a fun-packed
value day out, whatever the weather.
And there’s also The Big Sheep family entertainment
park which provides a unique day out, whatever the weather.
|