Cockerham Estate is a wonderful gateway to Exmoor, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its opportunities for walking, riding and cycling. There are also numerous attractions within a short drive to suit everybody. For local needs South Molton is less than 5 minutes away. For shopping, the market town of Barnstaple and the city of Exeter are close by.
South Molton
This small market town is only a mile away, with a delightful range of independent shops and holds a Farmer’s Market on Thursday and Saturday mornings, where you can buy locally produced meat, vegetables, fruit, bread, and home-made cakes and preserves. Antiques and crafts can be found alongside delicious Devon cream teas in the town’s cafes. There are also chemists, banks, a petrol station and a small Sainbury’s.
South Molton Farmers Market operates on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Barnstaple
Barnstaple (10 miles from Cockerham Estate) is our local town and the largest town in North Devon. Lying on the banks of the River Taw, Barnstaple is a bustling market town with a good variety of national shops and independent traders. Its famous Pannier Market was granted its Charter in Saxon times, and still runs 6 days a week. It is a great place to browse with its general markets on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; crafts on Monday and Thursday and antiques and collectables on Wednesday. Barnstaple also has The Queens Theatre, a cinema, the Tarka Tennis Centre and the North Devon Leisure centre. The Tarka Trail can also be accessed from the town centre. www.staynorthdevon.co.uk
Exeter
Exeter is a vibrant, historic city with a wealth of places to visit; art spaces, shops, bars and restaurants all set around its Roman walls and gates. Among its ‘must see’ attractions are its stunning cathedral, St Peter’s, the beautiful Quayside with its interesting antique shops and the recently renovated High Street and Princeshay shopping centres.
Spend a fascinating day at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (Museum of The Year 2012) where there are galleries of local history and temporary exhibitions. To discover Exeter in Tudor times visit the 900 year old St Nicholas Priory or explore the 14th century Underground Passages which were designed to bring clean water to the city.
If you are in need of somewhere to relax, seek out the beautiful surroundings of the Rougemont Gardens or Northernhay Gardens.
www.discoverexeter.net
http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/
Exmoor
The delightful town of Dulverton, known as the southern gateway to Exmoor, is only 15 miles away, where the Exmoor National Park has its Information Centre. Here a wealth of information about this fantastic area can be found at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
R.D Blackmore’s famous story about Lorna Doone is set in the village of Porlock. Enjoy a fascinating day out in the Doone Valley, between the North Devon towns of Lynton and Porlock and discover the delights of Porlock’s ancient church and charming harbour at Porlock Weir.
To experience something unique, why not try a walk with birds of prey? Exmoor Falconry provides an amazing opportunity to walk with and fly different birds of prey. www.exmoorfalconry.co.uk
If you would like a driven guided tour of Exmoor, then an Exmoor Safari might suit you. There are a number of different companies offering days out exploring Exmoor and the surrounding area, with the opportunity to see local wildlife such as Red Deer and Exmoor Ponies.
www.discoverysafaris.com www.exmoorwildlifesafaris.co.uk www.redstagsafari.co.uk www.johnnykingdom.co.uk/safaris
Beaches & Coves
The stunning beaches of the North Devon coast, Saunton, Croyde Bay, Putsborough and Woolacombe are renowned for their wonderful surfing and are only 20 miles away. If you want to try your hand at surfing then there are a number of surfing schools:
www.surfingcroydebay.co.uk www.surfsouthwest.com www.barefootsurf.com
Other local beaches which are well worth a visit include Instow, Combe Martin and Lynton.
Days Out
There are a huge variety of local attractions, for all ages and interests, ranging from historic houses and gardens to crystal and chocolate factories!
The fascinating National Trust property of Arlington Court is within easy driving distance , while Castle Hill, almost on our doorstep, and RHS Garden Rosemoor and Tapeley Park are a treat for garden lovers. The famous Dartington Crystal factory shop is within easy reach while Melchior Chocolates are only 1 mile away in South Molton.
- Castle Hill Gardens www.castlehilldevon.co.uk/
- NT Arlington Court www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court/
- NT Knightshayes www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes
- RHS Garden Rosemoor www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor
- Tapeley Park www.tapeley-park.com
- Marwoodhill Garden www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk/
- Hartland Abbey www.hartlandabbey.com/
For a Family Day Out, why not visit the zoo, a farm experience or the thrill of riding the steep cliff railway at Lynton?
- Exmoor Zoo (10 mi) www.exmoorzoo.co.uk
- Lynton Cliff Railway (21 mi) www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk
- The Big Sheep (20 mi ) www.thebigsheep.co.uk/
- Quince Honey Farm (1 mi) www.quincehoney.co.uk
- Cobbaton Combat Museum, Umberleigh (7 mi) www.cobbatoncomabt.co.uk
Shopping
South Molton has a variety of local shops including a butchers, bakers, organic food shop alongside gift and tea shops. There is also a chemist , banks, petrol station and a small Sainbury’s.
10 miles away is the large market town of Barnstaple, where many high street chain shops can be found, as well as smaller, individual retailers. It is home to the Queens Theatre, a cinema and a number of restaurants and bars. The city of Exeter is easy to reach via the motorway network.
Barnstaple Pannier Market (Mon-Sat) www.barnstaplepanniermarket.co.uk
Atlantic Village Shopping Outlet with large children’s play area (21 mi) www.atlantisadventurepark.co.uk
Dartington Crystal (22 mi) www.dartington.co.uk/
Melchior Chocolates, South Molton (1mi) www.melchiorchocolates.co.uk
Theatres, Arts & Cinemas
Barnstaple is home to The Queens Theatre, Scotts Cinema and other art and entertainment facilities are listed below:
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- Queens Theatre, Barnstaple (10 mi) www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
- Northcott Theatre, Exeter www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
- Broomhill Sculpture Gardens (15 mi) www.broomhillart.co.uk/
- Scott Cinema, Barnstaple (10 mi) www.scottcinemas.co.uk
- South Molton Museum (1 mi)
- Roger Cockram Ceramics, Chittlehampton (7 mi) www.rogercockram-creamics.co.uk
Walking & Cycling
Cockerham Estate is ideally placed to access some of the most beautiful walking pathways in Devon. Whether you want a gentle stroll along a winding river, a ramble on the moor or a strenuous hike along rugged coastal pathways, there are any number of different walks to suit you. We provide a good selection of local walking trail leaflets in the properties but further details can be found on the specific websites.
The Tarka Trail
Linking Braunton to Meeth, the Tarka Trail offers 30 miles of traffic free cycling along old railway lines passing through many interesting places and giving the chance to see a variety of wildlife. You can join the trail at a number of convenient places. For a detailed map visit www.devon.gov.uk/tarkatrail
Two Moors Way
The Two Moors Way is a long-distance walking route of 102 miles (163 km) stretching between Lynmouth on the North Coast of Exmoor and Ivybridge on the southern edge of Dartmoor. www.devon.gov.uk/walking/two_moors_way.
South West Coast Path
Walking along the South West Coast path offers the chance to experience a wonderful variety of coastal landscapes; steep cliff sides, gorgeous sandy bays, wooded estuaries and historic harbours. In North Devon the pathway covers some 90 miles and passes through a number of local towns including Barnstaple, Bideford Lynmouth, Lynton and Ilfracombe,
If exploring the rugged landscape by bike appeals, then bikes can be hired from www.exmoorcyclehire.co.uk/ www.tarkabikes.co.uk/ www.bidefordbicyclehire.co.uk/