Fran's Guidebook
Food scene
Places we'd reccomend to eat or buy food based on our experiences.
Book ahead of your stay….for sublime food, moments from us. Adventurous types could take a change of shoes and walk it! The food critic Grace Dent shed a tear, and we haven’t bothered with any other Restaurants for our bi-annual night out! Evening fine dining, not really one for the kids. They also do Sunday lunch though, and check out the shop and cafe.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coombeshead Farm
Book ahead of your stay….for sublime food, moments from us. Adventurous types could take a change of shoes and walk it! The food critic Grace Dent shed a tear, and we haven’t bothered with any other Restaurants for our bi-annual night out! Evening fine dining, not really one for the kids. They also do Sunday lunch though, and check out the shop and cafe.
Nice staff and food - particularly breakfasts- in a spectacular spot. Eat outside and enjoy Views to Dartmoor. Tie it in with a walk exploring Caradon Hill. With added pigs!
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trevallick farm shop
Nice staff and food - particularly breakfasts- in a spectacular spot. Eat outside and enjoy Views to Dartmoor. Tie it in with a walk exploring Caradon Hill. With added pigs!
Great BBQ food! Combine with a stroll along Golitha falls. But double check opening hours - it’s not open everyday.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Inkie's Smokehouse
Great BBQ food! Combine with a stroll along Golitha falls. But double check opening hours - it’s not open everyday.
Lovely gastro pub, good service, good food. Public bar still feels like a proper pub too.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rising Sun Inn
Lovely gastro pub, good service, good food. Public bar still feels like a proper pub too.
Very nice gastro pub not too far away!
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Springer Spaniel
Very nice gastro pub not too far away!
This was a favourite when we first moved down, great for lunch if we found ourselves in Tavistock. Now it’s notched up to fabulous, would heartily reccomend if you fancy investigating Tavistock while you are with us.
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Cornish Arms
15 West StThis was a favourite when we first moved down, great for lunch if we found ourselves in Tavistock. Now it’s notched up to fabulous, would heartily reccomend if you fancy investigating Tavistock while you are with us.
Eliot Arms Square and Compass
Good standard pub grub.
High quality pub grub, some dishes veer towards gastro, but very much a proper pub, hasn’t been ‘done’.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Manor House Inn
High quality pub grub, some dishes veer towards gastro, but very much a proper pub, hasn’t been ‘done’.
If you are a carnivore, you should check out Warren’s. It’s a brilliant butchers - more like a showroom than a shop! They supply some of the finest restaurants in the country. They also do great lunchtime takeaway for pasties, pork baps etc
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Philip Warren & Son
2 Pennygillam WayIf you are a carnivore, you should check out Warren’s. It’s a brilliant butchers - more like a showroom than a shop! They supply some of the finest restaurants in the country. They also do great lunchtime takeaway for pasties, pork baps etc
Sightseeing
A gentle stroll of a walk ideal for little ones. Has a magical feel… under the trees so a good wet weather walk… or on a scorcher when you can paddle at the waters edge in dappled shade.
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve
15 Well LnA gentle stroll of a walk ideal for little ones. Has a magical feel… under the trees so a good wet weather walk… or on a scorcher when you can paddle at the waters edge in dappled shade.
It’s the stuff of legend AND it’s spectacular scenery. Castle ruins improbably perched above the sea. An amazing bridge linking it to the mainland kicks off your visit. An interesting and memorable way to get your kids to do a fairly challenging walk!
Tintagel Visitors Centre
Bossiney RoadIt’s the stuff of legend AND it’s spectacular scenery. Castle ruins improbably perched above the sea. An amazing bridge linking it to the mainland kicks off your visit. An interesting and memorable way to get your kids to do a fairly challenging walk!
It’s the closest and quickest beach for us to get to. It would be my go to beach if you have young children, but want to avoid all the normal seaside trappings - arcades etc and crowds. The car park is right by the beach, there are a couple of cafes and a pub. And public toilets. It’s quite compact so if there a small person toilet based emergency you won’t be more than 5 minutes walk from them! It’s not a huge beach - when the tides in it’s a little stretch of pebbles, but when it’s out there’s tonnes of sand to run out on. And it’s never crazily busy - even when everyone was flocking to Cornwall between lockdowns it wasn’t rammed. It’s flanked by lots of rocks for clambering on and rock pooling. The cabin cafe do an amazing pork baguette with crackling and their homemade green bean pickle - and we can’t visit without picking up a piece of their tiffin or two! If you like a cliff walk there is a lovely little circuit along the coast path and back through some woods going west turning inland again at Strangles beach.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Crackington Beach
It’s the closest and quickest beach for us to get to. It would be my go to beach if you have young children, but want to avoid all the normal seaside trappings - arcades etc and crowds. The car park is right by the beach, there are a couple of cafes and a pub. And public toilets. It’s quite compact so if there a small person toilet based emergency you won’t be more than 5 minutes walk from them! It’s not a huge beach - when the tides in it’s a little stretch of pebbles, but when it’s out there’s tonnes of sand to run out on. And it’s never crazily busy - even when everyone was flocking to Cornwall between lockdowns it wasn’t rammed. It’s flanked by lots of rocks for clambering on and rock pooling. The cabin cafe do an amazing pork baguette with crackling and their homemade green bean pickle - and we can’t visit without picking up a piece of their tiffin or two! If you like a cliff walk there is a lovely little circuit along the coast path and back through some woods going west turning inland again at Strangles beach.
Crooklets at Bude is great - nice big beach but also all the stuff of seaside town on hand - a short walk over the dunes into Bude. Rosie’s cafe - a American diner-ish place is at Crooklets and it’s got a sandy playground outside and good food in enormous portions! Summerleaze at Bude is good too (it’s all one beach when the tide is out) - and more in the thick of it for other stuff - crazy golf/nose in shops etc. There is a sea pool on the rocks between the two beaches.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Crooklets
South West Coast PathCrooklets at Bude is great - nice big beach but also all the stuff of seaside town on hand - a short walk over the dunes into Bude. Rosie’s cafe - a American diner-ish place is at Crooklets and it’s got a sandy playground outside and good food in enormous portions! Summerleaze at Bude is good too (it’s all one beach when the tide is out) - and more in the thick of it for other stuff - crazy golf/nose in shops etc. There is a sea pool on the rocks between the two beaches.
Build a clamber up Sharp tor into a bigger hike across the moor… or make it a little scramble up with the kids. Type Sharptor into Google maps, and it will take you through Henwood, fork right just outside the village and wiggle uo past a couple of farms to a bit of off road parking for a handful of cars as close as you can get, and then it’s a 20-30 minute walk and scramble up. Beautiful views - on a clear day you can see both coasts. The painting in bedroom 1 is sharptor… it’s one of my favourite places!
Sharptor
Build a clamber up Sharp tor into a bigger hike across the moor… or make it a little scramble up with the kids. Type Sharptor into Google maps, and it will take you through Henwood, fork right just outside the village and wiggle uo past a couple of farms to a bit of off road parking for a handful of cars as close as you can get, and then it’s a 20-30 minute walk and scramble up. Beautiful views - on a clear day you can see both coasts. The painting in bedroom 1 is sharptor… it’s one of my favourite places!
Minions is a village about 15/20 minutes drive away up on the moor. There is a pub (possibly still closed at present), a village shop and a tea room, and plenty of parking, because from Minions you can walk a shortish distance (15/20 mins) across the moor up to the Cheeswring, a stack of massive rocks that look like they have been balanced… but the weather just eroded them that way. It’s a spectacular spot with lots of other interesting places close at hand - two stone circles, a quarry, a myriad of paths across the Moor, taking in old engine houses. You can walk from the quarry below the cheeswring, along the old railway line to the base of sharptor.
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Minions
Minions is a village about 15/20 minutes drive away up on the moor. There is a pub (possibly still closed at present), a village shop and a tea room, and plenty of parking, because from Minions you can walk a shortish distance (15/20 mins) across the moor up to the Cheeswring, a stack of massive rocks that look like they have been balanced… but the weather just eroded them that way. It’s a spectacular spot with lots of other interesting places close at hand - two stone circles, a quarry, a myriad of paths across the Moor, taking in old engine houses. You can walk from the quarry below the cheeswring, along the old railway line to the base of sharptor.
Lanhydrock has so much going on for all ages. It’s a spectacular stately home with amazing gardens. Oodles of the Robartes history and lavish Victorian decor and the most wonderful just pre- electric kitchens. The gardens are great for hide and seek, there are loads of fab walks around the estate, bike trails and a v fun bike course with ramps/jumps and balancey bits. There are a couple of cafes with a really good playground next to one of them.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lanhydrock
Lanhydrock has so much going on for all ages. It’s a spectacular stately home with amazing gardens. Oodles of the Robartes history and lavish Victorian decor and the most wonderful just pre- electric kitchens. The gardens are great for hide and seek, there are loads of fab walks around the estate, bike trails and a v fun bike course with ramps/jumps and balancey bits. There are a couple of cafes with a really good playground next to one of them.
It’s a little gem of a beach if you like a bit of adventure. There is field car park at the top of the cliff next to a tea room and crazy golf. The path down is a fair leg stretch, steep and somewhat scrambley with a rope to help you climb down towards the end. Which just adds to the fun! Pack light for the day but do pack food and drink, the tea rooms are a long way from the beach. Also mind the tides particularly for this one as the beach totally disappears when the tide is in. Not the most convenient of beaches, but generally not too busy as a result and very beautiful with some great caves.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bossiney Haven (Cove)
It’s a little gem of a beach if you like a bit of adventure. There is field car park at the top of the cliff next to a tea room and crazy golf. The path down is a fair leg stretch, steep and somewhat scrambley with a rope to help you climb down towards the end. Which just adds to the fun! Pack light for the day but do pack food and drink, the tea rooms are a long way from the beach. Also mind the tides particularly for this one as the beach totally disappears when the tide is in. Not the most convenient of beaches, but generally not too busy as a result and very beautiful with some great caves.
To quote the National trust website ‘An atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, a mill on a historic quay, a glorious garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore
Check out their website for more info! They’ll cover practicalities/history/ facilities better than I would. I would add - the mill isn’t at the quay - it’s a lovely leg stretch walk away by the water - interested parties should look out for fairy doors in trees along the way. There is a mini museum with interactive exhibits about the industrial past of the estate at the quay, and there are often baking or milling demonstrations at the Mill. Also local craft workshops at the latter.
99 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Cotehele
To quote the National trust website ‘An atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, a mill on a historic quay, a glorious garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore
Check out their website for more info! They’ll cover practicalities/history/ facilities better than I would. I would add - the mill isn’t at the quay - it’s a lovely leg stretch walk away by the water - interested parties should look out for fairy doors in trees along the way. There is a mini museum with interactive exhibits about the industrial past of the estate at the quay, and there are often baking or milling demonstrations at the Mill. Also local craft workshops at the latter.
A really brilliant theatrical, immersive version of a jail museum experience…. Lights camera action sound…. Layered use of film that feels like you are looking at a hologram and storytelling around a handful of ex inmates in ‘the dark walk’ as well as more conventional peering into the actual cells and plaques etc. Doing it all with a guided tour is even better, there is a less graphic/gruesome version of this on a Saturday morning. We’ll have to wait for Frank to grow up a bit to get all the gory details! The bulk of the Jail has been turned into a very nice hotel, and the restaurant is good, combine lunch into your visit in the courtyard. NB at time of writing parking is an issue - the council car park next to it is shut, park on the street or there is a car park a little further away for the camel trail.
95 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cárcel de Bodmin
Berrycoombe RoadA really brilliant theatrical, immersive version of a jail museum experience…. Lights camera action sound…. Layered use of film that feels like you are looking at a hologram and storytelling around a handful of ex inmates in ‘the dark walk’ as well as more conventional peering into the actual cells and plaques etc. Doing it all with a guided tour is even better, there is a less graphic/gruesome version of this on a Saturday morning. We’ll have to wait for Frank to grow up a bit to get all the gory details! The bulk of the Jail has been turned into a very nice hotel, and the restaurant is good, combine lunch into your visit in the courtyard. NB at time of writing parking is an issue - the council car park next to it is shut, park on the street or there is a car park a little further away for the camel trail.
A day out with the kids… or not! Have seen lots of apparently child-free folk wandering round out of season. There is a house full of clues and conundrums to solve… think panic room lite meets Alice in Wonderland…. A hedge maze, various treasure trails, a miniature train, a hobbit town by a different name… all in a prettily planted and landscaped setting. A very gentle alternative to a theme park day with the kids.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Valle Oculto
A day out with the kids… or not! Have seen lots of apparently child-free folk wandering round out of season. There is a house full of clues and conundrums to solve… think panic room lite meets Alice in Wonderland…. A hedge maze, various treasure trails, a miniature train, a hobbit town by a different name… all in a prettily planted and landscaped setting. A very gentle alternative to a theme park day with the kids.
Launceston Castle is worth a quick look, with spectacular views from the top - you can see why it’s there! Launceston is quiet and pleasant with quite a few nice little independent shops.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Launceston Castle
Castle DykeLaunceston Castle is worth a quick look, with spectacular views from the top - you can see why it’s there! Launceston is quiet and pleasant with quite a few nice little independent shops.
A lovely place to visit if you like marching along ramparts and finding dungeoney corners. V close to Lostwithiel, which is full of antique shops if memory serves me right! Also nearby, Duchy nurseries, a v upmarket garden centre experience 😊
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restormel Castle
Restormel RoadA lovely place to visit if you like marching along ramparts and finding dungeoney corners. V close to Lostwithiel, which is full of antique shops if memory serves me right! Also nearby, Duchy nurseries, a v upmarket garden centre experience 😊
Neighbourhoods
I’ve drawn a simplistic map to wander out the door with. If you look at the OS you can walk to north Hill or Lewannick across fields and/or quiet lanes but there will be a short burst on the main road which has put us off doing this in recent years, with Frank. But time was we’d March off to North Hill, take a hike up the Moor, stop off at the pub on the way back and then meander home.
The triangle - a short stroll Ali g the lanes to acquaint yourself with where you are. End of the lane, round the triangle and back. Stop off at the garden nursery sometime in your stay. It’s not your normal garden centre! If you are green fingered you’ll love it and if you have little ones there is a rather wild garden to explore!
Coads green loop - extend your lanes loop via Lanoy… nice views across the valley from here. Stop of in Coads green at the playground if you have interested parties… and loop back down the steep hill.
Ruse’s Mill
Turn left at the apex of the triangle, down the ‘not suitable for motor vehicles’ lane. It’s steep! The mill is at the bottom of the valley, and we spent a lot of lock down time skimming stones at the waters edge and picnicking on the bridge. It’s lovely tranquil spot, but bear in mind getting back uphill again! Frank was good for it from age 4, scooting or cycling to halfway down the mill lane, then abandoning his wheels and walking the rest down/up.
The Big loop - I’d strongly recommend taking the OS map to see you right across the fields. It’s a steep up and down walk so good for fitness - and sturdy kids. Have sensible waterproof footwear as even in high summer it tends to be boggy in the valley/wet through the fields etc… all that said, it’s a lovely little trek, up and down the valley, through fields, villages and woods. I’ve taken a pic of a right turn that we struggled to find halfway along the big loop - you come down a very, very steep track into the valley (walk in the verge, the tarmac is slippy) and there is a house right at the bottom. The path turns BEFORE the house, and the yellow arrow is often overgrown. See pic!
Illand
I’ve drawn a simplistic map to wander out the door with. If you look at the OS you can walk to north Hill or Lewannick across fields and/or quiet lanes but there will be a short burst on the main road which has put us off doing this in recent years, with Frank. But time was we’d March off to North Hill, take a hike up the Moor, stop off at the pub on the way back and then meander home.
The triangle - a short stroll Ali g the lanes to acquaint yourself with where you are. End of the lane, round the triangle and back. Stop off at the garden nursery sometime in your stay. It’s not your normal garden centre! If you are green fingered you’ll love it and if you have little ones there is a rather wild garden to explore!
Coads green loop - extend your lanes loop via Lanoy… nice views across the valley from here. Stop of in Coads green at the playground if you have interested parties… and loop back down the steep hill.
Ruse’s Mill
Turn left at the apex of the triangle, down the ‘not suitable for motor vehicles’ lane. It’s steep! The mill is at the bottom of the valley, and we spent a lot of lock down time skimming stones at the waters edge and picnicking on the bridge. It’s lovely tranquil spot, but bear in mind getting back uphill again! Frank was good for it from age 4, scooting or cycling to halfway down the mill lane, then abandoning his wheels and walking the rest down/up.
The Big loop - I’d strongly recommend taking the OS map to see you right across the fields. It’s a steep up and down walk so good for fitness - and sturdy kids. Have sensible waterproof footwear as even in high summer it tends to be boggy in the valley/wet through the fields etc… all that said, it’s a lovely little trek, up and down the valley, through fields, villages and woods. I’ve taken a pic of a right turn that we struggled to find halfway along the big loop - you come down a very, very steep track into the valley (walk in the verge, the tarmac is slippy) and there is a house right at the bottom. The path turns BEFORE the house, and the yellow arrow is often overgrown. See pic!
Calstock - the whole village, though the Arts centre is supposed to be great!
A beautiful village with an arty/boho vibe clinging to the side of the Tamar valley under the picturesque arches of a viaduct (that carries a branch line to Plymouth) A very chilled place to lose a few hours - there isn’t loads to do exactly but it’s a great place to just be, with or without kids.
Park behind the village hall by the river, set the kids loose in the ship playground, get some refreshments from the Tamar Inn or the excellent Valenti’s Ice cream parlour and grab a bench - check underneath for an ugly duck. There is often live music, a boat race or some sort of happening here by the quay at weekends in the summer months. It’s not a shopping destination but the galleries and craft shops in the village are lovely (Lime Kiln Gallery; Salmagundi)
We always take a short stroll alongside the river out of the village under the viaduct, past the boatyard and turn the corner at a rather fabulous 20’s property, carry on down the main lane and peer in to the little turquoise pottery (honesty) shop (take some cash in case!) Continue uphill the other side of the water from there and you are on the path up to Cothele (national trust house and grounds) or along to its Quayside/around the estate to make a bigger walk or day out for grown ups and bigger kids. Back where you parked in Calstock there is a riverside football pitch (take a ball) or walk along the river bank in the other direction.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calstock Arts
Sand LaneCalstock - the whole village, though the Arts centre is supposed to be great!
A beautiful village with an arty/boho vibe clinging to the side of the Tamar valley under the picturesque arches of a viaduct (that carries a branch line to Plymouth) A very chilled place to lose a few hours - there isn’t loads to do exactly but it’s a great place to just be, with or without kids.
Park behind the village hall by the river, set the kids loose in the ship playground, get some refreshments from the Tamar Inn or the excellent Valenti’s Ice cream parlour and grab a bench - check underneath for an ugly duck. There is often live music, a boat race or some sort of happening here by the quay at weekends in the summer months. It’s not a shopping destination but the galleries and craft shops in the village are lovely (Lime Kiln Gallery; Salmagundi)
We always take a short stroll alongside the river out of the village under the viaduct, past the boatyard and turn the corner at a rather fabulous 20’s property, carry on down the main lane and peer in to the little turquoise pottery (honesty) shop (take some cash in case!) Continue uphill the other side of the water from there and you are on the path up to Cothele (national trust house and grounds) or along to its Quayside/around the estate to make a bigger walk or day out for grown ups and bigger kids. Back where you parked in Calstock there is a riverside football pitch (take a ball) or walk along the river bank in the other direction.
Consejos para la ciudad
Viajar con niños
Playgrounds nearby: Coads Green
A half hour walk to and from Black barn, or a 5 minute drive, park next to the village hall. Toddler swings, small climbing frame and slide, bouncy animals, balance/climbing/monkey bars course, normal swings and net swing. A ‘mound’ for running up and down, and plenty of dog free space to run around - football posts. Views across to the range of Tors.
Viajar con niños
Playgrounds nearby: Lewannick
5 minutes drive. Park behind village hall. Separate toddler playground with swings, climbing, tractor and bouncy animals. Older kids playground with climbing mound with a big slide, zip line, net swing, ordinary swing, climbing roundabout
Viajar con niños
Playgrounds nearby: North Hill
10 mins drive, park next to the village hall. Separate toddler area, with swings, mini climbing, spinny seat… and for the older kids, a trampoline, zip line, tyre swings, net swing, tunnel and mound with slide, roundabout and a big field to run in.