What We Offer - Example Itineraries

Below is an example of the sort of experience you could have on an experienceDevon tailor made itinerary. It's not a copy of how an actual itinerary will look. This provides a flavour of a holiday to North Devon, England, and the type of authentic and local experiences we offer. This is not an off the shelf itinerary, as yours will be customised to suit you, your interests, lifestyle, and fitness level.

5-day Itinerary – Bideford as the base
Day 1
Orientation and Welcome session with experienceDevon staff – morning coffee in a local café and walking tour of Bideford following the historic town trail. Buy a hot Devon pasty for lunch and take it with you on a one hour's hike along the Torridge Estuary towards Appledore. Here, using our trail guide ,you’ll be able to identify historic lime kilns and docks and see fine views over to Instow and Braunton. You’ll be able to explore the skeletal remains of old wooden ships and look for local wildlife using our binoculars. Arrive at Appledore Village; visit the galleries and Maritime museum then walk around the quaint streets. Have dinner in an excellent fish restaurant where you’ll be entertained by the proprietor then go on to enjoy a folk session at a local pub. Take a bus ride back to Bideford.

Day 2
Bus to the village of Hartland. Hike to historic Hartland Abbey, visit the Abbey and Gardens and stop for an early lunch. Hike down towards the sea, past the setting for the BBC series ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and carry on the coast path until you reach the village of Clovelly (approx 12 miles). You’ll have our Ordinance Survey map with you so you won’t get lost and you’ll be able to enjoy the landscape features and wildlife through our trail guide and pocket book. There’ll be caves to explore, shipwrecks to see, millions of years of geology to be seen in the rock including evidence from the last ice age, a hill fort and you might be blessed with glimpses of wild red deer. You’ll get to the picturesque village of Clovelly with time for a Devonshire cream tea or a pint of ale on the Quay, where you can relax and watch the fishermen at work. Walk back up the cobbled traffic -free, winding street, to the car park at the top of the hill where you can catch the bus back to Bideford for dinner.

Day 3
Take a bus to Great Torrington to visit the town historically known for the last battle of the English civil war. Experience the medieval banter of the 1646 tourist attraction. Learn about the art of glass blowing through a trip around the internationally famous Dartington Glass, have lunch at the Plough Art Centre, taking in the exhibition of a local artists' work. Hike around the town's walls and down the wooded cliff to the river; from here there’s a short road walk to RHS Garden Rosemoor, for lunch and a guided walk of the garden. Visit the gallery and shop. Take a bus back to Torrington for early dinner at a 16th Century Inn, followed by live local folk music and cider. Return to Bideford

Day 4
Spend the morning being creative doing an art workshop with a local artist in their studio and then stay for lunch. Afternoon bird-spotting and walk with local expert Guide and cream tea. Spend the evening at Broomhill Art Hotel where you can have dinner and stay for a North Devon Arts meeting, as a special guest.

Day 5
18 mile return bike ride along the Tarka Trail to Barnstaple, England’s oldest borough. Along the way you’ll be able to enjoy the quaint seaside village of Instow and take lunch at the award winning Fremington Quay café and museum. Visit Barnstaple Heritage Centre and follow the historic town trail. Experience the hustle and bustle of the historic pannier market and Butchers row and have tea in one of the many cafés. Enjoy a well earned fish and chip supper in Bideford on return, or eat out at Instow and then return to Bideford.