Beaches

Widemouth Bay

  • The closest beach to Glebe House Cottages as the crow flies is Widemouth Bay. The beach is ideal for families, and offers a range of seaside activities including swimming, sunbathing, playing in the sand, surfing, exploring the rock pools as the tide goes out and loads more! (There are lifeguards on duty during the season.) There is plenty of parking and a café in the car park that offer great Cornish Pasties.

Bude

  • Bude is probably the quickest beach to get to using main roads. Following the 2015 British Travel Awards, Bude was named as the ‘Best UK Coastal Resort’.
  • There is a lot to love about Bude. A beautiful unspoiled seaside town, with plenty of restaurants, bistros, pubs & cafés, seaside shops, and fantastic beaches. It even has a Sea Pool, which is a partially man-made tidal swimming pool or lido in the rocks at Summerleaze beach. Ideal for trying out that new wetsuit!
  • Other very close beaches and coastal towns are, Crackington Haven, Boscastle and Tintagel to the south, or Hartland Quay and Hartland point, Croyde, Clovelly, Westward Ho! and Bideford to the north. They are just some of the more popular beaches, there are plenty more to explore.

Jay says:

“You have to visit Bude beach, it’s stunning and the sunset will take your breath away!”

Places To Eat

Molesworth Arms

  • Just a couple of miles down the road in Pyworthy is the Molesworth Arms where you are guaranteed a warm welcome from the owners Kit and Monique, together with amazing food including a pizza oven and a wonderful atmosphere. Booking is advisable as this is very popular.

The Arscott Arms

  • Positioned on the way to Launceston, the Ascott Arms is one of our favourite restaurants in the area. With two homely dining areas with an open fire place and a great beer garden with farm animals, the Arscott arms is great for all ages. The new owners frequently change their menu depending on the season and everything is home made and locally sourced.

Rydon Inn

  • The Rydon Inn pride’s itself on sourcing local ales and beers from local brewers. They offer outstanding home cooked pub food, serving everything from sandwiches to full roast dinners on Sundays; all locally sourced. Situated only 10 minutes from Glebe House Cottages; booking is advisable.

Tennyson Restaurant

  • The Tennyson Restaurant at the Falcon Hotel in Bude offers high-quality food. The ambiance is sophisticated, traditional and elegant with full table and waiter service. There is also a bar restaurant which uses the same menu and offers less formal dining. Both restaurants offer a good selection of champagne cocktails. Again, it is wise to pre-book!

Life’s a Beach

  • “Life’s a Beach” restaurant overlooks Summerleaze in Bude. The wide-ranging menu uses fresh local produce and re-flects the creativity and traveling experiences of the young chefs. Seafood is a specialty and the atmosphere is always relaxed and friendly. Always wise to book!

The Olive Tree

  • The Olive Tree is the perfect place to relax and enjoy alfresco dining beside Bude’s picturesque Canal or inside the spa-cious restaurant and conservatory. The Olive Tree Wine Bar & Restaurant has a good range of fine wines by the glass to accompany their evening menu. The restaurant menus use fresh produce sourced locally around Bude and Cornwall. Always wise to book!

 

The above-mentioned restaurants are just a few of the extremely good places to eat in and around Glebe House Cottages, to suit all palettes and budgets. Many pubs serve food and offer a good range of local beers and ciders.

Sarah says:

“The Arscott Arms is a hidden gem with fabulous home-made food and such friendly service.”

Walks

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path links all the beaches around the Cornwall and Devon coastlines and is just a short drive away from our cottages. You can walk along 630 miles of superb coastline which make up the longest National Trail in the UK. The heritage, wildlife, ge-ology, and scenery along the way are truly inspirational and every day you can discover stunning new experiences.

Dunsdon Wild Walk | Starts: 3 miles north of Holsworthy | Length: 4 miles

Highlights:

  • Orchids and butterflies of DWT Dunsdon nature reserve
  • Walk along the historic Bude Canal
  • Wildflowers and ponds of DWT Vealand Farm nature

Click here for the Dunsdon Wild Walk Guide

Marsland Wild Walk | Starts: 9 miles south of Hartland | Length: 5 miles

Highlights:

  • A spectacular section of the South West Coast Path with views to Lundy
  • Large numbers of butterflies including rare species at DWT Marsland nature reserve
  • Woodland walks through the Marsland Valley on the DWT reserve.

Ruby Country

The rural beauty and tranquility of Ruby Country make it an ideal place to explore on foot. There are many possible routes to follow through breathtaking scenery, with ever-changing wildlife. As the seasons change, watch the wildlife and landscape respond. Walking in Ruby Country gives you space to think, breathe and be at one with yourself.

Ruby Trails

The 8 Ruby Walking Trails available are also available for you to purchase or download. The trails follow way-marked routes starting from Holsworthy, Hatherleigh, Bradworthy, Cookbury, Sheepwash, Petrockstowe, Tetcott, and Germansweek. You can purchase a pack for £2 from Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre.

    Sarah says:

    “Whilst in Devon a trip to the Rectory Tea Rooms is a must for a traditional afternoon tea.”

    Local Attractions

    Rectory Tea Rooms

    • Experience an award-winning Afternoon Tea at Rectory Tea Rooms in Morwenstow, just 12 miles from Glebe House Cottages. Built in the 13th Century the house is filled with character; from the antique furnishings and slate floors to the open fires and original Oak Beams salvaged from the many ships wrecked along the North Cornwall coastline. This afternoon tea experience offers a variety of locally sourced food including homemade scones, cakes, quiche’s, chutneys and delicious soups using century old recipes passed down through the generations; as well as proper Cornish pasties, cheeses, jams, fish (caught fresh from local waters).

    Tamar Lakes

    • Tamar Lakes offer water sports, climbing, archery, fishing, walking & cycling. See website for details.

    Eden Project

    • The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future. The visitor destination in Cornwall, UK, is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stun-ning plants, exhibitions, and stories serve as a backdrop to the striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.

    Rosemoor Gardens

    • Just a 30-minute drive from Glebe House Cottages is RHS Rosemoor. Rosemoor is a 65 acre garden of intoxicating beauty, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides.Whatever the season, the exciting colours, scents, and textures mean that all your senses will be stimulated, and with both formal and informal gardens – as well as woodland walks, water features, and open spaces – there is something for children and adults alike to enjoy time and again.

    The Milky Way

    • The Milky Way theme park has something for all the family. Check their website for details on the attractions, prices and opening times.

    Lost Gardens of Heligan

    • The Lost Gardens of Heligan 200 acres of garden history, mystery, and romance.
      Twenty-five years ago, Heligan’s historic gardens were unknown and unseen; lost under a tangle of weeds. It was only the chance discov-ery of a door in the ruins that led to the restoration of this once great estate. Today, The Lost Gardens have been put back where they belong: in pride of place among the finest gardens in Cornwall.

    St Austell Brewery

    • New Access All Areas Brewery Tours will run every Friday from 2 pm and give you exclusive access to the brewers with the opportunity to soak up the Brewery’s history and learn more about our beer making process directly from the experts. The tour includes over 3 pints worth of samples! See website for details.

    Crealy

    • Crealy Great Adventure Park & Resort offer fun family days out with the kids in Devon with roller coasters, animals, attractions, and fun!

    Atlantic Village

    • Atlantic Village is North Devon’s unique outlet shopping village. With over 30 stores offering up to 50% off rrp every day including Nike, M&S and GAP you’ll find a huge choice of famous name brands at incredible discounts and you’ll be sure to pick up a bargain. Offering free parking, free Wi-Fi and they are open every day. On the same site is the Atlantis Adventure Park, an all-weather attraction for the family which means you can make a whole day of it!