The village of Welcombe lies on the Atlantic Coast just on the Devon side of the North Devon/Cornwall border midway between Bideford and Bude. The parish of Welcombe comprises a scattered group of hamlets incorporating approximately 100 households. The village sits astride a deep valley which leads to a meandering stream to the cliff edge at Welcombe Mouth where it ends in a picturesque waterfall. St Nectan's Church looks over the northern flank of the valley while The Old Smithy Inn lies on the southern side. Some of the people who live in Welcombe commute to neighbouring towns and villages to work on a daily basis, others run businesses from home including the pub, pottery, tourist accommodation, builders and farmers.

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Welcombe is a popular holiday destination and many visitors return year after year. They grow to love the spectacular scenery and peaceful surroundings whilst enjoying the proximity of attractions in both Devon and Cornwall.

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The community is active and dynamic with many social events throughout the year bringing its residents together to celebrate their good fortune at living in such a special place.

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only 5 minutes from the Barns...

Hartland was one of the largest royal manors in the Saxon time of King Alfred. Today the village has a thriving community with shops, schools, three churches, medical centre, dentist, pubs and many skilled craftspeople. The village also has a wide variety of sports, special interest and social clubs and groups.

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only 15 minutes from the Barns...

Set into a steep hillside, Clovelly is one of the most famous villages in the world. The single cobbled high street winds its way down the hillside through traditional whitewashed cottages festooned with fuchsias and geraniums.

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Unusually, the village is privately owned and has been by the same family since 1738. Their policy is to care for Clovelly and keep it in the style of the mid C19th. This involves much quality maintenance using traditional materials and craftmanship. Part of the modest entrance fee contributes to this work. This National Trust-like preservation of the whole village is what provides so much pleasure to its visitors, who treasure the atmosphere, the picturesque charm and the stunning views.

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Traffic is banned from the high street with visitors parking at the top of the hill adjacent to the Visitor Centre. The high street drops through the 16th century cottages to a small harbour and for a small fee, a Land Rover service ferries visitors up and down the steep hill via a back road.

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only 20 minutes from the Barns...

What a wonderful name. It conjures up images of sun, sea, sand and surf. On a narrow strip of land beneath the wooded hillside and golden sands of Bideford Bay, lies this wonderful little seaside resort that has been a popular family holiday destination since Victorian times.

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only 25 minutes from the Barns...

Just north of Bude on the A38, Kilkhampton is a village which dates back to beyond Saxon times. Here the remains of a 12th century motte and bailey style Norman castle can still be seen and the church of St James the Great is at least 450 years old. It is one of many churches dedicated to this saint on a pilgrims' route, which leads ultimately to Santiago (St James) de Compostela in northern Spain. The two pubs, the New Inn and the London Inn, serve food and drink.

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only 20 minutes from the Barns...

Bude has been welcoming visitors since Victorian times. The charm and atmosphere of a traditional seaside resort are retained in harmony with modern services and facilities to satisfy today's discerning visitor.

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The town is situated on the Atlantic Heritage Coast of Cornwall, adjacent to fine sandy beaches, and on the South West Coastal Path. Bude and nearby beaches provide some of the finest surfing to be had in all England; most beaches have lifeguard cover during the Summer months.

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The town has excellent facilities with an interesting selection of shops, a large supermarket, and recreational activities, including a modern indoor heated swimming pool. A few minutes walk from the town centre and you can be exploring the dramatic scenery of the South West Coastal Path, or discovering the famous Bude Canal, an engineering feat of the early 19th century, or walking in some of the most unspoilt rural areas to be found in the South West.

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only 25 minutes from the Barns...

In the 16th century Bideford was Britain's third largest port. It was rumoured that Sir Walter Raleigh landed his first shipment of tobacco there, although this is a myth, as Raleigh was not, contrary to popular belief, the first to bring tobacco to England. In honour of Raleigh, several roads and a hill have been named after him in Bideford.

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Close to the renovated station at East-the-Water is Chudleigh Fort, where a striking view of the Quay can be enjoyed. The fort is the last relic of fortifications built in 1642 by James Chudleigh, an officer of the Barnstaple Garrison.

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Today the narrow town centre streets lead down to a tree-lined quay, which bustles with fishing vessels, cargo and pleasure boats. Clay is the principal export loaded onto boats at Bideford. The quay was refurbished, with completion in 2006, to provide flood defences and incorporates a large tide regulated fountain and brand new terminal building for the Lundy Ferry.

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only 30 minutes from the Barns...

Barnstaple, a pleasant town nestling in the valley of the River Taw, seven miles from the mouth of the river, has many claims to distinction: it is now and has been from time immemorial, the administrative, commercial and agricultural centre of North Devon. It was the first town with Borough status in the country to celebrate its 1000 year anniversary. It should be appreciated that these facts are not only of historical, but also, of sociological and aesthetic importance for they have influenced the way the town has grown and developed, to no small extent and is certainly responsible, in part to Barnstaple's unique character.

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This progressive town has many attractions amongst which are its unique character, its indefinable air of age and dignity combined with all that is best of our modern world - a delicate blending of history and progress and of tradition and improvement. Over the years those responsible for the town have endeavoured to provide all the amenities which are to be expected on entering a new millennium, resulting in the town being well provided with leisure and recreational facilities. Its position makes Barnstaple the shopping centre for the whole of North Devon and its major shopping areas combine a blend of national stores and local family businesses.

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Green Lanes, a large modern shopping mall, adjoins the High Street. Additionally, the out - of - town shopping areas continue to expand, all this enterprise showing that Barnstaple is at the centre of a thriving, vibrant economy.

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A most significant factor in the town's development is its position as the centre of a great tourist industry. The town is the centre of North Devon with roads from it leading to Ilfracombe, Lynton, Taunton, Tiverton, Exeter and Bideford. In spite of its important position the town remains largely unspoilt, is one of the most delightful country towns in England and deservedly popular as a place of residence.

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only 45 minutes from the Barns...

Boscastle is a medieval harbour and village hidden in a steep sided valley. This natural harbour on the North Cornwall coastline was created by the confluence of three rivers. Boscastle is an excellent base for touring the area, all of Cornwall or North Devon, including moorlands, sheltered wooded valleys and coastal footpaths offering magnificent views.

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From the harbour the visitor can explore the beautiful surrounding area with its ancient woods, the old village of Boscastle with cottages dating back to the 15th Century, the site of the Norman Castle and the medieval strip farming system which is still in operation on the cliff top. And there is much, much more, not least the stunning coastal views.

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only 45 minutes from the Barns...

Tintagel, home to Tintagel Castle sits high above the seas, a most evocative place to visit and soak up the atmosphere generated by the dramatic views and wonderful legends. Tintagel is famous for its connection with the Arthurian legends, King Arthur was said to be born on Tintagel Island where the remains of the 13th-century castle stand today. Below the castle on the Castle Beach is Merlin’s cave, which is accessible at low tide. Much of the spectacular cliffs either side of the castle are owned by the National Trust. Within the village of Tintagel you will find numerous shops, cafes and pubs. There is also the Old Post Office, which is owned by the National Trust, King Arthur’s Great Halls which house some magnificent stained glass windows, a rock and fossil museum and a toy museum. Your first port of call on arriving at Tintagel should be the visitor centre situated at the start of the village on the road towards Boscastle. Here you will be able to gather a wealth of information about the area so that you can make the most of your visit.

Near to Tintagel is the stunning beach at Trebarwith strand, if you go there at high tide there appears to be no beach but return again at low tide and you’re in for a real treat.

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only 50 minutes from the Barns...

Tavistock has always been a market town, and the Market Hall is today a bustling focus for trade. The town is a shoppers paradise especially at world famous Creeber's for specialist food and local produce.

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The town has character and charm and has not succumbed to the pressures which have produced so many unifrom town centres.

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A pleasant riverside walk for example brings you to the Meadows an area offering a range of recreational activities, with a swimming bath and a bit of open space.

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only 1 hour from the Barns...

Situated in the heart of rural Devon, on the shoulder of Dartmoor’s heights, Okehampton offers a wealth of wildly differing landscapes. Rising dramatically behind Okehampton lie the highest peaks of Dartmoor with Yes Tor at over 600m. These hills topped with striking, weathered granite tors, surrounded by clitter seem almost shaped by human hand, but are in fact the stumped remains of mountains millions of years past.

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only 1 hour from the Barns...

Padstow is situated on the West side of the Camel estuary in North Cornwall. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty with wonderful bays and beautiful golden beaches. The town itself has a colourful and ancient history. Old crooked streets slope down to the harbour where many fine medieval buildings can still be seen. Today Padstow remains a working fishing port whose produce has been made famous by Rick Stein's television series and acclaimed Seafood Restaurant.

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only 1h15 mins from the Barns...

Ilfracombe is an historic Victorian seaside resort, famous for its Tunnels Beach, deep harbour and has a Museum with curious local and natural history. Experience Devon’s tailor made holiday itineraries take you off the beaten path to experience Ilfracombe’s authentic history and heritage.

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only 1h15 mins from the Barns...