Page 45 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 2: Headlands and Coves 43

Above left Windswept headlands of Hartland
4 Great Torrington (signed Bude). At Higher Clovelly, turn Peninsula Above right Docton Mill Gardens
Devon; EX38 8AA right onto B3248 to Hartland, then Below Mill pond at Docton Mill Gardens
It’s a scenic drive beside the River follow signs on minor road through
Torridge to Great Torrington, home Stoke to Hartland Quay; park in car
of Dartington Crystal, where visitors park. Return to Stoke and turn right
can see glass being hand blown down tiny lane to Docton Mill at Milford. EAT AND DRINK
(tours Mon–Fri; visitor centre and shop
daily). At the RHS Rosemoor Gardens, 5 Hartland Peninsula AROUND BIDEFORD
there are areas devoted to roses, fruit North Devon; EX39 6DU Boathouse moderate
and vegetables, a lake and an This blissfully quiet rural pocket is Lively waterside restaurant and bar
arboretum (open daily). The Battle of criss-crossed by narrow country looking across the Torridge Estuary
Torrington – a Royalist rout in the lanes leading to windswept Hartland to Appledore.
English Civil War in 1646 – features Quay, where dramatic cliffs give way Marine Parade, Instow, EX39 4JJ (take
strongly in the small, volunteer-run to a tiny 16th-century harbour with B3233 out of Bideford along the
estuary towards Barnstaple); 01271
Great Torrington Heritage Museum a small shipwreck museum (open 861 292; www.instow.net/boathouse;
(open daily). Easter–Oct, daily). In Stoke, St Nectan’s no reservations
ª From Great Torrington, take B3227 14th-century church is known as the Instow Arms moderate
to Stibb Cross; turn right on minor road cathedral for its 350-m (128-ft) high Upmarket pub fare is served in the
to go through Woolfardisworthy to A39 tower. Nearby are 16th-century first-floor restaurant, and there is also
stately Hartland Abbey (open Apr–Sep, a cosy downstairs bar.
Lundy Island Sun–Thu) and pretty Docton Mill Marine Parade, Instow, EX39 4JJ; 01271
860 608; www.instowarms.com
This car-free island 17 km (11 miles) Gardens & Tea Rooms (open Mar–Sep
off the coast is a sanctuary for puffins daily), where tea is served in a APPLEDORE
with a resident human population of beautiful room or by the mill pond. Beaver Inn moderate
30 – joined in summer by hordes of ª From Docton Mill, take minor road Atmospheric old pub beside the
day-trippers who come to go seal via Edistone and Tosberry to rejoin Torridge Estuary, with panoramic
watching, visit its 13th-century castle views from its terrace. Noted for its
and have a drink at Marisco Tavern. A39 to Bude. Park in canalside Tourist fresh fish dishes.
Information Centre car park. Irsha Street, EX39 1RY; 01237 474 822;
www.beaverinn.co.uk
The Royal George moderate
An old beamed pub with a dining area
overlooking the estuary.
Irsha Street, EX39 1RY; 01237 474 335;
www.trgpub.co.uk
HARTLAND PENINSULA
Docton Mill Gardens Tea Room
inexpensive
Small café in the delightful gardens
serving snacks and award-winning
Devonshire clotted cream teas.
Lymebridge, EX39 6EA; 01237 441 369;
www.doctonmill.co.uk; open Mar–Sep
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

042-047_Back_Roads_Great_Britain.indd 43 20/07/18 7:44 PM