Why visit the Blackdown Hills?

Beautiful scenery, stunning walks, historic monuments, glorious beaches, interesting gardens and fun family attractions.

A wide view of a lush green countryside landscape with trees and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

The Blackdown Hills and surrounding area (we are close to the borders of Somerset, Devon and Dorset) has something for everyone and so much to offer, many of our guests wish they’d booked a longer stay.

Things to do

We’ve identified a selection of attractions/activities within a 30-40 minute radius but there are many more options if you do a Google search.

AIRBORNE SPORTS

Dunkeswell Aerodrome - if skydiving is on your bucket list, where better to give it a go than the highest licensed aerodrome in the UK! Also on offer are experiences in wingwalking, light aircraft flying, and aerobatics.

ANTIQUES

The South West is a treasure hunters paradise with huge variety of antique shops and salvage yards. We particularly enjoy:

The Antique Village in Hele, Devon - a large multi-dealer antiques centre selling antiques, vintage, retro and salvage, plus there’s a cafe to refresh you once you’re antiqued-out.

Taunton Antiques Collective - on a trading estate just outside Taunton, as the name suggests, a collection of antiques dealers have co-located comprising: Stuff N Nonsense, Pickers Paradise, Savoy Art Deco Collectables and Dan’s Emporium.

Fuller Stuff - a huge shed filled with furniture and a very friendly/amusing proprietor who is always up for a barter (only open on Saturdays 9am - 3pm).

Decorative wooden dresser with brass lock, figurines of seated and lying dogs, a clock, and various artwork and figurines on top.
A person tandem skydiving with a black and white parachute over a flat grassy field with a few buildings in the distance and a blue sky with scattered clouds.

BEACHES

The glorious south Devon coast is a short drive from us. Our closest beaches are Sidmouth, Branscombe, Beer, Seaton and Lyme Regis; all about 35-40 minutes drive away.  

The majority of the beaches are pebble (swim shoes recommended if you decide to take a dip) with the exception of Lyme Regis that has an area of sandy beach near the harbour.

Slightly further away - and somewhere we love - is Budleigh Salterton which has a long sweeping beach and large car park so is great on busier days. There are also interesting independent shops to browse in the high street.

Also within easy reach are:

North Devon Coast - An area of the north Devon coast we love for walking is Valley of Rocks near Lynton, the scenery is absolutely stunning and there’s a fab cafe too!

Jurassic Coast - A fossil hunters paradise and some great beaches as well.

A view of a sandy beach with some grass and rocks along the shoreline, extending toward the ocean with gentle waves. The sky is partly cloudy with blue sky visible.
A scenic coastal landscape featuring a cliff with trees, a sandy beach, calm ocean water, and a bright sun in a clear blue sky.

ON OUR DOORSTEP

Upottery Heritage Centre - located just across the road from us, it shows the local history of the American airmen who were stationed in the area for the D day invasion. Well worth a visit, it's open from Good Friday to the last Sunday in October (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am - 4pm).

Smeatharpe stadium - on what used to be the airfield - hosts stock car and banger racing as well as a number of track days.

Walking - The Blackdown Hills was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1991 and as such it is possible to find lovely countryside and beautiful views simply by picking up the OS map in your cottage and setting off.

If you prefer to have walks mapped out for you there are a variety of options online on the Blackdown Hills AONB page. Some local areas we enjoy are:

A landscape scene with a bright blue sky, a large tree with bare branches on the left, smaller trees with sparse leaves in the distance, a grassy green field, and a small stream with a wooden bridge in the foreground, partially shaded by trees.
A winding country road runs through rolling green hills with trees and fields, under a mostly clear blue sky with the sun shining.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Crealy Themepark and Resort - comprises over 60 rides and attractions, both outdoor and indoor; something for all the family, whatever the weather.

Diggerland Devon - where children and adults can ride, drive and operate real diggers, dumpers and other full sized construction machinery. This theme park is mainly aimed at ages 4-14 but adults have lots of fun there too!

Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary - a popular, free-entry international animal welfare charity (founded 1969) providing a secure home for hundreds of rescued donkeys. Open 365 days a year, it offers close-up encounters, scenic walking trails, a cafe, and a gift shop, situated on the stunning Jurassic Coast.

Stoke Wood Alpacas - meet and mingle with friendly alpacas, you can even take them for a walk. Advance booking is strongly advised.

Vivary High Ropes - a range of activities for everyone to enjoy. There are lower, less intense ropes to start off with, then you can graduate onto the climbing wall, high ropes, totem pole and the power fan descender, alongside a number of other activities.

Wildwood Devon - 45 acres of parkland and woodland, featuring threatened and locally extinct native species such as the iconic red squirrel. Wildwood is the perfect day out, offering wildlife, a magnificent beech hedge maze, indoor soft play, outdoor adventure play and an authentic Saxon Village. 

Wookey Hole - a full family day out largely centred around exploring the history, geology and legends of the Wookey Hole caves but also comprising adventure golf, a mill and museum, a circus and 4D cinema.

A large yellow excavator with a circular arm that extends upward, lifting a ride labeled 'DIGGERLAND' with children sitting inside, at an amusement park or playground.
People enjoying the ropes course and elevated obstacles at an outdoor adventure park under a clear blue sky with some clouds and a bird flying overhead.
Two alpacas, one black and one white, grazing on grass in a sunny outdoor setting with bushes and trees in the background.

CRAFTS

Coates English Willow Visitor Centre - if you love a basket and are interested in willow weaving, the centre offers tours which include all aspects of willow growing, processing and basket making. There is also a museum and the opportunity to enjoy a tranquil willow walk through the withy beds and along the river Tone. Workshops are available to pre-book.

GARDENS

Burrow Farm Gardens - voted The Nations Favourite Public Garden in November 2021, this 13 acre garden displays a variety of planting styles and has colour throughout the year. There is also a tea room and nursery with expert staff to help you choose the right plant for your garden.

Hestercombe House and Gardens - Ranging across 50 acres, Hestercombe comprises a unique collection of gardens which span three centuries of garden history and design. The Formal Garden is hailed as one of the finest examples of the world-renowned partnership between garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

NATIONAL TRUST

The closest National Trust houses are Barrington Court, Knightshayes and Killerton but there are many more NT gardens, beaches, monuments and other attractions within around a 20 mile radius; we particularly enjoy A la Rhonde near Exmouth. 

We also love Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge near Exeter (but they are about an hours drive away).

A historic stone castle with a flag on top, set against a bright, partly cloudy sky with the sun shining through. There are a few visitors near the entrance, and a large open gravel area in the foreground.

TOWNS/CITIES

Exeter - a vibrant city with a long and rich history (predating the arrival of the romans in AD50). Popular attractions include the unique Underground Passages, the magnificent Cathedral, Red Coat Guided Tours and the pretty quayside with a selection of independent shops and bars/restaurants.

Honiton - a pretty market town with a bustling high street and many independent shops (including multiple antique shops). Honiton was made famous by lace and pottery. If you are interested in lace, there is an extensive display, along with lace-making demonstrations, at Allhallows Museum.

Taunton - as well as a mixture of high street and boutique shops and restaurants, the town’s attractions include: West Somerset Railway - the longest heritage railway in England, The Museum of Somerset which is housed in the 12th Century great hall of Taunton Castle, and Taunton Minster Church of St Mary Magdalene which boasts the tallest tower in Somerset.

Nighttime view of buildings illuminated with lights, reflected on a calm body of water, with trees and a dark sky overhead.
A park scene with blooming cherry blossom trees, tall evergreens, and a clear blue sky. A stone pathway runs alongside a small river or pond, with greenery and a fence in the background.

SPA

If you are looking for complete R&R during your stay, we recommend Elements Spa which is around a 40 minute drive away, set in the picturesque Somerset Levels. As well as sauna, steam room, hot tubs and a full menu of treatments, the views across the Levels are guaranteed to recharge your batteries.

Indoor hot tub with open window showing a view of a cloudy sky, trees, and green fields outside.

WATER SPORTS

River - Centre for Outdoor Activity and Community Hub in French Weir Park, Taunton - for Kayaking, Paddleboarding or canoeing. Every weekend from April to September you can either book lessons or hire their equipment and go out alone along the river Tone.

Lake - Wimbleball Lake, Dulverton - based in Exmoor National Park, this spectacular lake hosts both water and land based activities including Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, sailing, archery, high ropes, walking and cycling. You can hire equipment or self-launch, plus there are instructor-led sessions.

Sea - Jurassic Paddle Sports, Sidmouth Beach - Kayak, Paddleboard, Bodyboard and Surfboard hire.

Sea - Lyme Kayak Hire - Kayak and Paddleboard hire in Lyme Regis.

View from a paddleboard on a body of water with a wrist leash attached, green hills with trees and fields in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A person paddleboarding on a calm river, with cows grazing on green hills under a partly cloudy sky.