Welcome to the heart of the Blackdown hills.
Highdays and Hideaways is located on the edge of Smeatharpe, in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty approximately half an hour from the north and south Devon coasts, close to Glastonbury, Exmoor and Dartmoor, with Dorset and the Jurassic coast within easy reach.
Click on the map to the right to open google maps to explore our location.
For a rough guide we're about 18mins (9.5 miles) from Honiton and 20 mins (10 miles) from Taunton.
Google maps link for our location (drive entrance)
Things to do
We have the Upottery Heritage Centre on our doorstep showing 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).
On what used to be the airfield there is now Smeatharpe stadium hosting stock car and banger racing as well as a number of track days.
Walking
There are a lot of walks available in the Blackdown hills some places particuarly close to us are the Otterhead Estate nature reserve and Wellington monument but there's lots more to explore.
We are also 45 a mins drive from Exmoor and approximately an hour from Dartmoor if you want to explore further.
Nearby Pubs & places to eat
- The York Inn - our local, great beer and a fantasitic selection of pies.
- The Sidmouth Arms - second closest, lovely pub and good menu.
- The Half Moon Inn - great food and a fantastic view.
- The Otter Inn - a bit further away but a lovely spot by the river Otter.
- The Drewe Arms - A beautiful pub about a 15min drive from us.
- The Holman Clavel - Very friendly local pub
- The Greyhound - Stapel Fitzpayne
Farm Shops & Cafes
- The Grazing Cow - great cafe the other side of Honiton from us with a nice little farm shop.
- Sheppys - Cafe restaurant, shop and brewery, what's not to like!
- Barleymows - Fantastic farm shop and cafe just outside Chard
- Symonsbury estate - Selection of shops (including farm shop) well worth a visit
Coasts
Water based activites
There are lots of oppportunities to get wet with wild swims available accross the region as well as Sailing, Kyaking, Kite Surfing, Paddleboarding and more
Antiques
There are a number of antiques shops in the area, especially on Honiton highstreet, and a couple of stand out locations we'd recommend namely The Antique Village in Clumpton and the Tauton Antiques Collective and neighbouring businesses Pickers Paridise and Savoy Art Deco Collectables.
National Trust
There are a number of National Trust properties near us - we particuarly recommend Fingle Bridge but there are lots to choose from.
