This is a 5 day tour to North Devon,
staying at Royal Hotel, Bideford (Brend Hotels), North Devon
Enjoy Regency charm on the riverside at Bideford's finest hotel, The Royal Hotel, part of the Brend Hotels Group. Standing proudly by Bideford Bridge, with glorious views over the River Torridge, this unique hotel is the perfect setting for a holiday. Situated just seconds from the Tarka Trail and with lnstow beach, Westward Ho!, and the coast path just a stone's throw away, there are plenty of things to see and do.
Included in your holiday price:
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En-suite room
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Breakfast & 3 course, 3 choice evening meals
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Executive coach travel throughout
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Exmoor Cliffs & Waterfalls Cruise
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Visits to Barnstaple and Ilfracombe
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Entrance to RHS Garden Rosemoor, with a guided tour and cream tea
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Entrance to Hartland Abbey House, Gardens, Grounds and Exhibitions
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Porterage (depends on Covid 19 restrictions at hotel at the time of travel)
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Door to door transfer (within 20 miles of Hailsham)
- a charge may apply if not within our free pick up area.
5 day break to North Devon, staying at the Royal Hotel, Bideford, North Devon
Day 1
We depart for North Devon, making comfort stops en-route including a suitable lunch stop. Arriving at the Royal Hotel late afternoon.
Day 2
This morning we take you to into Barnstaple for some free time. Barnstaple has a partly pedestrianised centre and features many fine buildings and attractive narrow streets and alleys. The oldest surviving part of town is the Norman mound and remnants of the original Norman castle wall can still be seen. There is also the ornate Queen Anne's Walk and the 13th century Long Bridge.
After Barnstaple, we head over to Ifracombe, where we take you for an Exmoor Cliffs & Waterfalls Cruise. This spectacular cruise, with the dramatic views of some of the highest cliffs in England and impressive headlands of the Exmoor National Park, home to many nesting birds. We also encounter all the treats of the Smugglers Caves, including the famous Silver mines and Watermouth Castle.
Day 3
Today we make our way over to RHS Garden Rosemoor, nestled in a Devon valley, Rosemoor blends formal and informal plantings to magical effect. Our group visit will include a private garden tour and a cream tea.
Day 4
This morning we take you for a guided tour of the House at Hartland Abbey, with entrance to the house, exhibitions, gardens, beach walk & grounds. This award winning stately home has fascinating collections of pictures, furniture and porcelain, as well as being a popular filming location for TV dramas.
We then return to Bideford and have some free time to wander/explore Bideford. Author Charles Kingsley lived here and based his novel Westward Ho! in this area of North Devon. The town of Westward Ho! takes its name from the novel - the only town in Britain known to have been named after a book rather than the other way round and also the only town in Britain with an exclamation mark in it! Kingsley described Bideford as a town of white houses. Many of these are now pastel coloured but the town still has some pleasant narrow streets and attractive small shops.
Day 5
We depart the Royal Hotel after breakfast, making comfort stops en-route, including a suitable lunch stop. Arriving back in East Sussex late afternoon/early evening.
