Sausage Cottage, Oakford

PUB NEXT DOOR RED LION –refurbished and the heart of the village with good wines as well as local ales and good food, plus 4 beautiful bedrooms if your group increases beyond 8 people. https://www.theredlionoakford.com/


THE SWAN  BAMPTON – Gastro Pub in our nearest metropolis which also has the nearest shops including, mini supermarkets, butcher, baker, pharmacy.  Good for a pint or a three course meal and wine. Great menu friendly chef http://www.theswan.co


MASONS ARMS  KNOWSTONE - 1  MICHELIN STAR in a 13th century pub,  for special events but there is a 2/3 course menu for £21/25 which is more affordable than the à la carte menu.  Dogs allowed in the bar area.  Recommend booking as they are very popular.  http://www.masonsarmsdevon.co.uk

WOODS RESTAURANT/BAR  in Dulverton – A truly extensive wine list and we think the best menu in the area at a good price.  Highly recommended. Dogs allowed throughout  www.woodsdulverton.co.uk


THE BRIDGE also in Dulverton by the river.  You can watch the kids or the ducks play in the river whilst you have a pint.  Food is middling to fair but good value.  thebridgeinndulverton.com

THE LONDON INN . Molland - very old school – better than  good pub food  and very friendly owners.  Especially after walk on Exmoor.  Excellent smoking area with blankets.  The pub is next to an ancient church that is well worth a look inside, it still has the 10 commandments writ large and boxed pews plus a story about local lilies that came from the crusades . londoninnmolland.co.uk

HARTNOLL HOTEL – Bolham – on the main road into Tiverton on the right hand side  a lovely boutique hotel,  dine inside, in the conservatory or in the gorgeous garden with a lawn to die for. Also has a new spa.  The kids can run around and leave you in peace.  You can also visit nearby Knightshayes Hall https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes a stately home and gardens. www.hartnollhotel.co.uk


THE ROYAL OAK - Withypool - excellent menu and interesting drive – big dining room with large tables as well as the cosier pub area.  Pretty village with bridge over the river and nice walks www.royaloakwithypool.co.uk


FISH & CHIPS IN BAMPTON – Close enough to get them home whilst still hot! 

EASY WALKS 

 Circular village walk.  Turn right out of cottage and keep turning right until you come back to the cottage.   Or for variety repeat anti clockwise.  40 mins 

Iron Mill Stream Walk   turn left out of cottage walk down until road splits into 3 – take right hand road and it takes you down to the river.  When you get to Iron Mill Stream cross over and turn right along its far  bank and then follow the road up until you get back to the main road and turn right back down into the village.   Or when you get the stream just turn left and   turn back the way you came when you’ve had enough or keep going to main road turn right and walk along the road to the Exeter Inn. 

Stuckeridge Walk  as above but when you come to where the road splits take the ‘Private Road’  again just turn back when you have had enough, or turn left at the road split and come back along the Old Police House path. 

Bampton Walk  turn left out of house all the way down to main road, go straight over 
down to Oakfordbridge.  Over bridge turn right and immediately left.  Keep following road turn right at top and then keep going until you arrive in Bampton – about 1.5 hours but you can get a cab back. 

Police House walk – turn left out of the cottage until you get to a crossroads turn sharp left at the old police house– walk through field opposite you keeping to the LEFT hedge and exit field at far corner keeping walking until you come to the fourth gate on you left, (gate is tricky, pull in towards you hard to release catch) walk through that field downhill and exit the gate at the bottom.  Walk along the path to the end turn left and you will come back into the village. 


BEACHES  Best and nearest  beaches are on the North coast which has a big surf scene all year round.   You can go to Croyde for a bit of a pose, Saunton Sands to play in the dunes,  or Woolacombe if you want  miles of beach and chips and Ice Cream.   We like a bit of isolation so we go to Putsborough Sands where there is a car park and a shop but if you walk out a bit it is nice and quiet.   We have buckets and spades and a body board but you can buy/rent all that stuff on location too. 

DOGS – There are lots of great places to walk with your dog and there are many walking guides at the cottage.  We provide waste bags, doggie bowls, a little rub down towel and even a sheepskin rug by the fire!  Please use the waste bags when walking and in the garden and place them in the landfill bins outside.  To protect your dog, the farm animals, and our lovely cottage, please make sure your dogs are wormed and protected against fleas before you come.  Dogs are welcome everywhere except on the sofas and beds.  

RIVER /WILD SWIMMING 

There are a few spots, some detailed in the Wild Swim book in the master bedroom like Pinkworthy Pond.   There are some nice spots in river bends like Tarr Steps (turn right  before the stone bridge walk along river bank until you see the big river bend, grassy banks.   Alternatively for paddling, you can walk to Cow Castle http://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/point-of-interest/cow-castle  which is also great for a picnic.  


There are lots of walking guides, leaftlets and  maps at the cottage help your stay.