Within 20 miles of Glebe House holiday cottages, you can get to Bude, Hartland Quay, Hartland Point, & Clovelly, going North or Widemouth Bay, Crackington Haven, Boscastle going South. There are also many other seaside towns and villages which are easily accessible.
There is plenty to see and do around Glebe House Cottages, whether you are looking for a sandy beach to spend a day with the family, or to find the perfect surf conditions and other water sports, or if you want to go on a walk to experience truly inspirational wildlife, geology, and scenery. The North Devon & Cornwall coastline is full of variety, with some fabulous beaches, fascinating rock formations; all of them linked by the South West Coast Path.
The closest beach to Glebe House Cottages as the crow flies is Widemouth Bay. The beach is ideal for families, and offers a range of seaside activities including swimming, sunbathing, playing in the sand, surfing, exploring the rock pools as the tide goes out and loads more! (There are lifeguards on duty during the season.) There is plenty of parking and a café in the car park that offer great Cornish Pasties.
Bude is probably the quickest beach to get to using main roads. Following the 2015 British Travel Awards, Bude was named as the ‘Best UK Coastal Resort’.
There is a lot to love about Bude. A beautiful unspoiled seaside town, with plenty of restaurants, bistros, pubs & cafés, seaside shops, and fantastic beaches. It even has a Sea Pool, which is a partially man-made tidal swimming pool or lido in the rocks at Summerleaze beach. Ideal for trying out that new wetsuit!
Other very close beaches and coastal towns are, Crackington Haven, Boscastle and Tintagel to the south, or Hartland Quay and Hartland point, Croyde, Clovelly, Westward Ho! and Bideford to the north. They are just some of the more popular beaches, there are plenty more to explore.
Just a couple of miles down the road in Pyworthy is the Molesworth Arms where you are guaranteed a warm welcome from the owners Kit and Monique, together with amazing food including a pizza oven and a wonderful atmosphere. Booking is advisable as this is very popular.
Good food at reasonable prices. The Bay View Inn is right on the seafront at Widemouth Bay, with stunning views out over the sea. In the summer, you can see fantastic sunsets, as the sun goes down. An extremely popular restaurant that offers alfresco dining. We strongly suggest pre-booking for this restaurant, particularly in the summer season.
The Rydon Inn pride’s itself on sourcing local ales and beers from local brewers. They offer outstanding home cooked pub food, serving everything from sandwiches to full roast dinners on Sundays; all locally sourced. Situated only 10 minutes from Glebe House Cottages; booking is advisable.
The Tennyson Restaurant at the Falcon Hotel in Bude offers high-quality food. The ambiance is sophisticated, traditional and elegant with full table and waiter service. There is also a bar restaurant which uses the same menu and offers less formal dining. Both restaurants offer a good selection of champagne cocktails. Again, it is wise to pre-book!
“Life’s a Beach” restaurant overlooks Summerleaze in Bude. The wide-ranging menu uses fresh local produce and reflects the creativity and traveling experiences of the young chefs. Seafood is a specialty and the atmosphere is always relaxed and friendly. Always wise to book!
The Olive Tree is the perfect place to relax and enjoy alfresco dining beside Bude’s picturesque Canal or inside the spacious restaurant and conservatory. The Olive Tree Wine Bar & Restaurant has a good range of fine wines by the glass to accompany their evening menu. The restaurant menus use fresh produce sourced locally around Bude and Cornwall. Always wise to book!
The above-mentioned restaurants are just a few of the extremely good places to eat in and around Glebe House Cottages, to suit all palettes and budgets. Many pubs serve food and offer a good range of local beers and ciders.
The South West Coast Path links all the beaches around the Cornwall and Devon coastlines and is just a short drive away from our cottages. You can walk along 630 miles of superb coastline which make up the longest National Trail in the UK. The heritage, wildlife, geology, and scenery along the way are truly inspirational and every day you can discover stunning new experiences.
Dunsdon Wild Walk | Starts: 3 miles north of Holsworthy | Length: 4 miles
Orchids and butterflies of DWT Dunsdon nature reserve
Walk along the historic Bude Canal
Wildflowers and ponds of DWT Vealand Farm nature reserve
Click here for the Dunsdon Wild Walk guide
Marsland Wild Walk | Starts: 9 miles south of Hartland | Length: 5 miles
A spectacular section of the South West Coast Path with views to Lundy
Large numbers of butterflies including rare species at DWT Marsland nature reserve
Woodland walks through the Marsland Valley on the DWT reserve.
The rural beauty and tranquility of Ruby Country make it an ideal place to explore on foot. There are many possible routes to follow through breathtaking scenery, with ever-changing wildlife. As the seasons change, watch the wildlife and landscape respond. Walking in Ruby Country gives you space to think, breathe and be at one with yourself.
The 8 Ruby Walking Trails available are also available for you to purchase or download. The trails follow way-marked routes starting from Holsworthy, Hatherleigh, Bradworthy, Cookbury, Sheepwash, Petrockstowe, Tetcott, and Germansweek. You can purchase a pack for £2 from Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre.
There is plenty to see and do close to Glebe House Cottages. Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors with the stunning scenery of Devon and Cornwall, explore enchanted gardens, relax in some exclusive spa’s or discover some amazing history there is something for everyone. Below we have listed a handful of local attractions but Jay and Sarah will be delighted to help you find your perfect day out.
Experience an award-winning Afternoon Tea at Rectory Tea Rooms in Morwenstow, just 12 miles from Glebe House Cottages. Built in the 13th Century the house is filled with character; from the antique furnishings and slate floors to the open fires and original Oak Beams salvaged from the many ships wrecked along the North Cornwall coastline. This afternoon tea experience offers a variety of locally sourced food including homemade scones, cakes, quiche’s, chutneys and delicious soups using century old recipes passed down through the generations; as well as proper Cornish pasties, cheeses, jams, fish (caught fresh from local waters).
Tamar Lakes offer water sports, climbing, archery, fishing, walking & cycling. See website for details.
The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future.
The visitor destination in Cornwall, UK, is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions, and stories serve as a backdrop to the striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.
The Milky Way theme park has something for all the family. Check their website for details on the attractions, prices and opening times.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan 200 acres of garden history, mystery, and romance.
Twenty-five years ago, Heligan’s historic gardens were unknown and unseen; lost under a tangle of weeds. It was only the chance discovery of a door in the ruins that led to the restoration of this once great estate. Today, The Lost Gardens have been put back where they belong: in pride of place among the finest gardens in Cornwall.
New Access All Areas Brewery Tours will run every Friday from 2 pm and give you exclusive access to the brewers with the opportunity to soak up the Brewery’s history and learn more about our beer making process directly from the experts. The tour includes over 3 pints worth of samples! See website for details.
Crealy Great Adventure Park & Resort offer fun family days out with the kids in Devon with roller coasters, animals, attractions, and fun!
Atlantic Village is North Devon’s unique outlet shopping village. With over 30 stores offering up to 50% off rrp every day including Nike, M&S and GAP you’ll find a huge choice of famous name brands at incredible discounts and you’ll be sure to pick up a bargain. Offering free parking, free Wi-Fi and they are open every day. On the same site is the Atlantis Adventure Park, an all-weather attraction for the family which means you can make a whole day of it!
This pretty seaside town is well worth a visit. A particular favourite with many visitors is the Pannier Market, trades on Tuesdays and Saturdays, whilst Butchers’ Row is open Tuesday to Saturday and is a favourite with tourists and residents alike.
You will find the Pannier Market by walking up the High Street and taking a left turn into Grenville Street. The building stands fair and square ahead of you. It is called the Pannier Market after the wicker baskets, or panniers, in which farmers’ wives carried their wares and a market has been held in Bideford since the granting of the Charter of Incorporation in 1573
Just a 30-minute drive from Glebe House Cottages is RHS Rosemoor. Rosemoor is a 65 acre garden of intoxicating beauty, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides.Whatever the season, the exciting colours, scents, and textures mean that all your senses will be stimulated, and with both formal and informal gardens – as well as woodland walks, water features, and open spaces – there is something for children and adults alike to enjoy time and again.