South Wales Argus
The Hartland Peninsula, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty is an ideal place to take a relaxing break.
It juts out from the north Devon coast between Bideford and Bude at the point where the Atlantic and the Bristol Channel begins.
The coastal scenery is the main attraction, best explored on foot or cycle via a network of paths and single-track lanes that take you through the rolling farmland down to a series of spectacular bays and coves that dot the rocky coast.
An ideal place to stay to explore the area is at one of the eight cottages converted from five listed Victorian farm buildings at Downe House, a farmhouse that dates back to the 15th century They sit just Inland with views across to Lundy.
Downe Cottages, open all year, are at the top end of self-catering accommodation and come with the English ‘Tourist Board’s de luxe rating. As such, they are equipped to a high standard.
They are the creÂation of barrister Jeremy Roe and his wife, Lynda. When they set out on the project about six years ago they decided that the accommodation they would provide would not be what they thought people would like but what they would be happy to stay in.
The result is very comfortÂable accommodation where just about everything you might possibly need is provided. If you require something extra Jeremy and Lynda will do their best to provide it, as in the case of one guest who wanted a fish kettle. They loaned their own.
The centrally-heated cottages all have a 21in TVs, video, hair dryer and bedside radio alarms. There’s an enÂsuite bathroom for each bedroom.
What sets Downe apart are the added little touches. You can have a barbecue and eat outside at the patio tables and chairs that come with each cottage. Those staying in winter will find a warm welcome because the heating will have been switched on two hours before they arrive.
Your entertainment in the evening is also catered for. As part of the package for visitors there’s a choice of about 200 videos (plus about 25 for children) and a selection of games for adults and children. Parking is under cover in a barn that doubles as-a garage. Finding your way around the area is helped by the provision of an Ordnance Survey map of the area, bus timetable and tide table for deciding the best time to go to the beach.
Where to go is made easy by a guide of more than 100 pages (fully-indexed) to pubs and restaurants, sports faciliÂties, places to visit, activities for children and day trips.
Most of the few days I enjoyed at Downe earlier this month were spent exploring the coastal area.
The best part of one day was taken up with a walk along the coastal path to Clovelly, the village for which been invented. It’s a route that has some steep sections, including Clovelly’s main street.
Another walk worth taking is the round trip from Downe to Hartland Lighthouse and along the coastal path to Hartland – Quay, where you can get a welcome drink at the hotel before the final lap back to base.
There’s always something of interest to see on such walks and sometimes the unexpected – I came across a peregrine falcon perched on a clifftop ridge near Hartland Quay. Another guest saw two deer on an evening stroll.
One of the benefits of a late season break is that you escape the worst of the traffic if you want to go to popular centres. Parking was hassle Âfree in visits to Bideford, Bude, Crackington Haven and the tourist hot spot of Tintagel.