Days Out
Yearlstone Vineyard
From Tiverton, take the A396 to Bickleigh. This English Wine Experience at Yearlstone, Devon's oldest vineyard, is perfect for wine lovers. There are regular guided tours each week in the summer and tasting of the estate grown wines. Group tours including lunch and gift packages are also avaiable. The Vineyard cafe and terrace offers light lunches with the empahsis on wonderful seasonal and local ingredients.
Crealy Adventure Park
Devon's Great Adventure Park for all the the family - 21 attractions to explore including go karts, water wars, rides, nature trails, indoor adventure area, animal realm with pets paddock and pony rides.
M5 J30 Sidmouth Road, Exeter EX5 1DR
Escot Fantasy Gardens, Maze and Woodland
Enjoy the natural history gardens and fantasy woodland - with 220 acres of parkland you will find an ark-full of animals and paths and trails. Beautiful flowers, shrubs and magnificant champion trees. See birds of prey, otters, red squirrels and wild boar. An amazing 4,000 beech tree maze and more... Great fun for all the family.
Resaturant with home-cooked lunches, cream teas and cakes.
Exmouth Beach
Nestling at the mouth of the River Exe, this traditional seaside resort is the oldest in Devon. With two miles of golden sand and rock pools, Exmouth is perfect for a beach day. Dogs allowed out of the peak season.
30 minutes' drive from West Pitt. Take the A376 from Exeter
Bickleigh Mill
From Tiverton take the A396 to Bickleigh. One of Devon's largest rural shopping locations, Bickleigh Mill has gifts, clothing, pottery, gallery and crafts and a restuarant and bar. There is a 18th-century water wheel, woodland and waterside walks and a maze.
Tiverton and Knightshayes Court
Tiverton, just 10 minutes' drive from West Pitt Farm, located on two rivers the Exe and the Lowman, was once a major textile town. There is a museum and castle. Close by is the Grand Western Canal, built originally to transport lime, where there are walks and horse-drawn barge trips.
Knightshayes Court, a National Trust property close to Tiverton is a Victorian Gothic country house with glorious gardens including a kitchen garden. Many events throughout the year such a Spring Walks, Easter Egg Trail and food tasting. Plant Centre, gift shop and restaurant.
Castle Drogo
National Trust property and gardens, Drewsteighnton, nr Exeter EX6 6PB The last castle to be built in England, set above the Teign Gorge with views over Dartmoor. An unusual and interesting modern castle by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Family activities duiring school summer holidays. Tea room in the castle.
Buckfastleigh and Buckfast Abbey
A38 south. Quaint, unspoilt town, good base for walking and cycling. Weekly farmers' market and interesting shops selling arts and crafts. A free vintage bus tours the town in Easter and Summer. South Devon Railway operates steam trains alongside the river Dart to Totnes.
Buckfast Abbey, a Benedictine monastery offering a visit filled with history, heritage, resaurant and a shop.
Hestercombe Gardens
Near Taunton, Somerset TA2 8LG. Forty acres of walks, streams, terraces, lakes and woodland. Hestercombe has three period gardens: Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian - the latter designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Activities for children, fun walks and scrambles. Cafe and shop. Dogs welcome.
Grand Western Canal
The Canal is a Country Park through 11 miles of Devon countryside. Abundant wildlife can be seen including swans, ducks, kingsfishers, dragonflies and butterlies. The Canal Path can be accessed just a mile from West Pitt farm. This country park offers country walks, cycling, boating and fishing. Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control. The Globe Inn in Sampford Peverell is close by and a popular destination - it has direct access to the canal path. Bicycles may be hired from Abbotswood Cycle Hire in Halberton and free delivery and collection is offered to guests staying at West Pitt Farm.
Horse-drawn barge trips on a traditionally painted barge pulled by a shire horse is the last of its kind in the West Country and one of only a few remaining in England today.
Tarr Steps, Exmoor
This lovely location offers delightful walks along the banks of the River Barle and the ancient Tarr stone steps. Perfect for picnics, paddling and dog walking. The Tarr Farm Inn offers excellent food either inside or in the delightful garden overlooking the Steps.
For more information on what to do and see
Topsham and Darts Farm
A376 from Exeter. Topsham is just four miles from Exeter. It is a lovely town with good shopping, pubs and award-winning restaurants, country walks, bird watching and boat trips.
Darts Farm (EX3 0QH) located just off the A379 towards Exmouth has something for everyone: a farm shop with meats, vegetables, deli counter, wines, beers and ciders... with most produce sold being locally produced within a 30 mile radius and some home grown on the farm; clothes shopping, Cotswold Outdoor store, gift stores, cook shop and a restaurant, plus an excellent fish and chip bar.
Coldharbour Mill
Uffculme EX15 3EE. This woolen mill, built in 1700, is just 10 minutes' drive from West Pitt Farm. Steam complex, tours and a restaurant.
West Somerset Railway
Bishops Lydeard TA4 3BX, Minehead TA24 5BG. A leisurely 20 mile journey between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead on the north coast, through glorious Somerset countryside. There are 10 stations offering a range of things to do - including visiting historic buildings, seaside, country walks and more.
South Devon Steam Railway
Buckfastleigh, Staverton and Totnes, A38 South, TQ11 0DZ. The South Devon Railway steam train follows the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes; the train may be taken from either location. Parking however is easier and free at Buckfastleigh where there is also a museum, children's play area and picnic area. Make a day of it and take the train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes (30 mins), walk into Totnes and return by train later in the day.
Woodlands Family Theme Park
Woodlands Family Theme Park Devon provides a whole day of variety for all ages. Incredible indoor centres, outdoor adventures, Zoo, Big Fun Farm, Falconry Centre and Wildlife Sanctuary.