South Sandpark Cottage, Kentisbury

In Kentisbury

Kentisbury Grange -- A boutique hotel and restaurant set in a beautifully restored Victorian country house. The restaurant serves refined modern British cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, with a daily-changing menu. The grounds are lovely, and the bar offers cocktails, local ales, and an excellent wine list. Booking recommended for dinner.

Nearby

The Fox and Goose, Parracombe -- A traditional village pub approximately 4 miles away, serving hearty home-cooked food and local ales in a welcoming atmosphere. Popular with walkers and families. Beer garden with countryside views.

Hunter's Inn, Heddon Valley -- A National Trust-owned inn tucked into the dramatic Heddon Valley, approximately 5 miles from Kentisbury. A wonderful spot for lunch or dinner after a walk down to Heddon's Mouth. The inn serves pub classics and cream teas, with resident peacocks roaming the gardens.

The Pack o' Cards, Combe Martin -- A remarkable 17th-century pub built to resemble a house of cards, approximately 4 miles away. Good food, real ales, and fascinating architecture. Well worth a visit.

Barnstaple restaurants -- Barnstaple (7 miles) offers a wider selection of dining, from independent cafes and bistros around the historic Pannier Market to Italian, Indian, and Chinese restaurants. The Farmers Arms at Woolacombe is also within easy reach for a special meal.

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum -- Just 2 miles from Kentisbury, this Regency house is set within a beautiful 2,700-acre estate with formal gardens, a lake, woodland walks, and one of the finest collections of horse-drawn carriages in the country. The Victorian walled garden and bat colony are also well worth seeing. Open spring through autumn.

Exmoor National Park -- Kentisbury sits right on the edge of the National Park, giving easy access to some of the finest moorland, coastal, and valley scenery in England. Red deer, Exmoor ponies, and a rich variety of birdlife can be spotted on the surrounding hills and combes.

Heddon Valley -- Owned by the National Trust, this dramatic wooded valley leads down to the rocky cove at Heddon's Mouth on the Bristol Channel coast. The walk from the car park at Hunter's Inn is approximately 1.5 miles each way and is one of the most popular outings on the North Devon coast. Around 5 miles from Kentisbury.

Watermouth Castle -- A family theme park and heritage attraction set in a Victorian castle overlooking Watermouth Harbour, approximately 3 miles from Kentisbury. Ideal for families with younger children, with rides, shows, and indoor attractions.

Exmoor Zoo -- A small, friendly zoo approximately 3 miles away, home to an interesting collection of animals including lynx, wolves, cheetahs, and owls. Keeper talks and feeding sessions run throughout the day. A good rainy-day option for families.

Combe Martin beach -- A sandy beach at the foot of a long village, approximately 4 miles from Kentisbury. Good for rock pooling, swimming, and family days out. The Dinosaur and Wildlife Park is also here.

Lynton and Lynmouth -- Often called the 'Little Switzerland of England', these twin villages are approximately 12 miles east of Kentisbury. Connected by the famous cliff railway -- the steepest fully water-powered railway in the world -- they offer dramatic coastal scenery, the Valley of Rocks, and excellent walking.

Ilfracombe -- A Victorian seaside town approximately 8 miles from Kentisbury, with a working harbour, the landmark Verity statue by Damien Hirst, the Ilfracombe Aquarium, boat trips, and a good selection of shops and restaurants. Tunnels Beaches, with its hand-carved Victorian bathing tunnels, is a unique attraction.

Walks

Heddon Valley to Heddon's Mouth -- One of the finest short walks in North Devon. Starting from Hunter's Inn (National Trust, approximately 5 miles from Kentisbury), the path follows the River Heddon through ancient oak woodland down to the dramatic rocky cove at Heddon's Mouth on the Bristol Channel. Approximately 3 miles return. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.

Arlington Court estate -- The National Trust grounds at Arlington Court (2 miles) offer several waymarked walks through parkland, woodland, and around the lake. A gentle, family-friendly outing with good chances of spotting wildlife. The longer estate walk is approximately 3 miles.

Holdstone Down and Trentishoe -- A rewarding moorland and coastal walk approximately 4 miles from Kentisbury. Holdstone Down rises to over 1,000 feet and offers magnificent views along the North Devon coast and across the Bristol Channel to Wales. The path continues to the tiny, isolated Church of St Peter at Trentishoe. Allow 3 to 4 hours for a circular route.

South West Coast Path -- The 630-mile South West Coast Path passes through Combe Martin, approximately 4 miles from Kentisbury. From here you can walk east towards the spectacular Great Hangman (the highest sea cliff in England at 1,043 feet) or west towards Ilfracombe along a dramatic stretch of the path.

Valley of Rocks, Lynton -- Approximately 12 miles from Kentisbury, this dramatic dry valley features towering rock formations, feral goats, and stunning views along the coast. Several circular walks of varying length start from the Valley of Rocks car park.

Exmoor moorland from Blackmoor Gate -- Blackmoor Gate (2 miles) is the starting point for walks south into the heart of Exmoor. The open moorland stretches away towards Simonsbath, with big skies, wild ponies, and a real sense of remoteness.

Beaches

Combe Martin -- The nearest beach, approximately 4 miles from Kentisbury. A sandy beach with rock pools, backed by the village. Good for families and swimming. Lifeguards in summer.

Lee Bay -- A small, sheltered cove approximately 8 miles from Kentisbury via Ilfracombe. A hidden gem with rock pools and a real sense of seclusion.

Ilfracombe -- Tunnels Beaches (8 miles) is a unique attraction with hand-carved Victorian bathing tunnels leading to a tidal bathing pool and a natural beach. Wildersmouth Beach in the town centre is also popular.

Woolacombe -- One of the finest beaches in Britain, approximately 15 miles from Kentisbury. Three miles of golden sand, excellent surfing, and consistently rated among the top beaches in Europe. Well worth the drive for a day out.