West Down House

This area is known as Ruby Country after the breed of ruby red cattle that was dominant in Devon in the C19th. A hardy, docile breed with a rich red coat the Ruby was taken to America and farmed by the Pilgrim Fathers. The area also offers some of the country's finest examples of Culm grassland an important wildlife habitat. The major rivers of the Tamar, Torridge and Taw start and flow through the area creating beautiful scenery and a wonderful habitat for wildlife including birds and otters.

Local places with historical associations

Soak up the area's rich and diverse history. Visit Clovelly, an ancient fishing village with narrow cobbled streets, perched on dramatic cliffs; romantic Tintagel with its Arthurian legends; and the civil war sites at Stamford Hill and Great Torrington. Marvel at the harsh, remote beauty of Hartland Quay where people have battled against the sea for centuries. Discover the Quay's origins and how it was funded by the Elizabethans' sea trading.

Explore the fascinating and partially restored Bude Canal. Using inclined planes, a sea lock (apparently one of only two remaining in the country) amd the massive Bude breakwater the 35 mile long canal was an amazing feat of engineering and allowed ships to enter the small bay and unload along wharves at high tide. The canal used specially designed tubboats and rails to transport sand and lime (to improve and enrich local farmland), coal and other goods to previously remote inland areas;

Historic figures with local associations include: Thomas Hardy, Boscastle; Tennyson, Tintagel; Charles Kingsley, Bideford; John Wesley, Launceston; the eccentric Reverend Robert Hawker, Morwenstow; Daphne Du Maurier, Jamaica Inn on lonely Bodmin Moor and Henry Williamson, author of Tarka the Otter, set around the beautiful Taw and Torridge valleys. Visit the beautiful and inspiring 40 acre gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at Rosemoor.

The breathtaking local scenery has been featured in many films and television programmes. Most recently scenes from the BBC's Down to Earth series have been filmed in the area whilst ITV's Doc Martin is based in Port Isaac just down the coast. Occasionally our guests spot famous faces on their travels around the area.

Family entertainment & general interest (please click on underlined links to visit individual sites for more information):- The Milky Way, The BIG Sheep (all weather attraction), Brocklands, Killarney Springs, The Gnome Reserve, Quince Honey Farm, Harlequins play area and Bowling alley, Launceston Steam Railway, Miniature Pony Centre, Torrington 1646 Civil War Heritage Centre, Morwellham Quay, Cobbaton Combat Collection, Exmoor Steam Railway, Watermouth Castle, Combe Martin Dinosaur & Wildlife Park, Atlantic Village.

Clay pigeon shooting nearby at Waterland Days. Field archery also available locally.

Take the opportunity to explore the West Country peninsula. Exeter (Cathedral, river, underground tunnels), Plymouth (National Marine Aquarium, The Hoe, Barbican, Plymouth Dome), Truro, Padstow, Land's End, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Paignton Zoo, Newquay (zoo, Fistral beach) and the Eden Project make fascinating day trips.