Okehampton

Brambles Bed and Breakfast is 45.6 miles from Okehampton in Devon.

Okehampton is a flourishing historic town providing a wide range of high quality facilities for residents, businesses and visitors. Conveniently located on the main route to Cornwall, and with easy access to Dartmoor, Okehampton is an ideal base for tourists.

Okehampton is an ideal centre for exploring Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall. The town provides a wide range of facilities in an historic setting, and is conveniently located for access to the beaches, coves and resorts of both north and south coasts. The vast moorland expanse of Dartmoor, with its rugged tors, fast flowing streams and unspoilt villages lies just south of the town. To the north is rural Devon, with Exmoor beyond. The town is linked by rail to Exeter, and by road to Exeter and the M5 via the A30 trunk road.

SPORTS AND LEISURE
A wide range of sports facilities (incl. putting, bowling, tennis, squash, etc.) are available in Simmons Park, Mill Road, Okehampton. For more information please ring 01837 840521 (tennis) or 01837 53226 (bowling) There is also a good heated, indoor Swimming Pool. Tel. 01837 52073. There are day time events around the district all year - contact the Tourist Information Centre 01837 53020.

RIDING
Riding horseback is the ideal way to explore Dartmoor and there are several riding stables to cater for you:
Eastlake Farm Riding Stables, Belstone. Tel 01837 52513

FISHING
The area offers world famous fishing rivers, coarse fishing establishments and secluded reservoirs (Meldon, Fernworthy and Roadford - see South West Water leaflet). For general information on fishing ask for leaflet "Fishing Down in West Devon."

Week Farm, Bridestowe, Okehampton, EX20 4HZ Tel/Fax: 01837 861221. Three well stocked coarse fishing lakes.

GOLF
Ashbury Golf Courses (4 miles west of Okehampton) 3x18 hole courses. Green Fees: £20 - £25 + PAR 3 18 hole courses. £8 - £10
Tel. 0183755453.

CYCLING
On Your Bike! The area offers both challenging and gentle cycling opportunities along country lanes and cycle trails. Abbeyford Woods offers a 3 mile off-road, circular route through Forestry Commission land and the Sticklepath and Okehampton Cycle Route takes you on a 30 mile circular route on quiet roads via Hatherleigh and several small villages. This also links with the Tarka Trail Way and Holsworthy to Black Torrington Route (25 miles). Leaflets are available detailing these plus Cycling in Tarka Country and A Guide to Cyclists in the Dartmoor Area.

WALKING
Okehampton is becoming known as THE Walking Centre of Devon with walks programmes for the whole season. For more information please ring the Tourist Information Centre on 01837 53020.

Military Training - Parts of north Dartmoor are used for live firing during some of the year (excluding weekends and main holiday periods). For information on times and ranges. Tel 01837 52241/2 or ask at the Information Centre.

MARKETS
Farmers Market, every 3rd Saturday each month, Charter Hall, Okehampton.
Tel 01837 53158

Monthly Craft Fair in the Charter Hall.

General Market every Wednesday to Saturday in the new Market Hall, Okehampton

ARTS & CRAFTS

Arts Gallery, Red Lion Yard, Okehampton Exhibitions by local artists. Locally made gifts.

Salar Gallery, 20 Bridge Street, Hatherleigh Art and craft gallery, featuring quality work by Devon artists and crafts people and solo exhibitions.
Tues, Thurs, Fri 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm. Wed &Sat 10am- 1pm.

The Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition
Stone Farm, near Chagford (OS ref 70-90) in a 5 acre setting of water gardens and National Collection of Birch & Alder. Tel 01647231311. Open May - September.

LOCAL PLACES OF INTEREST

Higher Cadham Farm, Jacobstowe, Nr Okehampton 01837 851647.
Cream teas and light snacks available 3 -4.30pm. Beautiful walks in tranquil fields & woods - part of the Tarka Trail. A wildlife activity trail for all. Well equipped play area with hands on pets for the children. A collection of memorabilia from this family farm. Closed Mondays. John and Jenny King.

Miniature Pony Centre Nr Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor Tel 01647 432400
Great family day out on Dartmoor. Restaurant and children's activities

Okehampton Station and The Dartmoor Railway Okehampton Station Tel 01837 55637
Trains to Meldon Viaduct and the National Cycle route throughout the year. Restricted services
in winter. Home made meals and cakes at Meldon and Okehampton Buffets. Visitor centre, working quarry and magnificent views across the Dartmoor National Park at Meldon. Extensive Model Railway and gift shop at Okehampton.
Talking time table and general enquiries 01837 55667.

Hostas
Ann & Roger Bowden. 1 Acre ornamental garden in Sticklepath with National Collection open to view by arrangement. Entrance £1.50.
Send 3x1 st Class stamps for catalogue. Tel. 01837840481.
Charity Open Days: April 27th, April 28th, June 1 st, Admission £1.50, children free.

Museum of Dartmoor Life
West Street, Okehampton Tel 01837 52295
Explore Dartmoor's unique Heritage and hear the people's story in this lively, award winning museum, where you can also enjoy exhibitions of local arts, crafts and history and the interactive 'Wheels of Discovery'.
Open all year Mon - Fri from 10am plus Saturdays Easter - October & Sundays June - September.
Admission £2 adults. £1.80 concessions. £1 children. Family ticket £5.60.

Okehampton Castle
Half a mile South West of the Town Centre.
Established by the Normans as the seat of the first sheriff of Devon. It was largely rebuilt in the 14th century as a lavish country home of the Courtenays, Earls of Devon. Today, the remains of the largest castle in Devon, with its gravity defying Keep stands in a beautiful woodland setting.

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