Local Area Information
Carey Valley is the perfect location to use as a base to explore North Cornwall and West Devon.
THE BEST BEACHES IN NORTH CORNWALL
The closet beaches are on the North Cornish coast, Widemouth, Northcott and Summerleaze are the beaches of Bude and approximately 35 minutes away. They are all wonderful for families, with wide stretches of sand, rock pools to explore, great cafes and ideal for learning to surf and bodyboard along with other activities from coasteering to fishing. There are many beautiful Sandy, surfing beaches to find if you want to explore deeper into Cornwall or along the North Devon coast. My favourite are the more hidden coves tucked away and ready to explore.
https://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/north-cornwall/
https://www.tideschart.com/United-Kingdom/England/Plymouth/Black-Rock-(Widemouth-Bay)-Beach/
ROADFORD LAKE
Only a few minutes drive from Carey Valley Glamping Retreat, Roadford Lake offers many water sports and activities especially during the school holidays ( book ahead ), learn to sail, paddle-board or try to learn the skills of archery. There is a lovely walk round part of the lake and a huge range of locally made ice cream at the cafe to cool you down on a sunny day.
https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/pages/site/activities/category/roadford-lake
DARTMOOR
Dartmoor can be seen from the vicinity of Carey Valley with the pointy Tors skirting the skyline. It’s a wild and bracing place to explore so wrap up warm as the weather is unpredictable. There are many walks to discover, maybe visit the ancient Whitman’s Woods then come back and have lunch at The Two Bridges or climb to the top of Brentor and see the views from the church at the top. Bodmin with its museums and train station and Tavistock with its markets are worth visiting.
NORTH DEVON
From Clovelly to Croyde Bay are worth a day out or maybe visit Barnstable or Illfracombe and from there travel to Lundy to see the wildlife living there.
https://www.visitdevon.co.uk/northdevon
BODMIN MOOR
A rugged magical place full of myths and legends, ruins and standing stones and discover the history of Jamaica Inn or just stop for a lunch or a coffee.
Explore the Beauty of Bodmin Moor (visitcornwall.com)
ST NECTERNS GLEN
A world filled with the elixir that nature has shaped into one of Cornwall’s most unspoilt hidden corners. Voted an area of outstanding natural beauty, appointed a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rare specimens of plants, and considered to be one of the UK’s most spiritual sites: St Nectan’s Glen. (from the website below)
Welcome to St Nectans Glen, woodland and waterfall in Cornwall (st-nectansglen.co.uk)
BOSCASTLE
An atmospheric old fishing harbour village. For fantastic coastal views take the left hand path alongside the harbour which leads to a slate platform where you can see the ‘blowhole’ an hour before or after low tide, shooting a horizontal waterspout halfway across the harbour entrance if the conditions are right. You can follow the coast path up to Willapark, where the National Coastwatch have a watch-house high on the headland. The limekiln and storage buildings give a brief reminder of Boscastle's industrial heritage as both a port and a fishing village. Hard to imagine much of what you see was damaged by floods in 2004.
The path on the other side of the harbour leads past the Witchcraft Museum out onto Penally Point, again this provides walkers with fantastic views but can be difficult underfoot in places. (from the website below)
Recommended: Boscastle Farm Shop (overlooking the sea and coastal path) and The Napoleon Pub (high at the top of the village), book for lunch as both are very popular.
Boscastle: Cornwall's Quaint Coastal Village (visitcornwall.com)
TINTAGEL
Immerse yourself in history, myth and stunning scenery at Tintagel Castle on Cornwall's rugged north coast.
Book ahead to save money.
Visit Tintagel Castle | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk)
THE EDEN PROJECT
The Eden Project used to be a barren landscape – a former clay mine with no soil or plants. It was transformed from a huge crater into a beautiful global garden, where you’ll rediscover the natural world as you've never experienced it before.
Explore massive covered Biomes to trek through one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests and immerse yourself in the calm fragrance of the Mediterranean Biome. Enjoy extensive Outdoor Gardens, contemporary artworks, performance and storytelling. Discover places to rest, play and eat, and pick up inspiring ideas to take home on how to care for the planet that cares for you. (edited from the website below)