Things to do
Here are some ideas of things you could do while staying in the Ruby Lodge.
Walking
Cycling
Fishing
Surfing
Watersports
Adventure
Golf
Eating Out
Farmers Markets
Attractions
Free Downloads
Tourist Information
One of Bryan's businesses is running West Country Walks and the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival. Many walks have been led during the festivals and some of the more local ones are available in the lodge with our compliments. The northern edge of Dartmoor is only a 12 mile drive away for more challenging walking.
Bryan used to also run cycling holidays and the cycle routes, which incorporate Ruby Country trails, are available in the lodge.
The Sustrans cycle routes are also quite close, following the old railway from Okehampton to Plymouth, passing along the edge of Dartmoor through some lovely countryside.
For quality cycle hire this local cycle hire operator is very good.
Free course and trout fishing is available at a nearby site owned by the same company as The Ruby. This site is also in development but the fishing is available now. For more information go the Simpson Valley Course and Trout Fishery website.
Bude is a perfect centre for surfing with various surfing schools always providing lessons. The beach is patrolled by the Coastguard. For the more experienced surfer many of the North Cornwall and North Devon beaches provide superb surf and some good challenges.
Just over 7 miles away is the watersport centre at SW Lakes Roadford Lake (730 acres). You will find sailing, canoeing, rowing, angling, cycle hire and a restaurant. The Meldon Reservoir near Okehampton allows free fishing for brown trout with a rod licence in season.
Are you an adventure junky? Do you like the thrills of rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes, coasteering, kart racing, quad biking, or the less hairy kite flying, mountain biking, kayaking or paintballing. Then go to Devon Adventure to realise your dreams.
The Holsworthy Golf Club is about 13 miles away and welcomes visitors to the club.
Devon is now blessed with some excellent restaurants and pubs. Nearby at Halwill Junction there is a choice of pubs and in the market towns there is a good choice of places to eat. For more information on places to eat go to this link.
Holsworthy, Hatherleigh and Okehampton, all about 11 miles away, hold traditional farmers markets each week or month. These are the perfect place to get local produce and use the lodges impressive kitchen to cook yourself a local feast. To find all kinds of local produce click here, or download this Adobe Acrobat file of Ruby Country Producers.
For children there is The Milky Way near Clovelly has plenty to keep children happy for the whole day. The Big Sheep near Bideford is another fun day out for everyone.
For some real fun, within minutes of the lodge, there is the all weather Dragon Archery Attraction where you can encounter dinosaurs, ugly orcs, wolves and armoured knights before reaching the great Red Dragon, defending yourself with your bow and arrows.
Every year throughout June the area celebrates the North Devon Festival. This festival holds a fantastic range of events and is rated one of the top five festivals in the UK. My walking festival is an associate festival of this event, being outside June!
Clovelly is an old fishing village clinging to the steep cliff, with cobbled streets, a picturesque harbour, souvenir shops and pubs. A step back in time.
Okehampton is home to the Museum of Dartmoor Life and to the Dartmoor Railway from Okehampton to Crediton. The remains of the largest Devon castle at Okehampton Castle is an English Heritage site.
To sample some of the varied Ruby Country crafts available then this Adobe Acrobat file will give you all the information.
Circular walks near the Ruby Lodge:
Hatherleigh via Keyethern Farm, 5.9 miles
Hatherleigh via BBC Springwatch country, 4.9 miles
Roadford Lake via Germansweek, 5.0 miles
Sheepwash via Buckland Filliegh, 6.7 miles
Circular cycle rides near the Ruby Lodge: (map of rides)
Ride 8: Bradworthy via Kilkhampton, 11.7 miles
Ride 9: Holsworthy via Lower Tamar Lake, 17.1 miles
Ride 10: Holsworthy via Black Torrington, 23.3 miles
Ride 11: Holsworthy via Boyton, 21.4 miles
For further information on anything in this area please contact the local tourist information centres. The Ruby Lodge is supplied with a portfolio of places to visit during your stay.
Holsworthy: +44 (0)1409 254185
Email: vic@visitholsworthy.co.uk
Okehampton:
+44 (0)1837 53020
Email: okehamptontic@westdevon.gov.uk
