Once a year the Wyke Manor estate in the cotswolds opens it’s gates to visitors to enjoy their stunningly beautiful fields of flowers. We went to check it out for the first time this summer, and it was unlike anywhere I’d visited before!
What it’s all about…
Wyke manor is home of The Real Flower Petal Confetti Company, they grow a beautiful range of delphinium flowers which they harvest and dry by hand. For a short time in July (the exact dates are dependant on the year) they allow visitors to come and enjoy the flower field before the flowers are harvested.
What to do while you’re there…
The confetti fields are a favourite spot with photographers, and you can see why! It’s a lovely spot to take some family photos. There are tracks right through the middle of the flowers for you to explore the field, and there is also a viewing deck to give you a better view of the stripes of colour from above. There’s an onsite cafe serving snacks and drinks, which took card and cash payment. You can purchase big bunches of flowers near to the entrance of the field, in 2022 when we visited these cost £10 (and by a big bunch, I mean BIG!!). There was also an artist on site when we visited selling beautiful paintings of the fields.
Cost and how to book tickets…
The dates that the fields are open varies each year depending on the weather and how the flowers are growing, but it is usually sometime in July. Keep an eye on the flower companies instagram and website towards the end of June where they release the dates that the field will be open each year. Before attending you need to book tickets, this can be done through their website once the dates are live. The tickets in 2022 cost us £5.50 per adult (the baby was free!). Unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed on site so we had to leave the furry travellers behind for this one.
How to get there…
The confetti fields are situated just outside Pershore in The Cotswolds. The nearest postcode is WR10 3PA but it is well signposted when you get nearby. Make sure you’ve booked your slot to visit before you head over!
Where to stay…
Camping – Andrews Field just off the M5 is a lovely small site not too far away. It’s right on the banks of the river Avon and is reasonably priced.
Hotels and B&B’s – Woodland’s 159 is an award winning B&B and only 7 minutes drive from the flower fields. It’s reasonably priced with double rooms from £90 and family rooms starting at £110.
Other places nearby…
The Cotswolds is a lovely area to explore, Pershore is a pretty market town and there are some nice walks along the river Avon. Bredon Hill and Beckford Nature Reserve are also nearby.
]]>Found on the coastline south of Dartmoor national park, Burgh Island is an interesting and very picturesque place to visit. It caught my eye this summer after I’d seen a few pictures on google – an island you could walk to? We decided we had to go and check it out!
What it’s all about…
Accessible from Bigbury beach, Burgh Island is one of Englands few tidal islands. This means that if you time your visit right, at low tide you can walk across the sand to the island. Having the sea either side of you whilst walking across the beach is quite a sight!
It’s a fairly short flat walk along the sand, although there is some wet sections and a small stream to cross nearer the island so wear your boots!
What to do while you’re there…
Check out the remains of the chapel found near the centre of the island, take a walk around the islands footpaths and enjoy the beautiful Devon scenery! Bigbury beach is along the south west coast path making it a great spot to tie in if you’re walking this stretch.
Make sure you check the tide times before your visit if you want to walk to the island, there is also a ‘sea tractor’ that can take you to or from the island if the tide is in whilst you’re there. We didn’t use it during our visit, but the sign said that it was £2 per trip and that you need to have the exact change with you to pay for it.
How to get there…
Burgh island is about 45 minutes from Plymouth and only half an hour from the edge of Dartmoor national park.
There are several car parks nearby, we parked in the one at the end of Marine Drive. The postcode for the car park is TQ7 4AS. It was a nice roomy car park with no height limits so good for those travelling in a camper or larger vehicle. It’s also got lovely views of the island and was a good spot for a picnic!
Nearest place to grab a bite…
There is a pub on the island called The Pilchard Inn which is run by the Burgh Island Hotel. We stopped here for a pint and to shelter from a downpour but be warned, it was pretty pricey!
There is also a cafe in bigbury on sea but again this is quite pricey. If you are travelling on a budget I’d advise bringing food and drink with you.
Where to stay…
Camping – We love to wild camp in our van however sadly this area of Devon is not the easiest for finding free park ups! So whilst we were here we stayed at Mount Folly Farm campsite, only a five minute drive up the road. It had lovely views and wasn’t too expensive.
Hotels and B&B’s – If you’re feeling flush you can actually stay on the island at the Burgh Island Hotel, but at around £500 a night it’s probably out of most people’s budgets! The Henley Hotel on the mainland is a slightly more affordable option (although still at the higher end of hotels, as is much of this area) with a double room with breakfast costing £159 a night.
Other places nearby…
The south of Devon has so much to offer, check out the beautiful Hope Cove and Salcombe whilst you’re in the area.
]]>Found right on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, Keepers Pond (also known by its welsh name – Penn-Ford-Goch) is a lovely wild but accessible spot with stunning views across the national park. Not far from major roads it’s the perfect place to stop off on a longer journey through the area or for a day out.
What it’s all about…
Forming part of the Bleanavon world heritage site with some stunning views across the Usk Valley this spot is the perfect place for a picnic or a good starting point for some longer hikes. The pond itself is also a popular swimming spot for those who enjoy a refreshing wild swim! It’s a manmade pond that was originally built to provide water for a nearby forge in the early 19th century.
What to do while you’re there…
Situated right off the mountain road Keepers Pond is a great place to stop off and admire the views. There’s a lovely walk from the pond to the summit of the Blorenge Mountain around 3 miles away and as mentioned earlier the pond is a popular spot for a wild swim. The wilderness of the mountain can be seen in the beautiful flora and fauna and if you’re lucky enough the wild ponies who frequent this spot may drop by during your visit!
How to get there…
Keepers Pond is near two major routes in this area of Wales being just under half an hours drive from the M4 and only five minutes from the A465. There is a free car park on site which makes it easily accessible, the postcode for this car park is NP4 9SR and there are no height restrictions or limits on how long you can stay.
Nearest place to grab a bite…
There are many restaurants and pubs a short drive away in the towns of Blaenavon and Abergavenny. The nearest being the Rifleman’s Arms in Blaenavon which offers home cooked food and has some good reviews.
Where to stay…
If you would like to stick around this area for a little longer than a day there are a range of accommodation options nearby.
Wild camping – There are no restrictions on the car park mentioned earlier at Keepers Pond itself and it’s a stunning place to park up overnight! Although it can be busy during the day and at sunset; it tends to quieten down as the night goes on. There were a few local ‘boy racers’ who arrived after dark but thankfully they didn’t stick around for too long. There is also another car park just up the road called Foxhunter which is often quieter and like the parking at keepers pond is free with no height restrictions. The postcode for both car parks is NP4 9SR, Keepers pond is just off the main mountain road and Foxhunter down a small lane behind the pond further off the road.
Campsite goers – Pyscoldyn Farm and Blossom Touring Park can both be found just over 15 minutes drive away.
Hotels and B&B’s – The Lion Hotel can be found five minutes drive away in Blaenavon or there is a new Premier Inn that has recently been built on the outskirts of Abergavenny which has rooms from £65 per night.
Other places nearby…
Located right on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park there are so many spots to explore nearby. The Sugarloaf and Skirrid mountains are both lovely climbs. The area is also famous for its industrial heritage and the Big Pit museum can be found a short drive away.
]]>This incredibly scenic place near the edge of the National Park has some seriously impressive rock formations that provide an amazing natural viewpoint of the ancient forest and valley below. If you’re looking for a picturesque spot on Dartmoor, Dewerstone will not disappoint!
What it’s all about…
Found less than 10 miles from the centre of Plymouth and overlooking the river Plym, Dewerstone rocks is a wonderful historic site that has been visited by people for centuries. It’s thought that there may have been a settlement around the rocks from as early as the Neolithic period and evidence can still be seen today of the Iron Age hill fort. Legend has it that the devil would gallop across the moors on horseback with his pack of hounds to the rocks and chase unsuspecting travellers over the cliff edge to their deaths. Hence the name ‘Dewer’ which is an old Celtic word for the Devil!
What to do while you’re there…
As well as the rocks there’s so much to explore around Dewerstone. The site is surrounded by beautiful woodland, waterfalls and wildlife.
The area is a popular spot with climbers and there are over 100 listed climbs nearby. There’s also loads of great spots for scrambling and bouldering if that’s more your thing!
The walk to Dewerstone takes you through ancient woodlands alongside the river Plym before detouring off up to the rocks. However the paths continue up stream alongside the river for miles and I definitely recommend taking some time out to have a wander through these beautiful woodlands. There is a lovely walk on the opposite side of the valley, we walked along this path after climbing up to Dewerstone and it was really interesting to see the rock faces from a different viewpoint! There’s also lots of lovely wild swimming spots further up stream.
How to get there…
As the site is on the South edge of the Moors it’s easily accessible from the city of Plymouth. There is free parking at the National Trust site of Dewerstone Woods near the village of Shaugh Prior which is a good place to start.
The postcode for the car park is PL7 5HE, if this car park is full there is another just around the corner over the bridge on the right hand side. This car park is also better if you have a larger vehicle as the first car park can get quite busy. Both car parks are free of charge and have no height barriers.
Nearest place to grab a bite…
The White Thorn Inn can be found in the village of Shaugh Prior nearby and is open 7 days a week, serving food from 12pm to 9pm.
Where to stay…
If you would like to explore the area for a little longer there are a range of accommodation options nearby.
Wild camping – It is possible to wild camp on many areas of Dartmoor with a tent but unfortunately you’re unable to park up overnight in a campervan. If you wish to wild camp you need to make sure that all of your equipment can fit in your backpack and you pitch your tent at least 100m away from any roads. Please don’t forget to treat the area with care and leave no trace. Full details on wild camping guidelines along with a map on which areas you can camp at can be found on the Dartmoor website.
Campsite goers – There are several campsites around 20 to 30 minutes drive away including Dartmoor caravan park and Magpie leisure park.
Hotels and B&B’s – The Moorland Hotel can be found less than five minutes drive away and offers room from £70 per night.
Other places nearby…
This part of Dartmoor is a great place to explore from with easy access to both the coastline and the moors further inland. If you’re planning to head further North into the depths of Dartmoor why not check out Venford Reservoir and Bench Tor.
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Tucked away in the wilds of Dartmoor, this beautiful reservoir is a nice place to stop off whilst exploring! Bench Tor and Venford Falls are both within easy reach of the reservoir.
What it’s all about…
Venford is a fairly small but beautiful reservoir originally built to supply water to the seaside town of Paignton. It provides a welcome sheltered spot on wild and windy days as well as being a great spot to explore Bench Tor, The Dart Gorge and Venford Falls nearby.
What to do while you’re there…
Head across the bridge that overlooks the dam for some lovely views of the lake. There is a circular walk around the perimeter of the reservoir which is just under a mile long and relatively flat. The reflection of the surrounding trees on the water on a clear day makes for some very picturesque views!
Bench Tor can also be found nearby, head from the parking area (details below) across the Dam and walk up to the left away from the road. Continue climbing up the slope and you’ll see the rocks ahead of you before too long. It is less than a mile from the Dam to the rocks and it’s a truly lovely walk. This area is a lovely spot for experiencing the wildness of Dartmoor with sheep and ponies in plentiful supply!
Once you reach the rocks the views of the gorge below are breathtaking. You can either head back the way you came, explore down into the gorge below or walk from the Tor down into the woods beneath the dam to find the hidden beauty of Venford waterfalls. The area surrounding Venford Reservoir is full of wildlife and makes up part of the Dart Valley Nature Reserve.
How to get there…
The nearest postcode for Venford Reservoir is PL20 6SE, the reservoir can be found along the Castles in the Dart Valley road.
There is parking available opposite the reservoir, the car park has toilet facilities and is open 24 hours a day. There is no height or time limit restrictions and it’s free of charge.
As with many roads around Dartmoor the access roads to Venford are very narrow in places. If you are travelling in a van or larger vehicle you will need to approach from the North via Hexworthy, there is only one narrow bridge from this direction which I managed fine in my Mercedes Sprinter! The road from the South is not suitable for larger vehicles.
Nearest places to grab a bite…
The Forest Inn can be found around 5 minutes drive away in the village of Hexworthy offering a range of home cooked food. Or alternatively if you’re fancying a treat, the Badgers Holt Tearooms in Dartmeet offer high tea for £17 per person down by the river.
Where to stay…
If you would like to explore this stunning area for long:
Wild camping – It is possible to wild camp on many areas on Dartmoor with a tent but unfortunately you’re unable to park up overnight in a campervan. However there is a very affordable campsite nearby (see below). If you wish to wild camp you need to make sure that all your equipment can fit in your backpack and you pitch your tent at least 100m away from any roads. Please don’t forget to treat the area with care and leave no trace. Full details on wild camping guidelines can be found on the Dartmoor website.
Campsite goers – Westoke Farm can be found between Holne Village and the reservoir and offer basic field camping for tents, caravans and campervans with a portaloo at the very reasonable price of £4 per adult per night! They also provide water at their farmhouse nearby.
Hotels and B&B’s – The Forest Inn mentioned earlier offer overnight accommodation from £60 and are dog friendly.
Other places nearby…
There is so much to explore on Dartmoor! Combestone Tor and some stunning sections of the river Dart are all easily accessible from this spot.
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This stunning viewpoint can be found within the beautiful countryside of Herefordshire; right along the borders of England and Wales. I’ve been visiting this place ever since I was young and still make a point to come back here as often as I can!
What it’s all about…
Yat Rock is an impressive rocky outcrop set high on a hill above the banks of the river Wye. Surrounded by forest and idyllic scenery it’s the perfect place to take in the surroundings of the Wye Valley before exploring this beautiful area further! It’s also the site of an ancient hill fort which was used as a lookout for many years.
What to do while you’re there…
Wander along the boardwalk to the end of the outcrop to appreciate the nearly 360′ views from this spot! Perched on a hill between the two valleys you can see the river Wye perfectly wind it’s way through the landscape below. It’s also a well known location for spotting some impressive birds of prey including Peregrine Falcons, Goshawks, Ospreys and Sparrowhawks!
Once you’ve taken in the view why not take a fairly short (but steep) walk down to the village of Symonds Yat below where several lovely pubs can be found on the banks of the river. Perfect for a refreshing pint before your climb back up (or down! Depending on where you choose to start from).
For a longer walk you can follow the trail from Symonds Yat right alongside the river towards the market town of Monmouth. Stopping off at the Biblin’s Suspension Bridge along your way (a travel guide for which is on it’s way shortly).
How to get there…
The postcode for Yat Rock is GL16 7NZ. It’s situated around 10 minutes off the A40 dual carriageway and around twenty minutes from Ross on Wye and Monmouth.
There is parking at the Forestry England site itself providing easy access. The car park is pay and display and is open from 8am until 9pm in summer and closes slightly earlier during winter months. Parking for up to two hours is £3 in summer or £2 in winter (they have separate rates for larger vehicles and motorhomes). This is a large car park which doesn’t have a height limit, there are also picnic benches in the forest and toilet facilities making it a good stop off.
Alternatively you can park down in the village of Symonds Yat East (HR9 6JL) and follow the trail up behind the Royal Lodge to Yat Rock. There are car parks at both ends both of which have a minimum charge of £4 and (on my last few visits) only accept coin payments so make sure if you plan to park in the village you have some change handy! There is no height limit on these car parks however but it can get very busy and the access road is quite narrow, particularly to the car park next to the Royal Lodge so personally I would avoid this in a larger vehicle.
If you are happy with a longer walk and would rather not pay for parking, you can park on the Monmouth side of the trail along the river Wye (see details in the wild camping section below) and follow the path to Symonds Yat.
Nearest places to grab a bite…
Yat Rock itself has a cafe on-site which can be found at the top of the car park, near to the viewpoint, offering a range of drinks, snacks and sandwiches.
There is also a lovely pub called The Saracens Head Inn which can be found in the village of Symonds Yat below offering both a lunch and dinner menu. Their food is lovely and I have eaten here many times!
Where to stay…
If you would like to enjoy this beautiful area for a little longer:
Wild Camping (NP25 3NH) – Whilst it’s not possible to stay overnight at the car parks next to Symonds Yat there is a lovely free parking area (mentioned earlier) just outside the town of Monmouth at the end of Hadnock Road.
Nestled in the woods alongside the river its a lovely quiet and peaceful spot! It’s also right at the start of the Peregrine trail leading to Symonds Yat (around a four mile walk). This flat trail follows the old train track, several ruins of which can be found along the way. It’s also a popular route with cyclists and is a well marked level trail.
Campsite goers – If you’re happier under canvas or prefer the facilities that come with a campsite Doward Park Campsite and Steretts Campsite can both be found nearby.
Hotels and B&B’s – The Saracens Head Inn mentioned earlier offer B&B accommodation. The Old Court Hotel also offer rooms nearby.
Other places nearby…
The Wye Valley offers so many places to explore including forest, castles and abbeys. The historic market towns of Monmouth and Hereford are also lovely places that are definitely worth a visit!
A paddle along the river wye is a lovely way to see the area and there are several companies offering canoe hire nearby.
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Today I’ll be giving you the lowdown on the stunning spot along the North Devon coastline called the Valley of the Rocks. You may have seen me post about this on my Instagram recently, it’s a place I discovered only a couple of weeks ago and really wish I’d known about sooner!
What it’s all about…
The Valley of the Rocks is an impressive section of coastline situated within the Exmoor National Park. A steep valley runs parallel to the cliffs and is home to some really impressive geology, some even more impressive views and a very cute herd of feral goats.
I don’t know about you but cute animals and stunning views = my idea of heaven!
What to do while you’re there…
Take a walk along the winding coast path right on the edge of the cliffs, it’s an easy stroll from the car parks located in the valley and the paths are well maintained. There are plenty of benches for perfect picnic spots. Soak up the views and take a look at the impressive rock formations; some of which appear so precariously balanced I wonder how they’re still standing!
Whilst you’re enjoying the views see if you can spot the goats that have called this valley their home for hundreds of years and can often be seen clambering about on the sheer cliff face.
For those of you that are more able footed and feeling a little like mountain goats yourselves, you can climb to the top of one of the rock stacks at the Western end of the valley for some truly incredible views.
If you prefer a slightly longer walk why not start in the seaside town of Lynton situated about a mile further down the coast, you can join the South West coast path here which leads you right to the valley.
How to get there…
The postcode for the valley is EX35 6JH and it’s situated about 30 minutes from Barnstaple or just over an hour from junction 27 of the M5.
There are three carparks in the valley itself, all of which are pay and display between the hours of 10am and 6pm. However, unlike some tourist hotspots, they are very reasonably priced at £1 for an hour or £2.20 for two hours. We parked in the “Upper Valley Car Park” which has handy larger designated parking spaces for motorhomes, none of the car parks in the valley have height limits.
If you’re planning to park in Lynton and walk to the valley, there are multiple parking options in the town including Castle Hill car park (EX35 6JD) which again is chargeable between 10am and 6pm and does not have a height limit.
If you fancy a longer walk and would rather not pay for parking, you can park above Lynmouth (see details in the wild camping section below) and walk along the coast path from there.
Nearest places to grab a bite…
Feeling peckish after your climb? The valley itself has a tearoom called Mother Meldrum’s Tea Gardens, I didn’t try it out on my visit but they offer a range of home cooked food and drink options and have some good reviews.
Where to stay…
For those of you that fancy sticking around a bit longer:
Wild camping – As many of you know I’m a sucker for a free parkup, preferably with a beautiful view. The car parks in the valley indicate that no overnight camping is allowed, however there are several gorgeous spots locally.
EX35 6NE – This park up is under 4 miles to the East of the valley above Lynmouth there is a decent sized park up with no restrictions and lovely views. It can be found just off the A39 on the left hand side when travelling from Lynmouth.
This spot is set nicely off the road and backs right onto the coast path which is frequently visited by the Exmoor ponies and deer. As mentioned earlier you can walk straight from here along the South West coast path to the Valley of the Rocks.
EX31 4QU – This parkup to the West is only 2.5 miles from the valley and again in a beautiful coastal spot, it has nicer sea views than the spot above Lynmouth and is closer to the coast but further from a pub! It can be found on the corner where the road connecting the A39 joins Berry Ground Lane.
Please be aware if you are travelling in a larger vehicle or van the road between here and the valley is very narrow with lots of low branches, I would strongly recommend taking the longer route further inland, I nearly got stuck in my MWB Sprinter which was rather entertaining (and stressful!) so best avoided.
The only downside with both these spots, as with all coastal views, is that they can be very windy.
Campsite goers – If you’re happier under canvas or prefer the facilities that come with a campsite Sunny Lyn Holiday Park and Caffyns Farm are both nearby.
Hotels and B&B’s – Both Lynton and Lynmouth have a range of accommodation options including Orchard House hotel in Lynmouth and The North Cliff hotel in Lynton which for those of you travelling with your furry companions, is also dog friendly!
Other places nearby…
The North Devon coastline is full of hidden gems.
Lynton and Lynmouth, Woolacombe, Porlock and the Exmoor National Park can all be found within easy reach of here and are lovely places to visit.
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