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“Our holiday turned to a unique adventure for each and every generation as we found so much on offer” Richards family - York 2019

Itinerary Planner

Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat

Quirky beach huts, private hot tubs and stunning coastal views await you at a resort which has well…

Dining at Saunton Sands Hotel

The Dining Room The Dining Room at Saunton with its AA-rosette status and enviable views of…

Barnstaple Hotel Brasserie

With its contemporary styling and light, airy feel, their Brasserie has an atmosphere that is all…

Tarka Trail North Devon

The Tarka Trail is one of the country's longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths, and forms part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route.

Follow in Tarka’s footsteps

Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel ‘Tarka the Otter’, this 163 miles/261kms recreation route follows Tarka’s journey in a figure of eight, through the northern part of the county. The route can be followed on foot or by bike and is a fabulous way for the whole family to visit some of the places mentioned in the original novel.

The Trail takes you through an ever-changing variety of some of the wonderful Devon scenery described in the book, including tranquil countryside, wooded river valleys, rugged moorland and dramatic coast and is a wonderful and sustainable way to explore this area.

Comprehensively waymarked, the walk varies from easy to challenging and there are plenty of different routes for you to take making it a new adventure every single time. Short sections of the trail and circular walks from it are ideal for day and half-day excursions. The terrain is a mixture, with some challenging sections and some flat, off road sections, making it suitable for a wide range of visitors.

Where to pick up the route

The entire route is centered around the town of Barnstaple, the largest town in the region and takes in areas of Exmoor, the Valley of the Rocks and the coastline. If the town is mentioned in the book, you can likely access it along the trail as many of the locations featured in the original novel are real life places. You can pick up the route at various points across the county, the Trail passes through the towns of Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe and parts of it coincide with the South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way and the Dartmoor Way, giving you plenty of chances to explore. There are also a number of short circular routes that are located alongside the main north and south Tarka Trail route which are designed to take a couple of hours, allowing you to explore the villages and points of interest along the trail while not spending all day.

The trail has a north loop that runs from Barnstaple through to the areas of Braunton, Croyde, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin and Lynmouth and then returning to Barnstaple.
Alternatively, the south loop runs from Barnstaple through to Bideford, where you can find Hatherleigh, Okehampton, North Tawnton and Eggesford. You can then return to Barnstaple using the Tarka Line train.

Facilities

When planning a trip to the Tarka Trail, make sure to take note of the facilities along the route. You’ll find shops, restaurants, pubs and public toilets at all the towns and villages along the route as well as places to stay. Some of the towns also have defibrillators and access to health care professionals, should you need medical assistance during your visit.

Check the local listings for the public transport times for journeys along the Tarka Line.

For more information on the Tarka Trail, including maps, routes and the various points where you can join the trail, visit the official site, https://www.tarkatrail.org.uk/

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Number of results: 89

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 854 review(s)
The Royal & Fortescue Hotel

Barnstaple

Once an ancient coaching inn, this sophisticated, luxury hotel retains its historic charm whilst offering all the modern comforts you’d expect. Located in the centre of…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 1182 review(s)
The Park Hotel

Barnstaple

Following a multi-million-pound redevelopment, The Park, part of the Brent Hotels group, is North Devon’s exciting hub for visitors and locals alike. The glamourous…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 398 review(s)
Affinity Devon

Bideford

Affinity Devon is North Devon’s unique outlet shopping village. With over 30 stores offering up to 50% off rrp every day including Nike, GAP and Clarks you’ll find a huge…
Varley House

Ilfracombe

Rod and Helen Chatfield offer you a warm welcome, old world charm and home comforts on your stay at Varley House.
Varley House was built at the beginning of the 20th…
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway

Lynmouth

The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is the UK's only fully water powered railway and bronze winner of Devon's Large Attraction of the Year 2018. Built in 1888, it remains…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 94 review(s)
West Down Guest House

Umberleigh

West Down is an AA award winning farm guest house providing superb dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in Glorious North Devon. Optional superb home cooked evening meals…
Corffe House & Holiday Cottages

Barnstaple

Nestled in the beautiful North Devon countryside, the Corffe Estate provides an ideal base for family holidays, short breaks and work stopovers. Located on the outskirts of…
Robin Hill Farm Cottages

Bideford

You will find us at the end of our half mile private lane, surrounded by fields of rolling North Devon countryside with stunning views over the unspoilt, hidden and peaceful…
$Ilfracombe Princess$

$Add Ilfracombe Princess to your Itinerary$
Ilfracombe Princess

Quay Road, Ilfracombe

We operate Ilfracombe’s largest passenger vessel and have been running coastal cruises for over 20 years. Our team have a wealth of knowledge and a lifetime of experience on…
Wildersmouth Beach

Ilfracombe

This ancient cove was a popular bay for smugglers. High sided cliffs drop down to a small rocky bay with shingle and sand. This bay is sheltered and peaceful.
Lynmouth Beach

Lynmouth

Image Credit - Jill Turner

Surrounded by the spectacular wooded hills of Exmoor National Park Lynmouth offers some of the best cliff top drives and walks around…
$Ilfracombe Aquarium$

$Add Ilfracombe Aquarium to your Itinerary$
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 756 review(s)
Ilfracombe Aquarium

Ilfracombe Harbour, Ilfracombe

*LOCAL AQUATIC EXHIBITS *PIER CAFÉ WITH HARBOUR VIEW DECK *FUNKY FISH GIFT SHOP*
Established since 2001, this exciting, award winning, all weather, family attraction is…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 72 review(s)
Torridge House Farm Cottages

Torrington

Feel at home in the peace, tranquillity and comfort of a unique experience
Nestling in the rolling hills and wooded valleys of glorious North Devon countryside in Tarka,…
Moreton House

Bideford

Newly open for the 2019 season, Moreton House offers luxurious self-catering apartments within a beautiful grade-II listed Georgian country house. With flexible layouts that…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
from 45 review(s)
Smytham Holiday Park

Torrington

Smytham is a family run picturesque holiday park, set in 33 acres of parkland of a 17th century manor house countryside.
The tranquil grounds are part open and part…
North Devon Farm Holidays

Get away from the strain of everyday life, walk across the beautiful countryside, visit the sea or simply enjoy the stunning views that North Devon has to offer and as we…
Cobbaton Combat Collection

Umberleigh

Cobbaton Combat Collection is a military museum and tourist attraction comprising of a personal collection of military artefacts. This collection, based in North Devon,…
Bampfield Farm Cottages

Barnstaple

Bampfield Farm Cottages are where holiday memories are made, set in acres of rolling hills on a working family farm, this is the perfect base for your holiday. Bampfield Farm…
Watermouth Bay

Ilfracombe

Watermouth cove offers a very sheltered secluded harbour shielded by the natural breakwater of Sexton's Burrows as well as picture-perfect views.
This has created an…
The Proper Marmalade Company

Ilfracombe

All our marmalades are 100% handmade locally from fresh fruit, simmered until the peel is soft before boiling to a set with sugar. In our opinion, this is the only way to…

Itinerary Planner

Tarka Trail North Devon

Follow in Tarka’s footsteps

Where to pick up the route

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