Farmer Oak's Hut

This part of Devon has plenty for visitors to explore, from Tavistock (20 minutes' drive) and its far-famed panier market to Launceston Castle (20 minutes), a ruined English Heritage fortress with a 13th-century keep. Both Tavistock and Launceston are also popular centres for shopping, with a good spread of boutiques and independent shops; if you want to visit bigger outlets, Plymouth can be reached in about 50 minutes. Dartmoor National Park begins approximately seven miles from site in Lydford (15 minutes), home to a castle and a pretty gorge with a 30-metre waterfall. The National Park has plenty of opportunities for hiking, as does Bodmin Moor (20 minutes), a remote expanse of countryside that can be reached along the main road in about 20 minutes. For a day by the coast, you could head to the sandy beaches of north Cornwall at Bude (45 minutes) or Boscastle (40 minutes). Alternatively, stay inland for fishing at Roadford Lake (15 minutes) or exploring the five major National Trust properties within a 30-mile radius.