Lurley Hideaways

Tiverton (five minutes’ drive) is a historic market town with lots of independent shops to browse, plus walks along the River Exe for the stretching of legs and paws, and a romantic castle with a Jacobean interior to explore – it’s still privately owned and open Thursday and Sunday afternoons in summer. For something that bit different, you can time-travel back a century or so and take a horse-drawn barge trip along the Grand Western Canal from Tiverton Wharf (10 minutes). The wild moorland, woodland valleys and coastal views of Exmoor National Park (25 minutes) are within easy reach; the park has all manner of hiking and cycling trails through the dramatic landscapes. Dartmoor National Park (40 minutes) is another haven for outdoorsy types, with rugged tors to summit, scenic walking and biking routes and opportunities to spot Dartmoor ponies. When you fancy a day at the beach, take your pick from some of north Devon's top sandy spots – Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay and Woolacombe are all around an hour's drive away, and popular for swimming and surfing.