Hill View Farm

Keen to go out in search of carp? Anglers Paradise (five minutes' drive/20 minutes' walk) has an array of well-stocked lakes where you can try and catch a whopper. Roadford Lake (20 minutes) – a reservoir in the stunning Wolf Valley that’s surrounded by woodland, pastures and orchards – is another popular waterside haunt. See what's rustling in the reeds at its bird hide, take yourself off on a lakeside stroll or tuck into something tasty at the café. The depths of Dartmoor National Park are about half an hour's drive away – make sure to trek up at least one of its impressive tors (the views will outweigh any effort expended on the way up) and admire the waterfalls on the Canonteign Estate (an hour). On the northern edge of the national park, Okehampton Castle (20 minutes), up on a forested hill above the town, is a motte and bailey castle that history buffs won't want to miss. Bude's bevy of beaches (half an hour) are also within range, where you'll have the choice between safe, kid-friendly sands and quieter Cornish coves.