Sticklepath is on the excellent Tarka Trail, so leave the car behind and explore the countryside by foot or bicycle. The trail is named after the beloved British literary character “Tarka the Otter”, and the rural scenery and absence of traffic will take you back to a more peaceful era when people had time to slow down and appreciate the beauty surrounding them. The National Trust care for a variety of properties in the area, including the 19th-Century water-powered Finch Foundry forge in the village. In addition to a village shop and two welcoming pubs, Sticklepath also has a fantastic cafe where you can enjoy a relaxed brunch or afternoon tea.
Despite its quiet sense of peace, Sticklepath is easy to reach, being only two miles from the A30. The cathedral city of Exeter is less than half an hour’s drive from the cottage, with centuries of history together with contemporary shops and restaurants and a lively music and nightlife thanks to the university population. Closer to home, Okehampton is a bustling town with a great variety of shops where you can stock up for a self-catering cottage holiday in Dartmoor.
If the sun is shining and you fancy a day at the beach you can choose from the coast at Exmouth, Sidmouth, Bude, Bideford and Plymouth, all of which are an hour’s drive or less. You do not have to travel far to enjoy a fun day out when you stay at The Acorns, as there are wonderful walks alongside the Taw River, through Skaigh Woods and across open moorland, all of which are accessible virtually from the front door. Golf and horseriding are two more ways to experience the beautiful surroundings, while Dartmoor’s granite tors attract keen climbers from around the country.