River's Reach - places, activities and eating out
Villages, towns and cities - within a 15 mile radius
I have listed below the villages, town and city within a short drive. Further afield in Devon and Cornwall there are hundreds of places of interest including cities like Exeter on the Exe with its magnificent cathedral, estuary based elegant Fowey and pretty Noss Mayo, seaside resorts such as Torquay and Bude with great surfing, old fishing villages like Port Isaac (of Doc Martin fame), Clovelly with its picturesque steep lanes, Brixham still retaining a fishing fleet, and the many many inland and coastal towns and villages which have something to offer the visitor.....far too many to list here.
Tavistock an ancient stannary and market town within West Devon, England is situated on the River Tavy from which its name derives. The first historical record is from 961 AD with the founding of an abbey whose ruins can still be seen. Later additions such as the Abbey walls still run beside the Tavy where there is a beautiful walk to the centre from one of the main parking areas. The Museum (opposite the Tourst Information Office) housed in the ancient Abbey Gatehouse provides a wealth of information on the town's history particularly its role in the tin industry (hence its designation as a stannary town) and the wider mining copper industries whcih opened up in the 18th and 19th centuries. Much of the town's buildings such as the Town Hall were built in the Victorian era in the style of the ancient abbey ruins with money donated by the Duke of Bedford on whose land much of the copper mining was carried out.
This is a thriving elegant town with a vibrant centre, a variety of shops, a central Pannier Market with a variety of stalls, (well worth a visit) and Butcher's Hall where events are held. A Farmer's market is held on the central Bedford Square on 2nd, 4th and 5th of each month. There is a range of places to eat including cafes, restaurants and take-aways. The large park running alongside the ancient canal houses tennis and swimming facilities
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Tavistock
Tavistock an ancient stannary and market town within West Devon, England is situated on the River Tavy from which its name derives. The first historical record is from 961 AD with the founding of an abbey whose ruins can still be seen. Later additions such as the Abbey walls still run beside the Tavy where there is a beautiful walk to the centre from one of the main parking areas. The Museum (opposite the Tourst Information Office) housed in the ancient Abbey Gatehouse provides a wealth of information on the town's history particularly its role in the tin industry (hence its designation as a stannary town) and the wider mining copper industries whcih opened up in the 18th and 19th centuries. Much of the town's buildings such as the Town Hall were built in the Victorian era in the style of the ancient abbey ruins with money donated by the Duke of Bedford on whose land much of the copper mining was carried out.
This is a thriving elegant town with a vibrant centre, a variety of shops, a central Pannier Market with a variety of stalls, (well worth a visit) and Butcher's Hall where events are held. A Farmer's market is held on the central Bedford Square on 2nd, 4th and 5th of each month. There is a range of places to eat including cafes, restaurants and take-aways. The large park running alongside the ancient canal houses tennis and swimming facilities
The “ocean city” cannot fail to impress with its natural harbours, inlets and views out to sea. After the bombing in WWII aimed at the Naval dockyards which destroyed much of the city public sector housing was of necessity hastily erected and the sixties saw some brutal architecture created (some of which is now being demolished) but the stunning topography of Plymouth wins out.
Visit the old city – the Barbican - https://www.barbicanwaterfront.com/ - where besides dropping in to the old Plymouth Gin Distillery you can wander amongst the shops in quaint little lanes and see the spot from which the Plymouth Brethren started for America. There is a great fish and chip place on the quay but if sitting outside be careful a gull does not swoop down for a chip or six. There is a largish parking area just along from the Barbican waterfront (in the sea direction) on your right, below which Plymouth Cruises - https://www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/ - and ferries can be booked (to see the Dockyards, cruise up the Tamar etc).
A footbridge takes you from the Barbican across a small harbour to the National Marine Aquarium - https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/ - the UK’s largest aquarium.
Seawards from the Barbican is The Citadel, a dramatic 17th century fortress built to defend the coastline from the Dutch and keep watch on a recently rebellious town. It is still in use by the military today so available tours can get cancelled. For guidance about restrictions for entry, for instance children under 7 years old are not allowed, see - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/royal-citadel-plymouth/.
Rounding the walls of The Citadel you are on the road below the Hoe (some but not much parking hereabouts). The Hoe a large open stretch of land bordered by elegant 18th century housing, houses Smeaton’s Tower a red striped lighthouse built out at sea on Eddystone reef in 1759 and now an iconic symbol of Plymouth; you get fantastic views of Plymouth Sound from the top but currently as at Aug 2021 it is closed. Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls on the Hoe in 1588 when news of the sighting of the Spanish Armada reached him and he announced that there was "time to finish the game and lick the Spaniards too!"
Further along the estuary (the Hamoaze) is the Royal William Yard - https://royalwilliamyard.com/ - (to which you can drive or take a ferry from the Barbican). Built between 1825 and 1931 to house food and provisions or victuals for the whole of the British Navy, it is considered to be one of the most important groups of historic buildings in Britain and the largest collection of Grade 1 Listed military buildings in Europe. It is now an award winning conversion offering apartments, shops, galleries restaurants etc. If nothing else it is well worth a visit to see the impressive architecture. There is extensive parking but it is not cheap.
From the Cremyll ferry a few hundred yards from Royal William Yard (with small free car park) you can take the 5 minute ferry across the Hamoaze to Mount Edgcumbe - (https://www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk/) - once the seat of the local landowning Edgcumbe family, now owned by Plymouth Council. It is a large country park set beside the water and the land faces both the estuary and out to sea with extensive formal gardens, the historic Orangery where you can snack or lunch (inside and out), historic gun emplacements, beautiful gardens, pleasant beach area, large stretches of woodland. You can go over the house (rebuilt after bombing) but for most the views are the main attraction. From the Park if you are a good walker you can walk to Rame Headland beyond the Plymouth breakwater.
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Plymouth
The “ocean city” cannot fail to impress with its natural harbours, inlets and views out to sea. After the bombing in WWII aimed at the Naval dockyards which destroyed much of the city public sector housing was of necessity hastily erected and the sixties saw some brutal architecture created (some of which is now being demolished) but the stunning topography of Plymouth wins out.
Visit the old city – the Barbican - https://www.barbicanwaterfront.com/ - where besides dropping in to the old Plymouth Gin Distillery you can wander amongst the shops in quaint little lanes and see the spot from which the Plymouth Brethren started for America. There is a great fish and chip place on the quay but if sitting outside be careful a gull does not swoop down for a chip or six. There is a largish parking area just along from the Barbican waterfront (in the sea direction) on your right, below which Plymouth Cruises - https://www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/ - and ferries can be booked (to see the Dockyards, cruise up the Tamar etc).
A footbridge takes you from the Barbican across a small harbour to the National Marine Aquarium - https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/ - the UK’s largest aquarium.
Seawards from the Barbican is The Citadel, a dramatic 17th century fortress built to defend the coastline from the Dutch and keep watch on a recently rebellious town. It is still in use by the military today so available tours can get cancelled. For guidance about restrictions for entry, for instance children under 7 years old are not allowed, see - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/royal-citadel-plymouth/.
Rounding the walls of The Citadel you are on the road below the Hoe (some but not much parking hereabouts). The Hoe a large open stretch of land bordered by elegant 18th century housing, houses Smeaton’s Tower a red striped lighthouse built out at sea on Eddystone reef in 1759 and now an iconic symbol of Plymouth; you get fantastic views of Plymouth Sound from the top but currently as at Aug 2021 it is closed. Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls on the Hoe in 1588 when news of the sighting of the Spanish Armada reached him and he announced that there was "time to finish the game and lick the Spaniards too!"
Further along the estuary (the Hamoaze) is the Royal William Yard - https://royalwilliamyard.com/ - (to which you can drive or take a ferry from the Barbican). Built between 1825 and 1931 to house food and provisions or victuals for the whole of the British Navy, it is considered to be one of the most important groups of historic buildings in Britain and the largest collection of Grade 1 Listed military buildings in Europe. It is now an award winning conversion offering apartments, shops, galleries restaurants etc. If nothing else it is well worth a visit to see the impressive architecture. There is extensive parking but it is not cheap.
From the Cremyll ferry a few hundred yards from Royal William Yard (with small free car park) you can take the 5 minute ferry across the Hamoaze to Mount Edgcumbe - (https://www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk/) - once the seat of the local landowning Edgcumbe family, now owned by Plymouth Council. It is a large country park set beside the water and the land faces both the estuary and out to sea with extensive formal gardens, the historic Orangery where you can snack or lunch (inside and out), historic gun emplacements, beautiful gardens, pleasant beach area, large stretches of woodland. You can go over the house (rebuilt after bombing) but for most the views are the main attraction. From the Park if you are a good walker you can walk to Rame Headland beyond the Plymouth breakwater.
Bere Ferrers is the only other and much smaller village (besides Bere Alston) in the Bere Peninsula. It is both the name of the civil parish that includes Bere Alston and various other settlements scattered around the Bere Peninsula and the village of Bere Ferrers. The village itself stretches in a single long line of houses descending to the water’s edge from where you have a spectacular view across the Tavy estuary. Hard by the waterfront is the ancient St. Andrews Parish church built between 1290 and 1340 which contains the oldest stained glass window (600 years old) in Devon (excluding Exeter Cathedral). Just down from the church below the war memorial is the Olde Plough Inn, a lovely old family-run pub with inscribed slate floors possibly destined to be gravestones, a friendly vibe, good food freshly cooked and a pleasant garden. Like Bere Alston it has a railway station on the scenic Tamar Valley Line which gets you to Plymouth in about 12 minutes. Beside the station is the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre with exhibits from a bygone railway age.
Bere Ferrers
Bere Ferrers is the only other and much smaller village (besides Bere Alston) in the Bere Peninsula. It is both the name of the civil parish that includes Bere Alston and various other settlements scattered around the Bere Peninsula and the village of Bere Ferrers. The village itself stretches in a single long line of houses descending to the water’s edge from where you have a spectacular view across the Tavy estuary. Hard by the waterfront is the ancient St. Andrews Parish church built between 1290 and 1340 which contains the oldest stained glass window (600 years old) in Devon (excluding Exeter Cathedral). Just down from the church below the war memorial is the Olde Plough Inn, a lovely old family-run pub with inscribed slate floors possibly destined to be gravestones, a friendly vibe, good food freshly cooked and a pleasant garden. Like Bere Alston it has a railway station on the scenic Tamar Valley Line which gets you to Plymouth in about 12 minutes. Beside the station is the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre with exhibits from a bygone railway age.
Sightseeing and activities - within a 15 mile radius
There are many attractive places to visit and activities to take part in - River's Reach being on the Devon/Cornwall border the South West is your oyster! There are wonderful beaches in tiny bays or large stretches of windswept beaches such as Widemouth Bay on the north coast where you can swim, surf etc , fishing villages like Brixham which still has a fishing fleet, estuary towns like elegant Fowey on the Cornish south coast and Topsham near Exeter or popular resorts like Looe in Corwall, Torbay in Devon to name just a few. Inland, Dartmoor and Bodmin moors' rugged landscapes provide contrast with, for instance, the wooded hills of the Tamar valley where we are.
There is so much to see and do that I have limited attractions here to those within 15 miles. Booklets and handouts for other places are available at River's Reach.
If you are a family, a group of friends the TTC on the border with Cornwall has much to offer. It is the hub for a network of trails and outdoor activities in this unique Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty part of the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. The venue houses a cafe, heritage centre, and facilities and outdoor activities for group adventures and family days out. Tree Surfing, archery, bike hire, mountain biking and canoe trips are on offer and the trails are available to anyone who just wants to walk in beautiful surroundings..
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Tamar Trails Centre
If you are a family, a group of friends the TTC on the border with Cornwall has much to offer. It is the hub for a network of trails and outdoor activities in this unique Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty part of the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. The venue houses a cafe, heritage centre, and facilities and outdoor activities for group adventures and family days out. Tree Surfing, archery, bike hire, mountain biking and canoe trips are on offer and the trails are available to anyone who just wants to walk in beautiful surroundings..
Now a National Trust property Cotehele was previously owned by the Edgcumbe family landowners of much of the land alongside the Tamar. The atmospheric Tudor building with mediaeval roots is arranged around a courtyard and the interior rooms are clothed in impressive tapestries. Particularly fascinating is the kitchen's wall sign dictating the many and often harsh house rules that the servants had to adhere to and the spy hole above the main hall through which members of the family could check on visitors . The 14 acres of stunning and varied gardens are not to be missed and you can fortify yourself in the NT cafe part way through.
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Cotehele House
Now a National Trust property Cotehele was previously owned by the Edgcumbe family landowners of much of the land alongside the Tamar. The atmospheric Tudor building with mediaeval roots is arranged around a courtyard and the interior rooms are clothed in impressive tapestries. Particularly fascinating is the kitchen's wall sign dictating the many and often harsh house rules that the servants had to adhere to and the spy hole above the main hall through which members of the family could check on visitors . The 14 acres of stunning and varied gardens are not to be missed and you can fortify yourself in the NT cafe part way through.
Food scene - within a 15 mile radius
There are a variety of places to dine out within a 15 mile radius ranging from fine dining in places like The Horn of Plenty, Lewtrenchard Manor, Hotel Endsleigh, Langmans Restaurant to friendly "gastro" pubs including the nearest - The Olde Plough at Bere Ferrers.
The nearest cafe is the Yard Cafe at the Weir Quay Boatyard - open 10-4 Thurs to Sun, 10 - 8 Friday .
In Tavistock there are a variety of cafes including the newly opened Plym Street Cafe
Set in 100 acres of woodland, rolling hills, and overlooking the Tamar River Endsleigh, once the hunting and fishing lodge of the Duke of Bedford is a peaceful oasis where the only noises are birdsong. Alex Polizzi of The Hotel Inspector fame manages the hotel and I don't think you will be disappointed. You can enjoy fine dining in the beautiful interiors, sit in the sun on the terrace and enjoy the spectacular views with a scrumptious tea or wander off to discover some of Sir Humphrey Repton's follies and grottoes.
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Hotel Endsleigh
Set in 100 acres of woodland, rolling hills, and overlooking the Tamar River Endsleigh, once the hunting and fishing lodge of the Duke of Bedford is a peaceful oasis where the only noises are birdsong. Alex Polizzi of The Hotel Inspector fame manages the hotel and I don't think you will be disappointed. You can enjoy fine dining in the beautiful interiors, sit in the sun on the terrace and enjoy the spectacular views with a scrumptious tea or wander off to discover some of Sir Humphrey Repton's follies and grottoes.
The Drake Manor Inn never fails to provide good, freshly made pub food in portions to fill the hungriest mouths . The old inn is just what you want from a historic country pub - low beamed ceilings, interesting artefacts, woodburner and that cosy feeling. The staff are friendly and helpful and it is well attended by locals. You can also sit out in a small but very pleasant garden
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Drake Manor Inn
The VillageThe Drake Manor Inn never fails to provide good, freshly made pub food in portions to fill the hungriest mouths . The old inn is just what you want from a historic country pub - low beamed ceilings, interesting artefacts, woodburner and that cosy feeling. The staff are friendly and helpful and it is well attended by locals. You can also sit out in a small but very pleasant garden
This is the nearest pub with food to River's Reach. You can take a nice scenic walk of around 3 miles along the Tamar estuary, turn inland following the road uphill and down and end up in the quiet village of Bere Ferrers which overlooks the wide Tavy estuary. The Olde Plough Inn is a charming family run very friendly country pub with low beamed ceilings, slate floors and pretty garden attached. The food is good freshly cooked local produce enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
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The Olde Plough Inn
Fore StreetThis is the nearest pub with food to River's Reach. You can take a nice scenic walk of around 3 miles along the Tamar estuary, turn inland following the road uphill and down and end up in the quiet village of Bere Ferrers which overlooks the wide Tavy estuary. The Olde Plough Inn is a charming family run very friendly country pub with low beamed ceilings, slate floors and pretty garden attached. The food is good freshly cooked local produce enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.