Pounds Farm is an ideal base for touring the west country - with good transport links enabling day trips to many sites of natural and historic interest and with many opportunities to experience local traditions.

If you love gardens, Cothay Manor, Knightshayes Court, Killerton gardens, Barrington Court, Forde Abbey, Burrow Farm and Hestercombe Gardens are all nearby.

A day out could take you to the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Just downstream on the river Culm, Coldharbour Mill is a working woollen mill.

Try drifting down the nearby Tiverton Canal on a horse drawn Barge.

The donkey sanctuary near Sidmouth is not far and is a must for animal lovers.

Take to the skies and see the beautiful Devon countryside from up high as it stretches towards both North and south coasts. Try a trial flight with Devon and Somerset Flight Training or drop with a parachute from Dunkeswell with Sky Dive UK.

Go gliding from North Hill or float over fields and treetops in a hot air balloon. Go Off Road 4x4 driving at the Land Rover Experience centre at Awliscombe or we can help you get in a go-kart or jump on a quad bike.

Watch banger racing or horse racing, a polo match or a village cricket match.

There is a sense of calm and timelessness in the Blackdown Hills which provides inspiration for a wide range of artists and crafts people living and working in the area. See www.bhaam.org.uk. Try a workshop nearby at The Old Kennels. Courses available include; glass bead making, working with silver, basket making and wood carving.

If you are feeling energetic, play golf at the Otter Valley Golf Centre www.otter-golf.co.uk Oake Manor or Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Courses, or explore the finest prehistoric Iron Age hill fort in Devon at Hembury, one of The Times Online 20 Great British walks.

Maybe go trout fishing at Hollies Trout Farm where you can even have your catch smoked.

Enjoy a ride through the countryside on a steam train, to the seaside town of Minehead. The West Somerset Railway offer lunch or dinner on board.

Visit a village fete, a local gymkhana or a country show. Go for a butterfly walk or watch a hedge layer demonstrate his skill. See blackdown-hills.net.

Sample fresh, natural Blackdown Hills foods. Many villages and local towns hold farmers markets, including Wellington (5 miles) and Taunton (12 miles). This is Somerset’s County Town and is also known for its museum and county cricket ground. In Devon, Cullompton and Honiton both have markets. Honiton is also famous for lace and antique shops (9 miles). Enjoy our local beer and music festival.

Visit the castle and museum at Tiverton (12 miles) on the edge of Exmoor, the Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton or go shopping at Clarks Village.

Take a climb up to the Tor at Glastonbury and survey the Somerset Levels (15 miles). Gaze up at the gorge and pick up some cheese while at Cheddar or visit the Cathedral cities of Wells and Exeter (20 miles)

Follow the South Coast: To the pretty seaside villages of Beer and Branscombe and on to fossil hunting or mackerel fishing at Lyme Regis, or go west to enjoy folk singing on the seafront at Sidmouth.

Great for a sunny day, laze upon the two mile stretch of golden sand at Exmouth.

These are all part of the recently designated Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site.

Take a trip to the North Coast and surf off the golden sandy beaches of Croyde Bay, Saunton or Woolacombe. Take the funicular railway at Lynton or go bird watching at Porlock. We are within reach of the South West Coastal Path as it meanders along the North coast of Devon and Somerset and along the south coast of Devon and Dorset.

Finally, enjoy the spectacular scenery and experience the wild beauty of Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks.

It would our pleasure to help you to plan your days out.

Guest reviews

Thank you for letting us share your beautiful home for a week and for such a warm welcome. We didn’t want to go home! We will be back.
Mr and Mrs H, Durrington, Wiltshire

Thanks for a lovely couple of nights stay. We live in a holiday village and know what good hospitality takes and this had it all.
Mr and Mrs C, Cadgwith, Cornwall

Thank you for your friendly welcome to your cosy home. We enjoyed the tours to the coast and the beautiful gardens recommended by you.
Mr and Mrs L, Viersen, Germany

>> top