sign in sign up
<<
Home , Croyde, Exmoor, Exmoor Group, Georgeham, Watermouth Castle

Adventures at Longlands Longlands has a boating lake and 2 skiffs: Oxford & Cambridge, so you can race around the island in your very own Boat Race! Each boat can take one adult and one child. Life jackets of varying sizes are provided.

There are stream walks and nature in our woods, and lots of sticks with which to practice den building. We have a number of outdoor games including petanque/boules, cricket, rounders and badmington, all of which can be played in the lakeside meadow. There is a football goal on the football field, a cricket net above it and a basketball & netball hoop near the Larder. So score a goal, hit a run or shoot a hoop!

Our streamside and woodland walks are very sheltered, so are excellent for rainy days. Bug hunt along the stream, discover animal tracks and perhaps even spot deer in the woods. Our shop is stocked with lots of adventure kits including Bug Hunting, Ponding dipping, spotting and even Den kits and kites!

Within the lodges themselves we have a box of favourite family games including Monopoly, Scrabble, Cluedo, Risk, Jengo, Dominoes, Uno & playing cards, and in the Larder you’ll find plenty of books to borrow. Next to the Longlands Larder there is a covered area with Table Tennis & Giant Jenga and within the shop itself there are colouring and activity books to provide endless entertainment even on the wettest of days.

Exmoor is the best place for stargazing in the UK, according to the Campaign for Dark Skies. In fact it is the first designated International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe - and Longlands looks directly on to it - Definitely worth staying up for on a clear night. Download the National Park Dark Skies Guide on exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/ environment/landscape/dark-skies/?a=164534 Adventures on Exmoor & North Walk, surf or swim at the award winning Beach. Its three and a half miles of beautiful golden sands are only 20 minutes away. For those who want to learn to surf, Hunter Surf provides wetsuits along with boards so no matter what the sea temperature you should be warm! And as a Longlands guest you can enjoy a 15% discount on any lesson price. Just call Enrique or Will on 01271 870543 for Surfing, Coasteering and Stand Up Paddling Boarding and tell them you are staying at Longlands and quote my name, Bella, as proof!

Alternatively, we have arranged an exclusive Surfing package for Longlands guests with Lyndon Wake Surf School in , including collection from & return to your lodge. A half day session with a 2 and half hour lesson, including equipment and a private instructor for the group is £50 per person, or for a full day with 2 surfing sessions or one surfing and one coasteer session, with lunch included between session is £90 per person. An fantastic opportunity, and you may even be lucky enough to be taught by Andrew Cotton, who recently surfed what was thought to be the largest wave ever at 80 feet! Call Lyndon on 01271 891200.

For those wanting an adventure with an adrenaline rush try Coasteering at Watermouth, Rock climbing & abseiling in the Valley of the Rocks or mountain biking along some of Exmoor’s 400 miles of bridleways. All these activities are provided by Exmoor Adventures. Call Dan on 07976 208279.

For a completely different view of the Coast take to the air on a Tandem Hang Glide with Fly Like a Bird. Most flights are over Woolacombe Beach with stunning views out to . Call Sam on 07875 247389.

If you would prefer to paddle along the coast line in a more reclined position then hire a Kayak from Surf Side in . A wonderful way to see explore the coast and perhaps even catch sight of Dave the Dolphin! Call Gary on 01271 883220. The Tarka , with its stunning views of the , is only minutes away from Longlands, and Heddon Valley, Watersmeet and Valley of the Rocks are not much further. We have numerous books full of local walks or maps of Exmoor walks that guests can borrow.

If you are a keen cyclist bring your bike and book a guided ride with Propello to enjoy stunning views, quiet roads, good food and a real sense of achievement, whatever your ability. on Exmoor and the surrounding area is a climber’s delight with numerous entries in the official 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs in Britain Guide. Exmoor is also home to the famous Exmoor Beauty & Exmoor Beast Cycle sportive, the newly created Smuggler sportive and a stage of the Tour of Wessex and Tour of Britain! To book a guided ride with a fully qualified Coach call Rob on 07779 136840

For more relaxed cycling the , along the and around Burrows, is a lovely flat family friendly cycle ride and Fremington Quay is a fantastic destination or half way point. Seriously good sandwiches & cakes, particularly if you’ve earned them from cycling miles! Bikes can be hired from Otter Bikes in Braunton (The Old Pottery, Station Road, EX33 2AQ). Call 01271 813339.

If you prefer your bike with an engine then try Quad biking! Quad Biking Devon caters for all ages from 6 years, for all abilities, and apparently “the wetter, the better!” Call 01271 862247.

Dean Riding Stables, just over the hill from Longlands, offer lessons or hacks over Exmoor. Call Tracey or Ashley on 01598 763565. To ride on Woolacombe beach and through the call Woolacombe Riding Stables on 01271 870260 deanridingstables.co.uk / woolacombe-ridingstables.co.uk

Take a Sea Safari and enjoy a totally different view of the North Devon coast. Spot a dolphin. Spy a seal. Bounce over some waves and zoom over the water. Call 01271 863398 ilfracombeseasafari.co.uk

Escape to the magical island of Lundy just a two hour boat ride from . Spot a puffin. Meet a Lundy pony. Take a walk and hunt for the Lundy Letterboxes. Admire the views. Enjoy a delicious meal & pint at the Marisco Tavern. Book a day trip by calling 01271 863636 landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland

Let us know if you would like us to book any of these activities for you before your arrival, as they may be booked up if you leave it until you get here. Dog Sitting Trudie Norman, one of the Longlands team, offers a dog sitting service if you need to leave your dog for a few hours or half day. Call her on 07792 536493. If you wish to leave your dog for a longer period call Shirley from Dog - Sitting on 07765 154549 or 01271 812340. Rainy Day Suggestions Exmoor Zoo (5miles): Meet the Beast of Exmoor and its babies(!), walk on the wildside, be a keeper for a day, feed the lemurs, meerkats and penguins. EX31 4SG / 01598 763352 / exmoorzoo.co.uk

The Wildlife and Dinosaur Park in Combe Martin (2miles): Swim with sea lions, feed the lions, shadow a keeper, or fly a bird of prey. EX34 0NG / 01271 882486 / wildlifedinosaurpark.co.uk

Arlington Court (4miles): Discover a house full of treasures and secrets, spy on rare horseshoe bats, enjoy a carriage ride and explore the Carriage museum. EX31 4LP / 01271 850296 / nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court

The Aquarium in Ilfracombe (9miles): Journey from an Exmoor stream to the without ever leaving the Old Lifeboat House. EX34 9EQ / 01271 864533. / ilfracombeaquarium.co.uk

Watermouth Castle Theme Park (5.5Miles): Descend into the dungeons, get lost in the Maze, marvel at the Watershow Extravaganza, get wet and wild in the water and adventure park. EX34 9SL / 01271 867474. / watermouthcastle.co.uk

Woody Bay Station (6.5miles): Enjoy the last narrow-gauge railway adventure and see the start of an immense restoration project to restore the legendary and Railway. A must for any small Thomas the Tank Engine fan! EX31 4RA / lynton-rail.co.uk

Paint a Pot, Braunton (13 miles): Indulge your inner artist and create a ceramic masterpiece! They will even post your creation home to you. EX33 2JL / 01271 813999 / paintapot-braunton.co.uk

Rock & Rapids, (16 miles): Try your hand at climbing the indoor climbing wall. EX36 3NA / 01769 573380 / rockandrapidadventures.co.uk

The Big , (22 miles): Ride a tractor, a train, the piggy pull along, a swan pedal or the vintage pony carousel. Race a sheep, cuddle a rabbit, somersault on the Jumping Pillow or whiz down the slide and drop into the ball pit. The perfect day out for younger children. EX39 5AP / 01237 472366 / thebigsheep.co.uk

The Ultimate Adventure Centre, Bideford (22 miles): Wipeout on the ultimate assault course, brave the high wires, zoom down the hill on a mountain board, get giddy zorbing, climb the wall, kayak on the Torridge estuary. The ultimate adrenaline rush for older children, teenagers and dare devil adults! Voted No 1 Top Adventure weekend for kids. EX39 5AP /01237 880028 / theultimatehigh.com

Dunster Castle near (28 miles): Find the secret passage, explore the crypt, play the piano, enjoy snooker, handle a real shot gun, enjoy breathtaking views across Exmoor and the or lose yourself in the subtropical gardens. TA24 6SL / 01643 821314 / nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle

But top of our rainy day activities is surfing at Woolacombe (long board, body board or no board!) – after all you are wet anyway and wetsuits, boots and gloves are the warmest gear to wear on a beach! All equipment can be hired and lessons arranged through Hunter Surf. Call Enrique or Will on 01271 870543. Places To Visit The beautiful Victorian towns of Lynton and are only twenty minutes away. A trip on the Cliff Railway that links the two is a must. and Dunster are very pretty villages within Exmoor. Their enticing shops, pubs and coffee shops, make both well worth a visit. Ilfracombe has lots to see and do including Tunnels Beaches, voted one of the best rock pooling beaches in the country; the Harbour, which has one of the world’s largest tidal change of 15m/50ft; Verity, Damien Hirst’s 20m/66ft bronze sculpture; the Aquarium, and St Nicholas’s Chapel & lighthouse with amazing views and lots of history. tunnelsbeaches.co.uk You can also take a day trip to Lundy Island from Ilfracombe for a unique island experience in an area of Special Scientific Interest, surrounded by ’s first Marine Conservation Zone or enjoy a Sea Safari. ilfracombeseasafari.co.uk / 01271 863398 There are also many beautiful gardens to explore in North Devon including: Broom Hill Sculpture Garden broomhillart.co.uk/sculpturegardens, Castle Hill castlehilldevon.co.uk/garden, Marwood Hill Gardens marwoodhillgarden.co.uk, RHS Rosemoor rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor, Tapeley Park tapeleygardens.com, Hartland Abbey hartlandabbey.com Docton Mill doctonmill.co.uk

Eating at Longlands Each lodge is stocked with tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate, milk, essential condiments such as ketchup, HP sauce, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, plus a bowl of fresh fruit. There is even a planter of fresh herbs on the deck for cooking with.

The Longlands’ Larder sells locally made produce, catering for all basic, and not so basic cooking requirements: butter, milk, bread, jams, cereal, eggs, cheese, chutneys, crisps, nuts, olives, cold drinks, ice creams, chocolate… and much more!

We buy all our meat from the wonderful Besshill farm shop in Arlington, just 4 miles from Longlands. Terry and the staff will ensure you have the best meat and local produce the area has to offer. There are several shops in Combe Martin (3 miles), and the nearest superstore is in Ilfracombe, a 15 minute drive. Besshill / EX31 4SW / 01271 444440

We offer a range of meals that can be ordered up to 24 hours in advance. All are home-made at Longlands with locally sourced ingredients. The Longlands Larder menu includes family favourites such as Lasagne (Al Forno or Roasted Vegetable), Chilli con Carne, Spaghetti Bolognese, Baked Salmon and Thai Green Chicken Curry, and salads. We have been told that our Baked Vanilla Cheesecake and Chocolate Torte alone are worth a holiday at Longlands. We also offer Cook It Yourself breakfast baskets and BBQ baskets. See our menu for more details. Local Pubs & Restaurants OUR FAVOURITES The Black Venus in , 6 miles away, is our favourite local pub. It is a 16th century stone built pub with original beams, lots of character and delicious food. You cannot book and it is always packed so get there early! Dogs welcome in the bar area. EX31 4TT / 01598 763251

The Blue Ball at Countisbury, is our favourite pub on Exmoor for Sunday lunch. We recommend you enjoy some of the spectacular hiking and walking trails over Exmoor before sitting down to a well-earned rest and delicious meal. Dogs welcome. EX35 6NE / 01598 741263

The Kings Arms in , is our favourite pub in the Woolacombe/ Croyde area. It has a great atmosphere, delicious food, friendly staff and a fantastic selection of beers. EX33 1JJ / 01271 890240

NC@EX34 (noelcorston.com) is our favourite restaurant, anywhere! It has won numerous awards for its incredible food, all of which is cooked by Noel Corston himself. He offers a tasting menu of 5 or 8 courses made from seasonal local produce. A must for any foodie! EX34 7BB / 01271 871187.

The Coach House at Grange, just 2 miles away, now falls under the wings of Michelin starred chef Michael Caines. Sensational food in sumptuous surroundings. Perfect for a special occasion. EX31 4NL / 01271 882295

The , near , is possibly the best restaurant on Exmoor and another favourite Sunday lunch destination. It is almost worth going just for the stunning 18 mile drive along the Exmoor coast! TA24 8JW / 01643 862259

Relish (www.relishbarandbistro.co.uk) in Ilfracombe has some fantastic seafood offerings, caught just off the coast and landed at Ilfracombe harbor. Can’t get more local than that! EX34 9ED / 01271 863837

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS Fox & Goose in is the nearest pub to Longlands just 4 miles away. It serves great food, has a wonderful atmosphere and is a favourite with locals. Dogs welcome. EX31 4PE / 01598 763239

The Hunters Inn, in the beautiful Heddon Valley, on Exmoor, is 5 miles away. It is the perfect place to eat following a gentle walk down to the beautiful pebble beach at Heddon’s Mouth. Dogs welcome. EX31 4PY / 01598 763230

If you are a Damien Hirst fan then 11, The Quay in Ilfracombe is a must. You can dine surrounded by original Damien Hirst pieces and walk to the end of the harbour to see his latest work, the 20m, 250 tonne bronze statue, Verity. EX34 9EQ / 01271 868090

The Beach Café at Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe is great for lunch, particularly with small children as it has a soft play area to keep them entertained. EX34 8AN / 01271 879332

If the Kings Arms in Georgeham is full then the The Rock Inn over the road is an excellent fall back. A beautiful 17th Century Inn with an excellent menu for both adults and children. Dogs welcome. EX33 1JW / 01271 890322

The Rising Sun in Lynmouth is a beautiful 14th century thatched inn, overlooking the Lyn River and Lynmouth Harbour, serving local fish, Exmoor Game and other locally sourced produce. EX35 6EG / 01598 753223