Moving to north Devon question....

Catbird

Catbird

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We're looking at moving and north Devon is high on the list, probably somewhere around Bideford/Great Torrington/Holsworthy triangle, or thereabouts. I've looked on OS maps and there don't seem to be many bridleways in that general area so was wondering if anyone local can help? I know that a mile up the road in any direction can often make a huge difference, but I can't see anywhere with a good network to focus my house hunting efforts.
As I'm leading the search, I want to make sure my horsey needs are properly catered for before booking any viewings ?
Thanks in advance!
 
Despite its reputation as a really horsey county, off-road hacking in Devon is actually really patchy and if you're anywhere other than Dartmoor or Woodbury Common, in most other places the hacking is around the local lanes, with very few bridleways available. My family is originally from the North Devon coast, so I spent a lot of holidays there as a child but don't actually live in the area. I remember going for beach rides on Westward Ho! beach, and there is also beach access and a bridleway network around Saunton/Braunton. The area around Halwill/Cookworthy (near Holsworthy) might also be worth a look - I had a friend who lived in that area and there was nice hacking in the forestry plantations around there.

Hopefully someone else with better local knowledge will be along soon!
 
SlinkyMinxy said:
Despite its reputation as a really horsey county, off-road hacking in Devon is actually really patchy and if you're anywhere other than Dartmoor or Woodbury Common, in most other places the hacking is around the local lanes, with very few bridleways available. My family is originally from the North Devon coast, so I spent a lot of holidays there as a child but don't actually live in the area. I remember going for beach rides on Westward Ho! beach, and there is also beach access and a bridleway network around Saunton/Braunton. The area around Halwill/Cookworthy (near Holsworthy) might also be worth a look - I had a friend who lived in that area and there was nice hacking in the forestry plantations around there.

Hopefully someone else with better local knowledge will be along soon!
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I agree. Large parts of Devon are not over brilliant and there are a lot of fast roads.
I'm not sure the triangle you have chosen is the best riding area although of course if depends how much you want to ride, the distance etc.
Areas around Exmoor are good as is around the Quantocks.
Braunton burrows was a nice day out with the horses.
around Dartmoor is obviously good as is the area around Hennock and Moretonhampstead.

If you are looking at areas with forests then check you can ride in them. Similarly beaches.
Bear in mind there are a lot of tourists. Not only do they block the roads they can be a pain if there are a lot of tourists with dogs on very popular bridlepaths or other tracks/riding areas.

I've seen horses on the cycle track from Barnstaple down to Meeth but this is hard/tarmac track with lots of bikes. Probably not somewhere you would want to depend on for riding.
I've found with much of Devon if it isn't on an OS map then it probably isn't there.

Are you flexible on location?
 
Thank you both, that's really helpful - in theory we're completely flexible on location as we can both work from home, but the north coast is a pull and is one of the things I've used to convince OH that a big move is a great idea. Luckily he rides bikes and runs too, so a good bridleway/offroad network is high on the list.
I'll have a look at those suggestions and woodland access too as it could work if there are interesting/long rides I could cobble together with a bit of road work.
Thank you!
 
Definitely another vote for Exmoor or the Quantocks given your OH is also outdoorsy. I know it isn’t necessarily Devon but it’s near enough!
 
Friend moved from Epsom to Lee, just west of Ilfracombe, despite checking hacking out, there really only was one route up near the cliffs that was off road.
Then 2 yrs later moved north of Bude on the Devon Cornwall border and she had over 2 miles of lanes to do before reaching the only bridleway. So she rode in winter, but boxed up twice a week over to Exmoor, then gave up in summer months as it was ruddy dangerous on the narrow roads.
Lovely areas but really do your homework thoroughly x
 
Sounds like I'll need to switch my house hunting area as I don't have transport and I'm not sure I've got the guts to do a clifftop hack ? and not feeling safe riding during the summer would be horrible.
Really glad I asked - thank you all!
 
SlinkyMinxy said:
Despite its reputation as a really horsey county, off-road hacking in Devon is actually really patchy and if you're anywhere other than Dartmoor or Woodbury Common, in most other places the hacking is around the local lanes, with very few bridleways available.
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^^^ Wouldn't disagree with this. I'm in East Devon and there are very few ROW's here, we're all having to go onto the roads. The geeks that inhabit the ROW Dept at Co Hall frankly need a rocket put under 'em - the speed they move in there a snail would sail past them. Totally appalling.

Contrast this with a recent visit I made to visit an elderly relative in Northamptonshire (Pytchley country!) where there seemed to be far more access to the countryside for both pedestrians and riders.
 
I’m near Torrington. Dearth of bridleways I admit, but the tourists don’t know we are here! We wanted Exmoor or coast but are now so glad we are just very rural.
 
As paddy555 says, the Moretonhampstead, Hennock, Teign valley can be good. Look for Woodland Trust areas - the whole of Fingle woods was my play ground. I’ve moved now (and have nothing to ride anyway) but despite still being on rural Dartmoor I’d struggle to get decent off road within an hours hack, although there are a few byways.
As you have freedom to choose wherever you like I’d suggest looking at the Teign valley, which consists of these villages. Trusham, Teign village, Hennock, Christow, Bridford, Dunsford. Easy access to the M5 (15 mins drive), 30 minutes to the south coast, but of course further to the north. As Clodagh knows it is sometimes a lot better to be away from the popular areas, you can move around easier in tourist season!
 
Spotherisk said:
As paddy555 says, the Moretonhampstead, Hennock, Teign valley can be good. Look for Woodland Trust areas - the whole of Fingle woods was my play ground. I’ve moved now (and have nothing to ride anyway) but despite still being on rural Dartmoor I’d struggle to get decent off road within an hours hack, although there are a few byways.
As you have freedom to choose wherever you like I’d suggest looking at the Teign valley, which consists of these villages. Trusham, Teign village, Hennock, Christow, Bridford, Dunsford. Easy access to the M5 (15 mins drive), 30 minutes to the south coast, but of course further to the north. As Clodagh knows it is sometimes a lot better to be away from the popular areas, you can move around easier in tourist season!
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Thank you - haven't heard of those places but I'll have a look!
 
You could also go further down into Cornwall. Friends were convinced they wanted to live on the north Cornwall coast - ended up at Lanner. 20 minutes drive from both north and south coasts, great trails and in the edge of moorland.
 
Try looking on the facebook pages of the local stables like Brendon Manor or Sparhanger, both on the edge of Exmoor. Scroll through their many pictures and you will get an idea what the local hacking is like.
 
Catbird said:
We're looking at moving and north Devon is high on the list, probably somewhere around Bideford/Great Torrington/Holsworthy triangle, or thereabouts. I've looked on OS maps and there don't seem to be many bridleways in that general area so was wondering if anyone local can help? I know that a mile up the road in any direction can often make a huge difference, but I can't see anywhere with a good network to focus my house hunting efforts.
As I'm leading the search, I want to make sure my horsey needs are properly catered for before booking any viewings ?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

We were in your situation 18 months ago, and I put a post on a FB hunting page asking if you could move anywhere in the country with good riding, walking, wildlife and hunting where would you go and it was about 90% response for Exmoor, so we started our search. We bought 3 OS maps of the area, and every time something came on the market we would trawl the maps first. There was a lovely place near Beaworthy but just didn't fit our 'want' criteria. We have ended up buying an end of terrace (we didn't want neighbours!!) in 4 1/2 acres with an abundance of buildings and stables 2 miles from Dulverton. We are in a completely devoid of tourists spot, 2 bridleways 1/4 mile from us and 2 miles to the moor with hundreds of miles of bridleways and walking. The lanes are so quiet and motorists so incredibly kind and courteous. Oh, and the neighbours are hardly ever there but are really lovely. Total heaven for us both.
 
For people looking at moving to areas with riding and cycling in mind I have found using the bridleway map online has been invaluable.

www.bridlewaymap.com

Google usually brings it up under sur.ly and don’t click on the oss links as it’s different.

Just resize the map to the area you are interested in and if my area is anything to go by it’s very accurate with what is actually on the ground.
 
Catbird said:
Thank you both, that's really helpful - in theory we're completely flexible on location as we can both work from home, but the north coast is a pull and is one of the things I've used to convince OH that a big move is a great idea. Luckily he rides bikes and runs too, so a good bridleway/offroad network is high on the list.
I'll have a look at those suggestions and woodland access too as it could work if there are interesting/long rides I could cobble together with a bit of road work.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Have a look at East devon I live in a place called Sheldon, between the m5 and a30 we are all forest and bridleways rarely is a horse seen on the roads.
 
I'm in North Devon and have kept my horse in several places! There is some good hacking around Shirwell and Muddiford (although you do have to brave the roads a bit) and going out near Arlington court (National trust estate with lots of woodland tracks), also not far to get to exmoor from there but also close to coxleigh barton which has arenas etc and you can also ride on their land (woodland tracks etc). Up towards Ilfracombe not so good for bridleways if I remember correctly. Where we are currently isn't bad and we can ride to Saunton and Putsborough beaches (3 hr ride), woodland rides and also there are a lot of farm tracks where you can have a canter. Can also box down to crow point to get to the far end of Saunton but you can no longer ride all over Braunton Burrows as they fenced it off for conservation purposes a few years ago.
 
HappyHollyDays said:
For people looking at moving to areas with riding and cycling in mind I have found using the bridleway map online has been invaluable.

www.bridlewaymap.com

Google usually brings it up under sur.ly and don’t click on the oss links as it’s different.

Just resize the map to the area you are interested in and if my area is anything to go by it’s very accurate with what is actually on the ground.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
HorseMaid said:
I'm in North Devon and have kept my horse in several places! There is some good hacking around Shirwell and Muddiford (although you do have to brave the roads a bit) and going out near Arlington court (National trust estate with lots of woodland tracks), also not far to get to exmoor from there but also close to coxleigh barton which has arenas etc and you can also ride on their land (woodland tracks etc). Up towards Ilfracombe not so good for bridleways if I remember correctly. Where we are currently isn't bad and we can ride to Saunton and Putsborough beaches (3 hr ride), woodland rides and also there are a lot of farm tracks where you can have a canter. Can also box down to crow point to get to the far end of Saunton but you can no longer ride all over Braunton Burrows as they fenced it off for conservation purposes a few years ago.
Click to expand...
Thank you - I think I'm going to need to get some transport!
 
Irish-Only said:
We were in your situation 18 months ago, and I put a post on a FB hunting page asking if you could move anywhere in the country with good riding, walking, wildlife and hunting where would you go and it was about 90% response for Exmoor, so we started our search. We bought 3 OS maps of the area, and every time something came on the market we would trawl the maps first. There was a lovely place near Beaworthy but just didn't fit our 'want' criteria. We have ended up buying an end of terrace (we didn't want neighbours!!) in 4 1/2 acres with an abundance of buildings and stables 2 miles from Dulverton. We are in a completely devoid of tourists spot, 2 bridleways 1/4 mile from us and 2 miles to the moor with hundreds of miles of bridleways and walking. The lanes are so quiet and motorists so incredibly kind and courteous. Oh, and the neighbours are hardly ever there but are really lovely. Total heaven for us both.
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Unfortunately no land for us in this move as had to compromise with other members of the family, but your set up sounds fab!
 
Thank you all for your help - you've helped make it seem more real and exciting!
We've had an offer accepted on a house near Torrington (couldn't shift the search area in the end!) so I'm now after a field or diy/part livery. Are there any good local FB groups anyone could recommend please?
Plan is to head over in a few weeks and do some exploring and visit some tack shops to look for notices, but I figure that fb groups could be a good place to post something. I'm on a few groups but know some are usually better than others!
Thank you again!
 
"Horses and equestrian items for sale/wanted in North devon" is probably the best FB group to be on. There's also a North devon riding club one that might be useful!
 
Catbird said:
Thank you all for your help - you've helped make it seem more real and exciting!
We've had an offer accepted on a house near Torrington (couldn't shift the search area in the end!) so I'm now after a field or diy/part livery. Are there any good local FB groups anyone could recommend please?
Plan is to head over in a few weeks and do some exploring and visit some tack shops to look for notices, but I figure that fb groups could be a good place to post something. I'm on a few groups but know some are usually better than others!
Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Exciting and best of luck. Pm if you like, but do tell me where roughly?
 
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