Feather Down - Billingsmoor Farm

Billingsmoor Farm is well-placed between Devon’s north and south coastlines for jaunts to the beach – the shingle expanse at Porlock (an hour’s drive) in the north is backed by a marshy haven for seabirds, while Exmouth beach (50 minutes) on the south coast is a smart choice for rockpooling with the kids and trying out kite surfing or paddleboarding. The farm is also close to three areas of dramatic beauty: the Blackdown Hills (35 minutes) are a haven for cycling, horse riding or walking. Spot wild ponies running free from the numerous off-road hiking trails or cross the Bronze Age clapper bridge at Tarr Steps (55 minutes) in Exmoor National Park (40 minutes), or visit Dartmoor National Park (50 minutes) to take a tour of sumptuous apartments at art deco Castle Drogo (an hour). If you’d rather stay closer to your home base, treat the kids to tractors and earth-moving machinery at Diggerland Devon (25 minutes), or have a wander around the lovely moated gardens at Bickleigh Castle (10 minutes). Alternatively, why not try a slow-paced, horse-drawn barge trip along the Grand Western Canal from Tiverton (20 minutes)?