Location and local area
The Milkshed luxury holiday cottage is located in East Devon, in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The property is 2.8 miles outside the market town of Honiton and within 20 minutes drive of both Exeter and the stunning Jurassic coast. Many guests have commented on The Milkshed having the perfect balance of being tucked into the countryside but with everything they could possibly need nearby for entertainment!
Seaside and beaches
There are many lovely beaches within a short drive of The Milkshed - our favourites include Branscombe, Sidmouth, Beer, Lyme Regis and Exmouth.
Sidmouth - Sidmouth Beach is a beautiful expanse of sand and shingle beach, clean, accessible, and surrounded by awe inspiring cliffs, perfect for families to spend a day. There are also some lovely shops to potter around!
Seaton - Overlooking Lyme Bay and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Seaton Beach is a large pebble beach stretching over a mile long. Gently sloping, the beach is an ideal spot for swimming or water sports - kayaks or paddleboards are available for hire.
Beer - Beer is a picturesque fishing village with high chalk cliffs. There is a wonderful fresh fish shop as you walk down the slope to the beach and a couple of lovely places to enjoy lunch or a cream tea.
Branscombe - The beach at Branscombe is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the coastal scenery - there is beautiful countryside on the drive down to the beach and a cafe where you can get a meal or ice cream right on the beach itself.
Budleigh Salterton - Budleigh Salterton beach is a long pebble beach along the stunning Jurassic Coastline in East Devon.
Sandy Bay in Exmouth - Sandy Bay is a half-mile long privately owned beach which is sheltered and ideal for families. The beach is good for swimming and water sports, and there is a lifeguard during the summer months.
Exmouth Beach - Two miles of golden sand and fascinating rock pools - great for exploring!
Dawlish Warren - The family beach resort with shops, amusements, go-karts, adventure golf and places to eat. Miles of beach and sand dunes backed by the 500 acre National Nature Reserve and golf course.
Lyme Regis - Lyme Regis' picturesque harbour dates back to the fourteenth century. Known as The Cobb, it contains both a sandy beach and a pebble beach, separated by a fabulous curved harbour wall. Fish and chips on the beach followed by an ice cream always goes down a treat!
Sidmouth - Sidmouth Beach is a beautiful expanse of sand and shingle beach, clean, accessible, and surrounded by awe inspiring cliffs, perfect for families to spend a day. There are also some lovely shops to potter around!
Seaton - Overlooking Lyme Bay and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Seaton Beach is a large pebble beach stretching over a mile long. Gently sloping, the beach is an ideal spot for swimming or water sports - kayaks or paddleboards are available for hire.
Beer - Beer is a picturesque fishing village with high chalk cliffs. There is a wonderful fresh fish shop as you walk down the slope to the beach and a couple of lovely places to enjoy lunch or a cream tea.
Branscombe - The beach at Branscombe is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the coastal scenery - there is beautiful countryside on the drive down to the beach and a cafe where you can get a meal or ice cream right on the beach itself.
Budleigh Salterton - Budleigh Salterton beach is a long pebble beach along the stunning Jurassic Coastline in East Devon.
Sandy Bay in Exmouth - Sandy Bay is a half-mile long privately owned beach which is sheltered and ideal for families. The beach is good for swimming and water sports, and there is a lifeguard during the summer months.
Exmouth Beach - Two miles of golden sand and fascinating rock pools - great for exploring!
Dawlish Warren - The family beach resort with shops, amusements, go-karts, adventure golf and places to eat. Miles of beach and sand dunes backed by the 500 acre National Nature Reserve and golf course.
Lyme Regis - Lyme Regis' picturesque harbour dates back to the fourteenth century. Known as The Cobb, it contains both a sandy beach and a pebble beach, separated by a fabulous curved harbour wall. Fish and chips on the beach followed by an ice cream always goes down a treat!
Shopping and eating out
There are several very good farm shops within close proximity to The Milkshed. For a special treat we recommend Dart's Farm in Topsham- an upmarket farm shop - food hall, gift shop, restaurant and spa.
Miller's Farm Shop in Kilmington sells lots of lovely local produce, including vegetables grown on the farm itself. For something different, the owners also take a weekly trip to France to stock up on the very nicest of French ingredients and products.
Greendale Farm is another great option for a farm shop and cafe - plenty of locally sourced products and an onsite cafe.
Honiton has most shops and amenities including all major banks, post office, supermarkets, independent shops and restaurants and a small twice weekly street market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Exeter is 20 minutes drive away and has a great selection of high street shops and department stores such as John Lewis and M&S. There are also lots of places to stop for lunch or a coffee!
Kingsbridge Farmers Market is held on The Quay on the first and third Saturday of the month from 9am - 1pm.
Newton Abbot Produce Market has gained a reputation for product quality and a variety of fresh produce.
Dartmouth Old Market was originally built as a pannier market in 1828 and sells produce from local farms.
There are loads of lovely places to eat and drink in East Devon and beyond. Here are a few of our favourites:
For delicious gelato-style ice cream, visit Otter Valley Dairy - their fields back onto ours so they are extremely local. You can even try to spot The Milkshed's shiny roof from across the valley!
To dine with a difference visit the River Exe Cafe - a floating cafe on the River Exe, where a boat takes you to and from the cafe! It specialises in fish and sea food but has something for everyone.
Sample home-smoked meats, delicious tapas and much more at The Holt in Honiton.
For gastro pubs, try The Tytherleigh Arms, The Candelight Inn, or the Jack in the Green.
Visit the famous River Cottage HQ in Axminster.
Take a tour of Sharpham Vineyards and Cheese Dairy in Totnes - very scenic with delicious cheese and wine.
For lovely casual cafe-style options, try Heron Farm just outside Honiton for a great cooked breakfast or tasty lunch, The Lyme Bay in Lyme Regis for crab sandwiches or The Lost Kitchen for wood-fired pizza.
For fabulous sea views try the Upper Deck Restaurant at Sidmouth Harbour Hotel or Hix in Lyme Regis.
Miller's Farm Shop in Kilmington sells lots of lovely local produce, including vegetables grown on the farm itself. For something different, the owners also take a weekly trip to France to stock up on the very nicest of French ingredients and products.
Greendale Farm is another great option for a farm shop and cafe - plenty of locally sourced products and an onsite cafe.
Honiton has most shops and amenities including all major banks, post office, supermarkets, independent shops and restaurants and a small twice weekly street market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Exeter is 20 minutes drive away and has a great selection of high street shops and department stores such as John Lewis and M&S. There are also lots of places to stop for lunch or a coffee!
Kingsbridge Farmers Market is held on The Quay on the first and third Saturday of the month from 9am - 1pm.
Newton Abbot Produce Market has gained a reputation for product quality and a variety of fresh produce.
Dartmouth Old Market was originally built as a pannier market in 1828 and sells produce from local farms.
There are loads of lovely places to eat and drink in East Devon and beyond. Here are a few of our favourites:
For delicious gelato-style ice cream, visit Otter Valley Dairy - their fields back onto ours so they are extremely local. You can even try to spot The Milkshed's shiny roof from across the valley!
To dine with a difference visit the River Exe Cafe - a floating cafe on the River Exe, where a boat takes you to and from the cafe! It specialises in fish and sea food but has something for everyone.
Sample home-smoked meats, delicious tapas and much more at The Holt in Honiton.
For gastro pubs, try The Tytherleigh Arms, The Candelight Inn, or the Jack in the Green.
Visit the famous River Cottage HQ in Axminster.
Take a tour of Sharpham Vineyards and Cheese Dairy in Totnes - very scenic with delicious cheese and wine.
For lovely casual cafe-style options, try Heron Farm just outside Honiton for a great cooked breakfast or tasty lunch, The Lyme Bay in Lyme Regis for crab sandwiches or The Lost Kitchen for wood-fired pizza.
For fabulous sea views try the Upper Deck Restaurant at Sidmouth Harbour Hotel or Hix in Lyme Regis.
Days out
There are loads of family days out in East Devon and beyond. Here are some ideas for days out with the kids:
* Spend the day strolling round National Trust property, Killerton House
* Take the kids to the World of Countrylife in Exmouth
* Walk through bluebell-filled woods at Buckland Abbey
* Take your binoculars to Seaton Wetlands and spot some amazing birdlife or go pond dipping
* Visit Pecorama and enjoy a train ride, outdoor fun and soft play
* Take your toddlers to Pennywell Farm
* Visit the National Aquarium in Plymouth
* Take a train ride and stroll round the botanical gardens at Bicton Park
* Go trampolining at Devon's new trampoline park
* Enjoy the interactive displays at Exeter's RAM Museum
* Visit the donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidsmouth (there's also a great cafe!)
* Have a day at Crealy Theme Park - there are over 60 rides to choose from!
* Visit Haldon Forest Park and try the trails out forestryengland.uk/haldon-forest-park
* Get muddy on the assault course at The Bear Trail
Devon has loads to offer for adults too. Here are some of our ideas for days out without the kids:
* Go walking along the stunning Jurassic coastline
* Enjoy the regatta in Dartmouth
* Take a boat trip along the River Exe with Stuartline Cruises
* Sample delicious Devon wines at Pebblebed vineyard
* Watch an Exeter Chiefs rugby match at Sandy Park
* Shop in the food hall at Dart's Farm and then have a bite to eat
* Browse the gift shop and have a hot chocolate at Otterton Mill
* Try your hand at indoor climbing in Exeter
* Try your hand at sea kayaking with Sea Kayak Devon
ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE
For our accessibility guide, please click as follows:
* Spend the day strolling round National Trust property, Killerton House
* Take the kids to the World of Countrylife in Exmouth
* Walk through bluebell-filled woods at Buckland Abbey
* Take your binoculars to Seaton Wetlands and spot some amazing birdlife or go pond dipping
* Visit Pecorama and enjoy a train ride, outdoor fun and soft play
* Take your toddlers to Pennywell Farm
* Visit the National Aquarium in Plymouth
* Take a train ride and stroll round the botanical gardens at Bicton Park
* Go trampolining at Devon's new trampoline park
* Enjoy the interactive displays at Exeter's RAM Museum
* Visit the donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidsmouth (there's also a great cafe!)
* Have a day at Crealy Theme Park - there are over 60 rides to choose from!
* Visit Haldon Forest Park and try the trails out forestryengland.uk/haldon-forest-park
* Get muddy on the assault course at The Bear Trail
Devon has loads to offer for adults too. Here are some of our ideas for days out without the kids:
* Go walking along the stunning Jurassic coastline
* Enjoy the regatta in Dartmouth
* Take a boat trip along the River Exe with Stuartline Cruises
* Sample delicious Devon wines at Pebblebed vineyard
* Watch an Exeter Chiefs rugby match at Sandy Park
* Shop in the food hall at Dart's Farm and then have a bite to eat
* Browse the gift shop and have a hot chocolate at Otterton Mill
* Try your hand at indoor climbing in Exeter
* Try your hand at sea kayaking with Sea Kayak Devon
ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE
For our accessibility guide, please click as follows:
| accessibility_guide_2018.pdf |
