Devon in one direction. Cornwall in the other.
Lead & Linen is a peaceful countryside stay near the Devon–Cornwall border, with Bude and the North Cornwall coast within easy reach.
From here, days can take you to long sandy beaches, coastal paths and dog-friendly walks, small towns, woodland and open moorland across North Devon and North Cornwall. Or somewhere nearby for a walk and a good lunch.
See what you feel like doing when you wake up.
Bude
Having the coast this close was part of what brought us here.
Bude is our nearest coastal town, just across the border in North Cornwall.
Miles of sandy beaches sit alongside a picturesque little town, with independent shops to wander through and plenty of coastline to explore.
We love finding a spot overlooking the beach and staying for a drink or something to eat, with the sea still in view.
Find your stretch of coast
Some of our favourite walks end with sandy paws and the sun disappearing into the sea.
One of the things we love about this part of the coast is just how easy it is to find beautiful beaches where the dog can come too. Around Bude, Black Rock at Widemouth Bay and Sandymouth welcome dogs all year, while Summerleaze is another favourite for long walks by the sea.
When we feel like exploring further into North Devon, Westward Ho!, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe are worth the drive — big beaches, open skies and miles of sand to walk.
And if you stay for sunset, you will understand why we keep going back.
Beach access for dogs can vary seasonally, we will always help you find the right beach for the day.
Towns worth taking your time over
Some days are made for exploring without much of a plan.
Bideford is one of our favourite places for independent shops, antiques and charity-shop finds — quite a few things around Lead & Linen started life here. Afterwards, we’ll often take Milo across towards Instow for a walk on the beach, with Appledore across the estuary, or head towards Westward Ho! and Northam Burrows for a longer walk by the sea.
Clovelly is somewhere we think everyone should experience at least once. Walk the steep cobbled street down to the harbour — sensible shoes recommended — and stop for a drink at the Red Lion before tackling the walk back up. In summer, the beautiful Clovelly Court Gardens are worth making time for too. Ask us for a picnic basket and find somewhere to stay awhile.
For us, Tavistock is all about the market. We love browsing the independent stalls — it’s where we found the maker of our bedroom door signs — before finding a table outside for coffee and cake and watching the market go by.
Go with somewhere in mind. Leave the rest of the day unplanned.
Closer to home
You don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve gone somewhere.
There’s plenty to discover much closer to home. Tamar Lakes, right on the Devon–Cornwall border, is made for an unhurried walk by the water, while Cookworthy Forest and Bradworthy Moor offer woodland, open countryside and plenty of space to wander.
Holsworthy is our local market town, surrounded by working farmland, where market day and the livestock market are still very much part of everyday life. In nearby Bradworthy, the village square has an independent shop, Post Office and our local Bradworthy Inn. And for something to eat or take home, Blackberry Farm Shop & Café is another local favourite.
Sometimes the best days are the ones that don’t take you very far at all.
A little further
When you feel like going further, two of Devon’s great landscapes are within reach.
Head south towards Dartmoor, where granite tors, ancient woodland and wide stretches of open moorland make the journey part of the day. There are hundreds of miles of paths and tracks to explore, whether you want a proper walk or simply somewhere beautiful to stop and take it all in.
In the other direction lies Exmoor, with open moorland, wooded valleys and a dramatic coastline. Stay into the evening and there’s another reason to look up — Exmoor was Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and remains one of the country’s special places for stargazing.
Two moors. Two directions. No need to choose until you wake up.
Getting around
Having a car gives you the freedom to explore.
Lead & Linen is surrounded by countryside, and that’s very much part of being here. With Devon in one direction and Cornwall in the other, having a car makes it easy to find quieter beaches and walks, explore the moors, or simply change your plans whenever you feel like it.
There are walks to enjoy straight from the house, too, for the days when going nowhere very far feels just right.
Come with a car. Leave the timetable behind.
