Barnstaple Continued

Instow’s long promenade forms the backing for the sandy beach and the sand dunes at north end are a popular venue for family outings, beyond which lies a second beach traditionally famous for its shell fish. During the summer you can take the ferry, from the17th Century quay, across to Appledore.

In the heart of the Devonshire countryside is a fascinating ‘green’ attraction that will appeal to all age groups. Approximately 7 miles south east of Barnstaple, and more khaki and olive drab, the Cobbaton Combat Collection is celebrating 28 years open to the public. One man’s lifetime of collecting has more than filled three Romney hangars with military vehicles and equipment, and items from the civilian’s war.

The vehicles, weapons and memorabilia are all displayed under cover and the ‘Home Front’ building houses seven displays that portray the different aspects of civilian life in wartime Britain. A number of the vehicles have also been used for films and television.

This amazing collection has survived without any government grants or handouts, and is still growing, with over 60 military vehicles and artillery pieces, and literally thousands of smaller items from 1939/45. The quantity and range of items restored and preserved over the last 50 years is quite mind boggling.

Travel the A39 north towards Blackmore Gate from Barnstaple and you will soon come to Arlington Court, a National Trust house, garden and large wooded estate, once the home of the Chichester family, which includes Sir Francis Chichester who sailed around the world single-handed in Gipsy Moth IV. A model of the vessel is on show here, along with many other model ships and collections of snuff boxes, pewter, costumes, exotic shells and 18th-century furniture.

In a new exhibition building in the old stable block, you will find the National Trust’s Carriage Collection with a superb display of horse-drawn vehicles, which used to convey our ancestors before we all rushed round in small tin boxes. These carriages truly are works of tremendous craftsmanship and you can also see the harness and other items which made up the complete turnout.

But this is not just a ‘stand behind the rope and don’t touch’ display. Obviously some of the rarer items must be kept from idle hands but out in the stable yard you can watch as the horses are harnessed to a carriage and then be seated for a journey to the house - and back if you wish.

All in all this is an excellent way of experiencing the pleasures of a more leisurely age.

Arlington Court is open from March 16th to November 2nd, daily except Saturdays, 11am-5pm (but open Sats on Bank Holiday weekends). The garden, shop, tea-room and ‘Batcam’ (for watching one of Devon’s largest colony of lesser horseshoe bats) are also open on Saturdays in July and August. The estate is open all year, dawn to dusk.

Arlington Court

Situated between Arlington Court and the Wistlandpound Reservoir, you will find the Award Winning Besshill Farm Shop selling its own traditionally produced beef and lamb. All the beef is born and reared on the farm, where they are fed on home-grown produce.

In the shop, a butcher is always on hand to cut the meat to your own requirements. Besshill produce its own sausages, burgers and bacon: as well as selling pork, free range chicken, ducks and eggs, farmhouse ice cream, apple juice, honey, jams, cream, butter and seasonal fresh vegetables - all sourced as locally as possible.

Continue to Wistlandpound Reservoir and you will find the perfect location for peaceful walking and angling. Jointly managed by The Forestry Commission and South West Lakes Trust, this tranquil lake is surrounded by conifer plantations and has an established nature reserve.

A way-marked circular walk around the lake takes approximately one hour and stout footwear is recommended. Fly fishing for rainbow trout is available to anglers, with day permits obtainable from the Post Office in Challacombe, the Calvert Trust or tackle shops in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.