We are in the Dartmoor National Park and just 15 minutes walk (2 minutes drive!) from the moor. Bodmin moor is a 30-minute drive. We are just 10 minutes drive from the towns of Tavistock and Okehampton, and the Cathedral city of Exeter is about 45 minutes down the A30. The market town of Launceston and the bright lights of Plymouth are also within easy reach. You can catch a bus to Okehampton or Tavistock (on to Plymouth) in the village.   Lydford has no streetlights so the night sky is visible without a yellow glow; perhaps you could take a night walk on the moor for a totally different, and unforgettable, experience. 

Dartmoor offers horse riding, cycling and walking. You can also drive to the North Cornwall coast within the hour, for excellent surfing, sandy beaches, rock pools and clifftop walks. In addition there are golf courses, water sports, and fishing locally.

Dartmoor
Designated one of the National Parks of England and Wales in 1951, Dartmoor is a beautiful moorland landscape of ancient forests, wooded valleys, and rugged tors. The public is able to roam on its 369 square miles of unenclosed, open moorland, with around 600 miles of public rights of way. Dartmoor is a rich habitat for wildlife and has a wealth of archaeological remains, myths and legends. Guidebooks and a map are available for your stay.  Townend Barn has been inspected and approved by the Dartmoor Tourist Association.  Visit their website for more information on what to do in the area.  www.dartmoor.co.uk

Walking
Lydford is the perfect starting point for many wonderful walks across moorland, through the forest or the National Trust's Lydford Gorge.www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/things-to-do/activities.asp

Riding
Horseriding on the moor can be easily arranged at nearby Eastlake Riding Stables.
www.eastlakeridingstables.co.uk

Cycling
The Granite Way is an 18km cycle/walkway from Okehampton to Lydford through beautiful countryside. It is part of the National Cycle Route 27.  We have two bicycles available for hire. www.devon.gov.uk 

Watersports
Roadford Lake has trout fishing, sailing, wind surfing, canoeing, bird watching and a nature trail. www.roadfordlakesailingclub.org.uk

Golf
There is a golf course in Okehampton, and two in Tavistock www.okehamptongc.co.uk

Beaches
North Cornwall is one of the country's most popular surfing coasts, with excellent surfing beaches at Widemouth Bay and Bude. There is the South West Coastal Path for cliff top walks and beaches with great rockpools.  We can help you to find the best beach for whatever activity you want and provide tide times.

National Trust and English Heritage sites
Lydford Gorge is spectacular; its circular walk takes in the beautiful White Lady Waterfall, swirling pools and the deep chasm of the Devil's Cauldron, with good tea rooms at either end and just 10 minutes walk from the Barn. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Other interesting places:
Okehampton Castle
Eden Project www.edenproject.com
Pencarrow House and Gardens www.pencarrow.co.uk
Rosemoor Gardens www.rhs.org.uk/garden/rosemoor/index.asp

Pubs and Restaurants
Dartmoor Inn, Lydford www.dartmoorinn.com

Lydford Country House

Fox and Hounds, Bridestowe

Castle Inn, Lydford

Arundell Arms, Lifton

Harris Arms, Lewdown

Gidleigh Park Hotel restaurant www.gidleighpark.com

Cinema
Okehampton has a really comfortable licensed independent cinema showing all the latest releases. www.britinfo.net

Shopping
Okehampton offers a good choice of grocery shopping; Hallwood Fresh Veg, Martin's Butchers and other independent shops.  Waitrose, Lidl and Co-op supermarkets.   It also has an excellent leisure centre with good clean public pool.  Simmons Park is beautiful;  set along the banks of the Okement River with excellent children's play areas for all ages.  Tavistock offers an adventure pool; fortnightly farmers' market, a very good delicatessen, award winning cheese shop, Morrisons and Co-op.  Both towns are within 15 minutes drive and are on a bus route from the village.