West Country winter walks...

Picture by Rob Gilles

We all eat too much in December, right? What better way to work it off than with a bracing winter walk - perhaps joining in with some of the group walks offered by Ramblers' Winter Walks Festival. 

You'll want to get your scarves, hats, gloves and boots on for these... 

Photo by Rob Gilles

At 10:30am on Sunday 16th December, work up an appetite for a hearty pub lunch on this walk from Hendersick car park via Talland and Watergate to Looe and back. Make sure you bring boots, a drink, and of course money for lunch at Looe! No dogs allowed.

On Sunday 16th December at 11am in Padstow, meet the RA Camel Group at Treyarnon Bay car park for a 7 to 8 mile, four hour walk to St Merryn, Constantine Bay.

After meeting at 2pm on Friday 28th December at Constantine car park, by the church, join others for a lovely three mile walk to the river at Scott's Quay via Ponjeravah. The walk supports the Change4Life movement. 

The walks listed here are intended primarily for members of Ramblers. Non-members are welcome to join as guests on two or three walks, though if you walk with a group regularly you will be expected to join Ramblers.

Of course, you don't have to go on an organised walk. There are endless options for scenic moorland, countryside and coastal walks in the West Country to suit all levels and abilities.

Use the Advanced Search facility on our website to help you find just the right place to stay to take advantage of the best winter walks on offer, or give our expert telephone team a call on 01647 433593 for some help. 

Wrap up warm and enjoy the winter wonderland!

What’s your favourite excuse to take a walk?

Often the best excuse to go for a walk is that there is something at the end of it, like a cosy country pub, or a spectacular view, or even just a welcoming bench!

We thought we’d look into some of the reasons people go for walks, and pick out some sights, stopping points and cottages along the way...

1. Stretch your legs

Sometimes you don’t want anything too strenuous, just something to gently remind your legs what they are there for! Try the circular route upriver from Lynmouth to Watersmeet and then to Rockford, then back along the river via Contisbury Common. Stroll back to The Dairy.

The Clock House

2. Climb to a high vantage point

Dunkery Beacon is Exmoor’s highest point (1,705 feet), and, if the weather is fair, boasts stunning views of the coast and mountains of South Wales. Come back down to earth at The Clock House.

3. Give the dog some exercise

A route from Seaton up river to Hessenford provides a welcome outing for man’s best friend. Stop for lunch in The Copley Arms, a beautiful 17th century coaching inn by the river Seaton in Hessenford (dogs on leads are welcome in the bar area) before heading back to base at 6 Lyme Mews.

Fiddlesticks Cottage

4. Take a physical challenge

The 18-mile Camel Trail runs between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow, and follows the route of the old railway line, winding alongside the spectacular Camel Estuary. The route comes to an end near the moorland village of Blisland. Tom, Dick and Harry are waiting in Blisland to welcome you.

5. Give your eyes a feast

You can gape at towering cliffs and stunning rock formations if you take a route from Lulworth Cove, past iconic Durdle Door and along the coastal path. Don’t forget your camera! Rest your eyelids at Fiddlesticks Cottage.

What’s your favourite excuse to take a walk?

Top photo credit: Namlhots

Yelpful Holidays for you and your dog...

For most people who own a dog, a holiday wouldn’t be truly enjoyable unless man’s best friend comes too. Taking your dog on holiday is likely to broaden rather than limit your West Country experience, whether setting out on long rambling walks together or settling down by the fire in a country pub.

The heather-clad hills and tors of Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor are a challenge worth the climb when you and your dog survey the miles of open space from ‘the top of the world’. Your dog will enjoy a day of rummaging and rabbity scents, and in the bar afterwards you’ll meet like-minded pet owners happy to share shaggy-dog stories.

Helpful Holidays offers many holiday cottages where your dog is welcome in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Smart apartments and cosy cottages sit right beside the most beautiful of the many dog-friendly beaches in the region. Here we’ve picked a few suitable cottages and coupled them up with good walks nearby.

Dune View nestles by the dunes at Rose and is handily placed for the huge sandy beach at Perran Sands – a fantastic expanse to get any dog belting along at full speed and sniffing enthusiastically around rock pools. This sturdy detached stone cottage sleeps six and has a large, enclosed garden. This long walk takes in Perran Beach and Holywell.

For those who prefer an inland refuge, Weddicott Barn is a stunning barn conversion with an indoor heated swimming pool. It sleeps ten and is located just a mile from Chagford, which makes it an excellent base for exploring Dartmoor. Here’s a good winter walk from Chagford by BBC Radio Devon’s Michael Chequer.

The Old Stables in lush South Hams farmland above the River Avon valley sleeps four and has a good-sized, enclosed, semi-walled garden. This local walk will take you through fabulous local scenery; once in Totnes, seek out the Maltsters Arms pub which keeps a dog biscuit barrel on the bar and has a river for swimming. 

It’s easy to find which of our properties allow pets – just head to our Advanced Search page and select the ‘Pets allowed - Yes' option. Many of us at Helpful Holidays are dog owners too, so do call us on 01647 433593 for a chat and tips on how to make your West Country holiday with your dog a thoroughly enjoyable experience.