Maria and Sabrina‘s guide book
Sightseeing
Branscombe Beach
Lovely walks on top of the cliffs or along the shore
Sidmouth
Traditional English seaside town
Working fishing port. Beautiful views from the cliff tops. Drink a “beer in Beer at the Beer”. Free parking for 2 h on right hand side, just before the bus stop.
93 locals recommend
Beer
Working fishing port. Beautiful views from the cliff tops. Drink a “beer in Beer at the Beer”. Free parking for 2 h on right hand side, just before the bus stop.
Beautiful views, modern Stone Circle to commemorate centuries of quarrying
20 locals recommend
Ham Hill
Beautiful views, modern Stone Circle to commemorate centuries of quarrying
Settlement dates back to Saxon times. Sandy beach on the Jurassic coast. World Heritage site. Fossil hunting followed by great lunch.
326 locals recommend
Lyme Regis
Settlement dates back to Saxon times. Sandy beach on the Jurassic coast. World Heritage site. Fossil hunting followed by great lunch.
Beautiful, wild, huge pebble beach, spectacular cliffs. Working fishing port
47 locals recommend
West Bay Beach Dorset
EsplanadeBeautiful, wild, huge pebble beach, spectacular cliffs. Working fishing port
The place where the Quantock Hills meet the sea- Kilve‘s Jurassic Coast. Enjoy fossil hunting
118 locals recommend
Quantock Hills AONB
The place where the Quantock Hills meet the sea- Kilve‘s Jurassic Coast. Enjoy fossil hunting
Short, steep climb to the Mump, rewarded by stunning views of the Somerset Levels (flood planes) Unlike the nearby Glastonbury Tor, the site is not overcrowded. Free parking
21 locals recommend
Burrow Mump
Burrow BridgeShort, steep climb to the Mump, rewarded by stunning views of the Somerset Levels (flood planes) Unlike the nearby Glastonbury Tor, the site is not overcrowded. Free parking
Glastonbury is not only renowned for its festival but also for its rich history of spiritual pilgrimage for all faiths, healing energies and sacred sites. The Cathedral is the legendary burial place of King Arthur. Indulge in the scent and atmosphere of the many quirky shops such as Star Child The climb to the Tor is quite strenuous.
Combine Glastonbury,Wells and the Mump in one amazing trip from Old Orchard.
427 locals recommend
Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury is not only renowned for its festival but also for its rich history of spiritual pilgrimage for all faiths, healing energies and sacred sites. The Cathedral is the legendary burial place of King Arthur. Indulge in the scent and atmosphere of the many quirky shops such as Star Child The climb to the Tor is quite strenuous.
Combine Glastonbury,Wells and the Mump in one amazing trip from Old Orchard.
Stunning 13th century Cathedral with scissor arches, standing on the site of a Minster Church founded in 704 AD. Moated Bishop‘s palace. Vicar‘s Close is a 14th century, intact, purely residential street with original buildings.
295 locals recommend
Wells
Stunning 13th century Cathedral with scissor arches, standing on the site of a Minster Church founded in 704 AD. Moated Bishop‘s palace. Vicar‘s Close is a 14th century, intact, purely residential street with original buildings.
Food scene
Our local, ancient pub offers home cooked lunch and evening meals and real ale, also to take away. Breakfast available on Saturday. No need to worry about driving home, the York Inn is just a short stroll from Old Orchard.
York Inn station
Our local, ancient pub offers home cooked lunch and evening meals and real ale, also to take away. Breakfast available on Saturday. No need to worry about driving home, the York Inn is just a short stroll from Old Orchard.
Great food, home grown or locally sourced whenever possible. Highly recommended
26 locals recommend
The Cotley Inn
Great food, home grown or locally sourced whenever possible. Highly recommended
Freshly baked bread, an amazing variety of fillings and salads lets you create a snack or meal to your liking. There is soup of the day, chilli, desserts, cake, juice..... and all freshly prepared, often from organic, homegrown produce. The Yellow Deli in Honiton is well worth a visit.
7 locals recommend
The Yellow Deli
43-47 High StFreshly baked bread, an amazing variety of fillings and salads lets you create a snack or meal to your liking. There is soup of the day, chilli, desserts, cake, juice..... and all freshly prepared, often from organic, homegrown produce. The Yellow Deli in Honiton is well worth a visit.
History
Remnants of an important RAF base during WWII
Open Easter Sunday- last Sunday in October, Thursday-Sunday and bank hol. 11am-4pm. Airfield tour by appointment. 5 min. drive
Upottery
Open Easter Sunday- last Sunday in October, Thursday-Sunday and bank hol. 11am-4pm. Airfield tour by appointment. 5 min. drive
A Canadian enclave in Devonshire, burial place of John Simcoe, first lieutenant governor of upper Canada. A place for quiet reflection
Wolford Chapel
A Canadian enclave in Devonshire, burial place of John Simcoe, first lieutenant governor of upper Canada. A place for quiet reflection
National Trust property. Huge park with ancient trees. Great for a picnic
88 locals recommend
Knightshayes Gardens National Trust
National Trust property. Huge park with ancient trees. Great for a picnic
Glastonbury Torr, a place of pilgrimage for Christians and Pagans, steeped in history. The vibrant town is a special place.
229 locals recommend
Glastonbury
Glastonbury Torr, a place of pilgrimage for Christians and Pagans, steeped in history. The vibrant town is a special place.
National Trust properly set in a picturesque village. Great for walking too!
9 locals recommend
Montacute
National Trust properly set in a picturesque village. Great for walking too!
Immerse yourself in 400 million years of history. Dinosaur fossils, a Neolithic grave and artefacts, Roman mosaics and huge amounts of coins, jewellery…… A fascinating venue featuring a changing, themed exhibition and exhibits to the present day.
69 locals recommend
The Museum of Somerset
Castle GreenImmerse yourself in 400 million years of history. Dinosaur fossils, a Neolithic grave and artefacts, Roman mosaics and huge amounts of coins, jewellery…… A fascinating venue featuring a changing, themed exhibition and exhibits to the present day.
Bird watching
Home to a vast variety of birds, depends on season. Farm shop, coffee Free parking
A lovely walk from Old Orchard without having to use the car. If you are lucky, you might spot the beavers
6 locals recommend
Otterhead Lakes
A lovely walk from Old Orchard without having to use the car. If you are lucky, you might spot the beavers
RSPB Bowling Green Marsh
Bowling Green RoadBird watching
Neighbourhoods
At the hart of the village, 6 roads converge at an ancient crossroads. Weary travellers will have rested at the York Inn since dark ages. Opposite the pub is the old post office. It takes little imagination to picture the horse drawn coaches stopping there, getting fresh mounts, while the passengers crossed over the road for a drink and meal.
The post office is now situated in the village shop that offers a wide range of groceries, essentials and newspapers. Due to COVID restrictions, the shop is closed when the post office is open, Opening times vary due to covid. Closed on Sunday
Churchinford
At the hart of the village, 6 roads converge at an ancient crossroads. Weary travellers will have rested at the York Inn since dark ages. Opposite the pub is the old post office. It takes little imagination to picture the horse drawn coaches stopping there, getting fresh mounts, while the passengers crossed over the road for a drink and meal.
The post office is now situated in the village shop that offers a wide range of groceries, essentials and newspapers. Due to COVID restrictions, the shop is closed when the post office is open, Opening times vary due to covid. Closed on Sunday
Weave a basket or plant pyramid under Emma’s expert tuition in an eco friendly environment at Satori.
Churchstanton
Weave a basket or plant pyramid under Emma’s expert tuition in an eco friendly environment at Satori.
Walking
20th Century Castle with a beautiful Walk to Fingle Bridge (pub with excellent food) and back
Castle Drogo
Extensive trails and paths round the historic site dating back to the Iron Age. A short drive from Old Orchard. Beautiful woodland.
18 locals recommend
Castle Neroche
Extensive trails and paths round the historic site dating back to the Iron Age. A short drive from Old Orchard. Beautiful woodland.