Welcome to Ruby Country

Enclosed by the upland expanses of Bodmin, Exmoor and Dartmoor, and to the north by the wild North Devon coast, Ruby Country is very much "undiscovered Devon".

A haven of tranquillity, with some of the blackest night skies in the UK, a visit to Ruby Country is a visit to the deepest darkest Devon, where you can experience the peace and quiet of being truly off the beaten track.

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Welcome to deepest darkest Devon

An ideal base to explore the West Country.

Holsworthy: 5 miles
Launceston: 12 miles
Bude: 15 miles
Tintagel: 30 miles
Boscastle: 28 miles
Bideford: 22 miles
Dartmoor: 20 miles
Exmoor: 38 miles
Bodmin moor 18 miles
Looe: 36 miles
Polperro: 39 miles

Hay Meadow Farm is located between Holsworthy & Launceston on the Devon & Cornwall border.

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Cornwall

Cornwall has the longest stretch of continuous coastline in Britain, you’ll discover tiny Cornish fishing villages, secret coves, spectacular beaches, sweeping bays and dramatic cliffs, plus beautiful moorland and stunning countryside.

Take a trip around the South West and you’ll discover a hugely diverse stunning landscape abundant with wildlife.

Devon

Devon has its historical origins in classical antiquity and derives its name from Dumnonia, which, during the British Iron Age and Roman Britain, was the homeland of the Dumnonii Celts.

The Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain resulted in the partial assimilation of Dumnonia into the Kingdom of Wessex during the eighth and ninth centuries, Devon was constituted as a shire of the Kingdom of England thereafter. The River Tamar forms the western boundary with Cornwall.

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So Much To See & Do...

Landscapes that melt together rambling moors, rolling hills and postcard-shot beaches dotted with medieval market towns and cathedral spires.

South West England shouts 'picturesque' from every corner. Hiking and biking trails criss-cross valleys and ridgeways, wind between stone-built villages and traverse towering gorges. Legends of mystical moorland beasts and stone circles lead you through endless Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Foodies should fast well in advance for a gourmet trip stuffed with cream teas, fruity cider and crumbly cheeses.

visit-eden-project

The Eden Project

The Eden Project visitor attraction in Cornwall is a great day out for the whole family, to explore the largest indoor rainforest in the world. Inside the artificial biomes are plants that are collected from all around the world. The complex is dominated by two huge enclosures consisting of adjoining domes that house plant species, and each enclosure emulates a natural biome. The first dome simulates tropical and the second a Mediterranean environment.
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RHS Garden Rosemoor

Rosemoor Garden is an internationally renowned collection of truly stunning gardens in North Devon now run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Uncover RHS Garden Rosemoor, nestled within encircling woodlands, it's a garden whose varied character reflects the history of this incredibly beautiful site. With a huge variety of garden designs, you can enjoy a wonderful day out or you can join in the fun with all-year-round events. Free to RHS Members.
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Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan (Cornish: Lowarth Helygen, meaning "willow tree garden"), are one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. Today the mysterious Lost Gardens and Heligan Estate offers over 200 acres for exploration. Discover restored Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds, a lush sub-tropical Jungle, ancient woodlands and a fascinating Wildlife Project.
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Tintagel Castle

For a magical day out take the family to Tintagel Castle. Its wonderful location, set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, offers dramatic panoramic views, and its fascinating ruins and stunning beach cafe make it a perfect day trip. Tintagel Castle is steeped in legend and mystery; said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, you can still visit nearby Merlin's Cave.
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Amazing coastlines of rugged cliffs & sandy beaches...
there is lots to explore.

Here is a small selection of some of the local North Cornwall beaches...
Widemouth-Bay

Widemouth
Bay Beach

Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide Recommended 2014 - excellent water quality. Widemouth Bay is a very long open bay popular with families and surfers and at low tide, there are hundreds of rock pools to explore.
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Northcott Mouth Beach

Northcott Mouth Beach

Ruggedly beautiful, Northcott Mouth is a rocky cove, but a sandy beach emerges when the tide is out. At low tide, the wreck of the SS Belem is revealed along with lots of rocky pools and streams ideal to splash and play in.
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Sandymouth Beach

Sandymouth Beach

When the tide is at its lowest, it is possible to take in the spectacular coastline between Bude and Sandymouth by walking the two miles along the beach. Returning by the coast path, a very pleasant, circular walk.
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Duckpool-Beach

Duckpool
Beach

A wild and romantic cove with a small west-facing beach, Duckpool is often less crowded when other beaches are buzzing. with the spectacular peak of Steeple Point Cliff over 100 metres high dominates the beach.
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Crooklets-Beach

Crooklets
Beach

A wide expanse of golden sand is exposed at low tide, bordered by rocky outcrops ideal for rock-pooling. Very popular with surfers and is home to the Bude Surf Life Saving Club. The beach has great facilities and parking.
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Crackington Haven Beach

Crackington Haven Beach

Crackington Haven is a lovely shingle cove dominated by majestic cliffs and offering a stretch of golden sand, along with many rock pools, when the tide is out. Lifeguard cover from the middle of July until the beginning of September
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clovelly village

Clovelly Village

The picturesque, historic, fishing village of Clovelly is uniquely special in that it has no cars on its streets. Donkeys and sledges are the only form of transport along with its cobbled ways. Its flower-strewn cottages "tumble like a waterfall" down a cleft in the 400' cliff to the tiny working port and C14th quay. The South West Coast Path runs from the village to Hartland Quay is particularly spectacular.
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Castle Drogo

Castle Drogo

The last castle built in England Castle Drogo is a magnificent modern fantasy in granite, built in the heart of Dartmoor by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the India tea baron Julius Drewe. Inside it feels comfortable, sophisticated and personal. Outside there is a large and beautiful formal garden and glorious walks through the 700-acre estate that includes the wooded gorge of the River Teign.
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Becky Falls

Becky Falls

No visit to Devon would be complete without a day at Dartmoor’s famous Becky Falls. With stunning woodland and waterfall walks, animals galore and totally hands-on animal encounter shows and feeding sessions, there really is something for all ages to enjoy at an all-inclusive price. Set within a spectacular ancient valley, Becky Falls has been attracting visitors for over 100 years and, as well as being voted Devon’s Top Beauty Spot, it was also chosen as one of the World Wildlife Fund’s Incredible Family Days Out.
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Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge

This lush oak-wooded steep-sided river gorge (the deepest in the South West), with its natural beauty, fascinating history and many legends, can be explored through a variety of exhilarating short or long walks. Around every corner, the river Lyd plunges, tumbles, swirls and gently meanders as it travels through the gorge. Discover the magical 30-metre-high Whitelady Waterfall and walk out over the Devil's Cauldron, a natural pothole. There is also an abundance of wildlife and plants to see, from woodland birds to wild garlic.
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Devon & Cornwall is home to some panoramic landscapes, ancient mystical monuments, abundant wildlife and some extremely pretty picturesque towns & villages.

A few ideas for great days out to some beautiful historic local villages & landmarks...
Bostcastle

Tintagel & Bostcastle

Tintagel is steeped in the legend of King Arthur, you can visit the ruins of the castle and even Merlin's cave. Boscastle is an extremely pretty natural harbour and village.
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clapper-bridge

Explore Dartmoor

Dartmoor has a varied landscape from the wild rugged moorland of the west to the wooden valleys and quaint riverside villages in the east Dartmoor is ready to explore.
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polperro

Looe & Polperro

Polperro squeezes down the valley of narrow streets to a small harbour with fisherman’s cottages and where sail lofts hang and mutter the bygone tales of pirates..
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Port Isaac

Padstow & Port Isacc

Both North Cornish fishing villages are very quaint, beautiful in their own rights and now made even more famous by Chef Rick Stein and the TV show Doc Martin.
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lanhydrock house

Lanhydrock House

Lanhydrock, near Bodmin, is a magnificent late Victorian country house with extensive servants quarters, gardens and a wooded estate. It is the perfect country estate, with the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home. The kitchens, nurseries and servants' quarters offer a thrilling glimpse into life 'below stairs', while the spacious dining room and bedrooms are deeply elegant. The house has more than 50 rooms to explore and is set in wooded parkland of 1,000 acres and encircled by a garden of rare shrubs and trees.
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Tamar Otter Center

Tamar Otter Center

On your visit to the Tamar Otter & Wildlife Center, you will see British and Asian Short Clawed Otters playing and being fed close at hand. There are Fallow Deer in a woodland enclosure and you will see Wallabies and Muntjac Deer roaming around the 21-acre grounds. We have several Owl species, Peacocks and a variety of Waterfowl on the two Lakes. There is a woodland walk leading to the Old Quarry where you will see the Scottish Wildcats. Continue on and you will come to the tranquil Quarry Pool.
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Buckland Abbey

Buckland Abbey

When you visit Buckland, you follow over 700 years of footsteps. The Abbey is part museum, part house, and filled with treasures such as the legendary Drake’s Drum. You’ll discover meadows, orchards and woodlands where you can enjoy far-reaching views of the Tavy Valley. Our way-marked trails are a riot of colour through the seasons, with an unmissable carpet of bluebells in spring. At the cider house, herbaceous borders provide seasonal interest and a secret ‘wild’ garden is a wonderful place for quiet contemplation.
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Morwellham Quay

Morwellham Quay

Once the greatest copper port in Queen Victoria's Empire, after the mines and port closed the village 'fell asleep' for over half a century, until it was re-discovered. Step back in time to 1865 to explore and discover this fascinating village, where costumed guides introduce you to child labour, you can take part in a Victorian school lesson. A unique journey underground in the mine train through the copper mine and back along the banks of the River Tamar, a fascinating insight into the life and work of the 19th.
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Find Us By Car

It is highly recommended that if you are visiting this area that you come by car or another form of independent transport, we are truly rural here, even the nearest bus service is 4 miles away.

Using SatNav?
Our postcode is EX21 5DJ; if using a sat nav please note this will place you in the centre of the postcode zone, this is outside the driveway to Hunscott Barn. To find Hay Meadow Farm from here make sure Hunscott Barn is to your left. Follow the road for 100m and take the first turning to the right. Hay Meadow Farm is located another 100m on the right.

From Okehampton:
take the B3260 (New Rd) signposted to Holsworthy. Keep following Holsworthy signs and you will come onto the A3079 Holsworthy Road. (see continued below)

From A30 (coming from East):
take the Sourton Down junction (with Prewley Arms, Travel Lodge & Garage) Take A386 North signposted to Holsworthy & Hatherleigh. At the first roundabout take the first exit and follow A3079 Holsworthy Road. (see continued below)

Continued:
Follow the A3079 Holsworthy Road for 9 miles to Halwill Junction, travel through Halwill Junction staying on the A3079 for a further 2.5 miles, where the road bends to the right with a left hand turning and a pull in bus stop. Turn left here signed to Ashwater and signs to the Alpaca Park. Continue along this single track road for 2 miles, you will pass the Alpaca Park on your right, the winds through woodland and will incline up Bendibus Hill. At the top of Bendibus Hill, you will come to a crossroads, turn left here signed to Hay Meadow Farm & Halwill. Hay Meadow Farm is located 300 meters on the left.

From A30 Launceston:
From A30 West or Launceston Follow A388 Signed to Holsworthy for 10 miles until you reach the village of Clawton. You will see Clawton School on your right, take the first right turning at the crossroads in the Centrex of the village after the school, it is signed to Ashwater and a brown tourist sign to the Vine Yard. Follow this road for 1.5 miles. You will arrive at a crossroad where you must give way (although the road directly ahead is a dead-end). Turn right here signed to Ashwater. Travel for 300m and you will come to another crossroads where you have right of way, straight on would take you to Ashwater or right to Blaggdon Manor, here you must turn left signed to Halwill. Follow this road for 1 mile taking your second turning left. There is a sign here for Hay Meadow Farm, the farm is located a further 100m on the right.

From Holsworthy:
From Holsworthy take the A388 to Launceston, follow this road for 3 miles until arriving at the village of Clawton. In the Centrex of the village turn left at the crossroads signed to Ashwater and a brown tourist signs to the Vine Yard. Follow this road for 1.5 miles. You will arrive at a crossroad where you must give way (although the road directly ahead is a dead-end). Turn right here signed to Ashwater. Travel for 300m and you will come to another crossroads where you have right of way, straight on would take you to Ashwater or right to Blaggdon Manor, here you must turn left signed to Halwill. Follow this road for 1 mile taking your second turning left. There is a sign here for Hay Meadow Farm, the farm is located a further 100m on the right.

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Some Useful Local Travel Links

A few ideas for great days out to some beautiful historic local villages & landmarks...

Local Taxi

We are very happy to recommend a friendly professional taxi company.

Parkers Cars - Holsworthy

Tel: 07794 637143

Local Airports

The two nearest airports to us are Exeter & Newquay

Exeter Int. Airport

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Newquay Airport

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Train Info

The nearest train station is unfortunately Exeter St Davids, some 40 miles away. Bus & Taxis are available from here.

Southwest Trains

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Local Buses

The local bus service is run by First Group. The nearest station to us is Halwill Junction, still some 4 miles away.

First Group

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