within the locality
- The small local market towns of Honiton (famous lace making and it abundance of antique shops) and Wellington offer a charming selection of small independent shops. Honiton also has a street market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Sports centres can be found in Wellington 01823 663010 (www.toneleisure.org.uk) and Honiton 01404 42325 www.ledleisure.co.uk
- In Wellington you'll find The Wellesley, a small, independent, old-fashioned cinema which as well as showing the latest films in the New Year it stages the towns annual pantomime. Visit www.wellesleytheatre.co.uk
- Many visitors bring their bikes and there is lots of cycling for all (some hilly and other, more forgiving routes). Your bikes can be stored in the Old Dairy adjacent to the cottage.
- Wallace's Farm Shop sells excellent meats. It also has a wonderful cafe (ideal for coffee and light lunch). Also you can meet some of the farm livestock which makes it a hit with the children.
- Three hard tennis courts are available for hire in Hemyock. Please contact Sue Lambert (secretary of Hemyock Tennis Club) on 01823 680664 for more information.
- Bring your horse on holiday! At Higher Mackham Farm (¾ mile) there are
livery stables and a manage. Tuition is available. Contact Michelle Matthews on 01823 680376. - The Blackdown Hills Cross Country Course is available for use (3 miles). You must book first on 01823 681450. Visit www.blackdownhillscrosscountry.co.uk
- Sheldon Equestrian Centre (01823 681118) and Heazle Riding Centre (01823 680280 www.heazle.co.uk) offer horse riding tuition for all levels of ability.
- Fly and Course Fishing are offered locally at either Goodiford Mill Fisheries, Kentisbeare (01884 266233 www.goodifordmillleisure.co.uk) or Hollies Trout Farm and Fishery (01404 841428 www.holliestroutfarm.co.uk).
- Farmers David and Meg Palmer run a traditional beef and sheep farm ½ mile from the cottage. They sell meat produced on the farm (beef, pork and lamb) and charcoal. They also give guided walks. Contact Meg on 01823 680467 for further information.
- The Land rover Experience West country is one of 9 Landrover off-roading centres in the UK. Visit www.lre9.com
- Anyone over the age of 14 (no upper limit) can take flying lessons or enjoy an air experience flight at Devon and Somerset Flight Training. www.dsft.co.uk
- Every dreamt of making a parachute jump? Sky Dive UK can facilitate this so take the leap whilst away. www.parachuting-uk.com
- Blackdown Hills Hedge Association is a local group of people working and living on the Blackdown Hills who are dedicated to preserving the craft of hedge laying and other allied skills. Why not tie your stay in with one of the range of courses from traditional hedge laying through to making a blackdown trug or hedgerow chair. Further detail at www.blackdownhills-hedge.org.uk
- The Old Kennels offer courses on traditional arts and crafts (such as herbal remedies, soap making and book binding). Visit www.theoldkennels.co.uk
- For keen gardeners, a few local properties are entered in the Yellow Book including Pikes Cottage, Madford; Newtons Farm Hemyock and Regency House, Hemyock. For more information visit www.ngs.org.uk
- Don Jones Fishmongers, Wellington was voted Independent Fishmonger of the Year 2007. The shop in Cornhill, Wellington is well worth a visit. He also supplies boxes of fresh fish. Visit www.donjonesfish.co.uk