Walking
The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is on Harper’s Cottage doorstep, is located on the border of Cornwall and Devon, and includes the valleys of the Tamar, Tavy and Lynher. For further details of the AONB see www.tamarvalley.org.uk. We are also located within easy access to both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor.
Some of the nicest walks on Dartmoor can be accessed through Tavistock. Going out on the A386 towards Lydford there are easy walks on either side of the road with ready access onto open moorland. One of our favourites is at Lydford/Widgery Cross taking the small lane on the right immediately after the Dartmoor Inn.
Or take the B3357 just outside of Tavistock and head up in the direction of Two Bridges. As you enter the moor (you’ll see the brown signs) there is a large car park on your right and there are a number of circular walks from there which take in fabulous views and impressive tors.
Further down the same road and past Merrivale you’ll come to Four Winds Car Park from where you can walk out to the old granite quarries and explore the railway line that used to run between Plymouth and Princeton.
Cardinham Woods on Bodmin has a large variety of trails, short and long for the more adventurous – https://www.forestryengland.uk/cardinham-woods/walking-trails-cardinham-woods Cardinham has a big car park, café and is dog friendly.
The Golitha Falls on Bodmin are a series of spectacular cascades and waterfalls along a section of the River Fowey as it makes its way through the ancient oak woodland of Draynes Wood. It is one of the best known beauty spots on Bodmin Moor.
As the river flows through the woods the scenery varies, from wide wooded glades to the steep sided, craggy gorge where the falls are at their most dramatic. Over the course of the falls the river descends 90 metres meaning the water is always fast flowing. However, to capture Golitha Falls at their most spectacular you should try to visit after heavy rain on the moors.
