North of England
Scotland
About 2 miles from the little hamlet of Gulworthy, surrounded by woodland is Rock View Cottage. This detached stone-built single-storey cottage, with your own 4-person hot tub, once served nearby Wheal Josiah, the now abandoned, but one time richest copper mine in Europe.
The cottage has been thoughtfully restored, lime-rendered walls and oak floors complement the stylish decor, creating a luxurious and rustic feel. Ceiling-high, glazed bi-fold doors flood the sitting room with light.
There's a little dining area, a wood burning stove and a smart kitchen. The double bedroom has a huge bed, demanding long lie-ins and easy starts, and the lavish bathroom has a fabulous roll-top bath.
Outside is a private woodland garden with a table, chairs and barbecue - an idyllic spot to unwind. Beyond the garden are acres of woodland and the Tamar Trails activity centre for walking/cycling around 20 minutes walk away.
Nearby are the historic market town of Tavistock, The Nat. Trust's Cotehele House, Buckland Abbey and Morwellham Quay location of the BBC's 'Edwardian Farm'.
Further afield, Plymouth has shops, theatres, the Nat. Marine Aquarium and historic Barbican.
Rock View Cottage is a peaceful and picturesque retreat where you can choose to do as little or as much as you wish.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of Rock View Cottage, with real driving times.
Sat nav: PL7 5FB
A charity-run zoo on the edge of Dartmoor, with a breeding programme and the story behind We Bought a Zoo.
Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre zoo just north of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It is run by a charity that focuses on conservation, education and research, and it belongs to BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sat nav: PL4 0LF
See over 5,000 sea creatures in Plymouth, from local sharks and rays to Caribbean reef fish and jellyfish.
The National Marine Aquarium sits in Sutton Harbour, near the Barbican in Plymouth. It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity, and is split into four zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet. You'll see local sharks, rays and octopus, a jellyfish exhibit, and a huge Atlantic tank holding around 1,000 Caribbean fish, with lemon and sand tiger sharks.
Tip: Pre-book your tickets online, as entry can't be guaranteed without a booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
Sat nav: PL14 3PJ
Zip wire, giant swing, karting and an inflatable aquapark in a flooded Cornish quarry.
Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.
Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.
Sat nav: PL20 6EY
A former Cistercian abbey turned Elizabethan home of Sir Francis Drake, with gardens, a medieval barn and woodland walks.
Buckland Abbey was founded as a Cistercian abbey in 1278 and later became the home of Sir Francis Drake. Unusually, the church was kept as the heart of the house when it was converted. Explore the Grade I listed building, where Drake's Drum is part of the collection, then see the medieval Great Barn next to the house.
Tip: Dogs on leads can go almost everywhere except the Kitchen Garden, but only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Abbey. Parking is free.
Sat nav: PL7 4NW
Ride a steam or diesel train through the Plym Valley on a restored part of an old Great Western branch line.
The Plym Valley Railway is a heritage railway on part of the old Great Western line from Plymouth to Tavistock, which closed in 1962. Trains run from Marsh Mills station to Plym Bridge, a journey of about 1.5 miles of track. Marsh Mills is also a railway centre where volunteers preserve and restore steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and wagons.
Tip: There is no parking at Marsh Mills station, but the Coypool Park and Ride car park is directly opposite and can be used by railway visitors at weekends.
Sat nav: EX6 6PB
Lutyens designed England's last castle, a granite home above the Teign Gorge with gardens and walks.
Castle Drogo is a country house and mixed-revivalist castle near Drewsteignton, built between 1911 and 1930 and known as the last castle built in England. Edwin Lutyens designed it for Julius Drewe, the founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. It is built of granite and overlooks the Teign Gorge. The castle is Grade I listed and the gardens are Grade II* listed.
Tip: The car park has limited spaces, so if it is full, come back another time rather than parking along the drive, which blocks farm vehicles.
Sat nav: PL22 0HN
A remarkably intact circular castle keep above the River Fowey, with battlement walks and wide countryside views.
Restormel Castle stands on a high, deeply ditched mound overlooking the River Fowey near Lostwithiel. Its huge, almost perfectly circular keep is one of the best-preserved of its type, and it was once a luxurious residence linked to the Earls of Cornwall and Edward the Black Prince.
Tip: Bring a picnic to enjoy at the castle, and combine your visit with a walk in the Fowey valley.
Sat nav: PL35 0HD
A Cornish village museum devoted to European witchcraft and folk magic, with a collection described as the world's largest.
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is in the village of Boscastle in Cornwall. It is dedicated to European witchcraft and magic, with exhibits on folk magic, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry and Wicca. Its collection of such objects has been described as the largest in the world.
Tip: The museum's website says there is no parking at the museum, so plan how you will get to Boscastle before you set off.
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
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