Cider Barn
42142.9 miles NW of Sidmouth | Sleeps 4 + cot
7 Nights from £586
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
In the heart of the pretty village of Tipton St John, this pub offers a warm log fire in winter and plenty of outside seating in summer in the beer garden. The menu blends classic British with rustic French, courtesy of the French owners.
September 2019
Philip A. Wooster and Jean Wooster
We lunched at this pub. (We have eaten there previously).
Extensive menu to choose from. Food well prepared and presented.
Outside tables, some under cover. (Dogs allowed outside)
Nearby beach
This is a wide sandy and shingle beach with good access and parking nearby. Jacobs Ladder leads down to the beach from Connaught Gardens, a lovely place to take in the view. A great family beach, you'll find lots of facilities and cafes nearby. Dogs are allowed year round at the easterly end of the beach.
Nearby walk
Start at Newton Poppleford Church, between Exeter and Sidmouth, for quiet countryside and good views across the Otter Valley. A circular route of 6.25 miles starts towards the west of the village before linking with the East Devon Way and crossing the River Otter.
Nearby town
Sidmouth has all the classic appeal of a traditional English seaside resort, with wonderful Regency architecture and a genteel atmosphere. Tourism has been kind to the town, leaving its character intact. At the beginning of August the town rocks to the rhythm of the Sidmouth Folk Festival, a week of music, singing, dancing and storytelling.
April 2009
Sidmouth Folk Festival
For most of the year Sidmouth is a sleepy little seaside town, with a pebbly beach, great coast walks and really good ice-cream. But for the first week of August it turns into a fantastic festival with traditional folk sounds from all over the world, dancers, singers, musicians, ceilidhs til the early hours. It's really family friendly, with lots of craft activities for kids.
-D Brazendale
Also nearby
The focus here is on the animals, so there are no rides or play parks, just rescued donkeys to see and stroke. The Donkey Sanctuary is dog-friendly and admission is free.
November 2024
Fun for all ages
Lovely day out, young and old thoroughly entertained and well worth a visit
October 2019
Liz Riley
Loved this place! So well-kept and loads of gorgeous donkeys to stroke. Good cafe too.
July 2016
Dinky Donks
Lovely to visit, and as it's free you can spend as little or as long as you like. Not just donkeys, there are some walks / trails to follow and a good cafe.
April 2012
A great family day out, free entry, free parking, all facilities on site are good - from eating to toilets, beautiful grounds. Only downside is reliant on reasonable weather as mostly outdoors.
June 2009
A wonderful day out for all the family - go on a fine day as you can walk a long way. A great bonus is that it is FREE to visit and there is no pressure on visitors to pay anything - but you will want to help this super charity.
February 2009
The donkey sanctuary is a brilliant day out for families. We have been here on numerous occasions and it is a joy to see the smiles on the childrens faces as they interact with the donkeys. We are always made to feel very welcome and the staff are very well informed.
January 2009
One of the largest in the world. Great for children and adults will enjoy it too.
- J M Wynne
There's plenty to keep you busy here, with 63 acres of stunning gardens, historic glass houses and a woodland railway. Not to mention an Italian garden, Mediterranean and rose gardens, fernery, hermitage garden, pinetum and arboretum. Bicton also boasts 25 champion trees - the tallest/largest of their kind in Britain. At a dizzying 41m, the Grecian fir is the tallest ever recorded. Outdoor and indoor play areas, mini golf, a restaurant, shop and garden centre make it a great day out for all the family. Accepts Tesco Clubcard Days Out Vouchers.
November 2024
Great place well worth a visit
Lovely grounds with very enjoyable train which also very useful for lesser mobile visitors to see al on offer. Good cafeteria at more reasonable prices than many local eateries and pubs. Also very interesting countryside museum. All ages seemed very happy for a good day out
August 2023
Lovely amazing gardens
Lovely impressive gardens, amazing range of flowers/plants. The glass houses are outstanding. Been there several times at different times of the year always something new to see. Restaurant has good range of food. Gift shop well set out with great range of things, always come back with something for my garden. Great range of plants to buy too. Everywhere clean and tidy and well kept, credit to the team who work here.
November 2010
Bicton Park Gardens
We have visited the gardens several times now and there is much to enjoy whatever the season, from the glory of these majestic peaceful gardens on shimmering sunny days to frosty winter visits to Santa's Grotto. Our experience and that of our guests has always been extremely enjoyable, whether accompanied by the more seasoned or the youngest of our relatives. There is lots to see with the 18inch guage railway a must, the glasshouses and the lovely agriculural museum. If you plan to visit more than once then the annual membership is worth considering, as it also provides you with free access to Morwellham Quay and 5% discount in the shop and restuartant.
February 2009
Glorious Glasshouses
The glasshouses are very impressive. You will find many rare palms in the beautiful 19th Century Palm House, while the Arid House contains weird and wonderful cacti and the lush Tropical House abounds with exotic blooms. There is certainly lots to see here.
February 2009
Great family day out, with plenty to keep the kids entertained.
In a lovely setting overlooking Sidmouth and the bay, these gardens offer a fine range of plants which thrive in the temperate climate. A leafet with a guided walk is available from the attached Web site. The Clock Tower Cafe serves light refreshments throughout the day.
August 2023
Amazing views and restful
Lovely gardens with some unusual plants, we have visited several times and always go here when in the area. Gardens are very well designed and kept in great condition.❤️
The café has lovely range of food to suit everyone. Plenty of places to sit within the garden. Just love the place, so very restful. Recommend to friends and family
September 2016
Simply delightful throughout the year these gardens are divided into 'rooms' each planted to perfection. The vista could not be bettered with the sea appearing far below and between the creative planting out to the horizon providing the perfect backdrop. A superb little cafe sells everything delicious to encourage you to sit down and savour the delightful planting around you. Jacob's ladder tempts you down to the waters edge with it's pebbled and sandy beach but for those of us less agile the gardens can be accessed almost on the level from Manor car park. Most weekends throughout the summer a band will be playing and occasionally outdoor theatre performed. These lovely gardens are really worth a visit
Excellent food and great pub atmosphere with plenty of outside seating for balmy summer evenings and a roaring open fire for cooler weather. Dogs are welcome.
October 2023
Excellent food
A great country pub with such friendly staff and excellent food
October 2016
You have to visit here !
The Masons Arms, from the outside it looks stunning, charming thatch, honey stone, you expect so much from this first impression, well we were not disappointed, inside the atmosphere is spot on, and the food, local beers and especially the service from the ever attentive staff was brilliant. Welcomes dogs too, a truly British pub experience.
Glad we are not locals, we'd be in here every day !
August 2011
Great crab ploughman's!
Get there early at lunch time for a table outside in the summer. The famous crab ploughman's makes a wonderful lunch - washed down with the local Branscombe Bitter. For me the beer of the week!
March 2009
Chocclate box pub in a chocolate box village
The Mason Arms is a very popular pub in the heart of Branscombe village. It has lots of nooks and crannies and plenty of eating space, although it can get extremely busy in the summer months and at bank holidays - make sure you book ahead for a table. The food is fresh, great quality and very well cooked - a surefire winner!
17 wooden barrels are coated in tar, set alight and carted shoulder-high through the streets of the town. Yes, on fire. It’s been a tradition since 1605-ish and probably started to brace the town for the imminent invasion of the Spanish Armada.
January 2011
Amazing!
This really is a spectacular event. The atmosphere is electric as locals hurtle through the streets with the flaming barrels hoisted onto their backs. Thousands of people come to witness the tradition each year - if you don't like crowds, then this is probably not the event for you, but you can take refuge by the huge bonfire, which has to be one of the largest and most impressive in the South West, if not the country.
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