Located inland, the village of Winkleigh is situated around mid-way between Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park so could be an ideal place for a rural retreat break. When you take a cottage holiday in Winkleigh you are in the village considered to be the best place in the country to bring up a family. In a study in 2011 Winkleigh came top for being a safe place and having good access to green spaces. This historic village sits high up in rural farmland and is surrounded by green spaces. It is the perfect country getaway spot yet with good road access to other parts of north and south Devon.
What Winkleigh offers for Cottage Breaks
Mostly self-sufficient, Winkleigh has two pubs, a post office, butchers shop and general stores. There is also a church, village hall, sports centre and primary school. All Saints, the parish church at Wickleigh, dates back to the late 12th century with its first holy man taking up his position in 1202. He heads a list of priests who served the community that can be seen in the church.
It is the location that attracts visitors to Wickleigh today, surrounded by some beautiful Devonshire countryside and less than 10 miles drive away from the edge of Dartmoor. The coast may be more than 5 minutes away if you’re driving, but there are some lovely beaches and fine attractions at Teignmouth and Dawlish and Torbay is easily within a comfortable distance. All in all a stay at Winkleigh offers you the opportunity to discover some of the best of Devon’s coast and countryside on a self-catering break.
The nearest town to Winkleigh is Oakhampton. This busy market town has an array of traditional shops lining narrow streets and many restaurants offering a variety of home and ethnic cooking. You can visit the ruins of once the largest castle in Devon that is floodlit at night. One of the more fanciful stories associated with the castle and Tavistock is one of the ghost of Lady Howard which is said to be seen in her coach, driven by a headless driver so visiting after dark may not be recommended!
Whether you opt to stay in a historical cottage, a thatched cottage or a rural retreat, have a fantastic time in this part of the West Country.
Book a Winkleigh cottage and look forward to discovering some of the best of Devon on holiday.
