Old Bakery Cottage
Musbury, East Devon. Tel.0759 8330068
MUSBURY
Musbury is a pretty village near the Jurassic Coast in East Devon.It has a great local pub, The Hind serving good food and real ales, and a well stocked Spar shop and petrol station.
The local towns of Seaton and Axminster are well appointed with a good range of independant shops and supermarkets, while further afield the larger towns of Sidmouth, Honiton, Bridport and Exeter provide a more varied shopping experience.
Situated on the East Devon Way Musbury provides an idea location for exploring the beautiful Axe Valley and Jurassic Coast. Ideal for walkers with both countryside and dramatic beaches nearby, ideal for art lovers and plenty to do for families.
Out and About.
Axe Valley
The Axe Valley is the perfect place to base your West Country holiday, with close access to beautiful coast and countryside and numerous places to visit. Local attractions include Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's widely acclaimed River Cottage Canteen (Axminster) and HQ (Musbury) for dining, courses and events. Visit the farm and soak up the atmosphere of the the TV programmes location. Old Dairy Kitchen (Musbury) offers cookery courses and seasonal home grown dining, while Castlewood Vineyard (including a wine festival in June) and Lyme Bay Winery offer wine tasting.
Lyme Regis
The dramatic Jurassic coastline at Lyme Regis is a backdrop for an array of attractions and events. These include the Fossil festival, a Jazz festival, Food Rocks, Lifeboat week and the Folk Festival as well as the sandy beach, unique independant shops and galleries, and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes including The Lyme Bay, Swim, Monmouth Kitchen and the much acclaimed Robin Wylde.The Town Mill hosts an ever changing calender of exhibitions and events in its two galleries, and brings together the well established local arts scene. Lyme Regis and Charmouth are also the places to go fossil hunting.
Sidmouth
The beautiful Regency town of Sidmouth is a must visit during any stay in the area. It's long promanade, magnificent coastal cliffs and beautiful buildings host an interesting town centre with many independant shops, galleries and restaurants. The town takes on a different feel during the first week in August when the Sidmouth Folk Week takes over the town. Many nationally and internationally acclaimed folk artists perform during the week long event and there are many events for those with different tastes, including street entertainment and buskers and a vibrant market along the seafront.
At Axmouth there is a lovely golf course high on the cliffs overlooking the sea while below in Seaton, the Seaton Tramway takes a romantic trip through the Axe Valley to Colyton with plenty of opportunity for bird watching on the way and a cream tea at Colyton station. Next to the Tramway start is the newly opened, fully interactive, Seaton Jurassic Centre which explores the history of the area and its geological importance.
Bridport and beyond
Head east from Musbury to Bridport you will find another charming town with a lively art and theatre culture. On Saturdays and Wednesdays the town hosts a large market with over 100 stalls including a well established antiques and collectables quarter, local crafts, as well as great food, plants and household items.
Further on from Bridport you can take the coast road to Abbotsbury (a stunning drive with views along Chesil beach) where in spring you can see newly hatches swans at Abbotsbury Swannery and visit the delightful village with its distinctive yellowy sandstone cottages. Dorchester and Weymouth also offer interesting destinations including many attractions connected to Thomas Hardy and his books, and also great walks along the Wessex Ridge way.
For those with children at visit to Crealy adventure park is a must, as well as a trip to Charmouth Fossil hunting.
Axe Valley Wildlife Park is a small and friendly zoo (the absolutely favourite of our tiny twin niece and nephew).
Exeter is a fine city with a large new shopping centre and John Lewis, a great Museum, RAMM, and other attractions including the Underground Passages and Exeter Quay.
Taunton has a good shopping centre and the beautiful Somerset levels on its doorstep.
And no trip would be complete without a visit to Dartmoor (about 1 hour).
Some interesting links:-
Fossils in my Pocket..an interesting blog about the area
Rosemary Jacks Pottery.. Pottery handmade at Old Bakery, Musbury.