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Things To Do

Bikes Leaning on Wall with a View Over the Estuary at Instow North Devon

Explore North Devon

Devon is a hub of activity and you will never be short of things to do on your break

There are great activities available close to the Royal & Fortescue Hotel to make your stay even more memorable.

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RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Exclusive Discounts

When staying with us at The Royal & Fortescue Hotel, we want you to get the most out of your stay and enjoy all that North Devon has to offer. With that in mind, we have teamed up with many local attractions and are pleased to offer you the following discounts.
Royal and Fortescue Hotel Bar 62 Bartender Making Smoking Cocktail

The Barnstaple Collection

As our guest, you are now entitled to some exclusive North Devon discounts and benefits! This includes the use of the leisure facilities at our nearby sister hotel, plus food and drinks savings at a number of luxury locations.
crowd at a music festival

Local Events

Plan an even more memorable stay with the help of our diary of local events in the area, from Bonfire nights at The Big Sheep to beach side festivals North Devon has it all.
The outdoor pool and sun loungers at the Barnstaple Hotel

Leisure

As our guest at the Royal & Fortescue Hotel, you can use the amazing facilities at the Barnstaple Health and Leisure Club completely free of charge. Only a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk away, the health and leisure club is situated at our sister property, the Barnstaple Hotel.

Local Attractions

Here are some of our top choices for amazing things to do. What's more, you can enjoy exclusive discounts to local Devon attractions when you stay with us.

 
2 girls trampolining

Air Extreme

Enjoy 10% off when staying with us

Bounce, flip and let loose on the wall-to-wall trampolines inside Air Extreme for an exciting activity for all the family. Situated in Barnstaple (25 minutes from us), the park offers a wide range of fun sessions from disco to fitness.

Distance: 2.4 miles [approx. 9 mins]

Pannier Market Barnstaple North Devon

Barnstaple Pannier Market

Dating back to 1884, the Market trades every day of the week on Butchers Row and hosts regular food festivals. A great place to browse for local produce and gifts.

Distance: 210 yards [approx. 1 min]

Marwood Hill Gardens North Devon

Marwood Hill Gardens

Only 4 miles from Barnstaple, Marwood Hill Gardens is an excellent 20 acre private garden and lakes, with a Garden Tea Room and wonderful views.

Distance: 3.9 miles [approx. 13 mins]

family shopping

Affinity Devon Shopping Outlet

Fantastic shopping with over 30 stores from famous national brands, offering a fantastic variety of offers on normal retail prices. Clothes, food and drink, children's play area and regular events - what more could you want from a shopping trip? Open seven days a week.

Distance: 13 miles [approx. 23 mins]

National Trust Arlington Court

Arlington Court

Soak up over 500 years of history at the Chichester family’s stunning estate, complete with lovely gardens, a beautiful house and a fascinating carriage museum.

Distance: 8.3 miles [approx. 18 mins]

Museum visit

Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon

Explore the brilliant displays and collections at Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

Among the many things to see are the Tarka Gallery, the Story of North Devon, and the Regimental Collection of the North Devon Yeomanry.

Distance: 0.3 miles [approx. 3 mins]

Dartington Crystal

Dartington Crystal

Watch the highly skilled craftsmen shape beautiful crystal perfecting an art form 3 000 years in the making. The tour of the glass factory allows visitors to get really close in complete safety on elevated viewing galleries.

Distance: 9.3 miles [approx. 27 mins]

lemurs at exmoor zoo

Exmoor Zoo

15% off entry when you stay with us

Exmoor Zoo is an award winning zoo that has a mission to promote education and conservation.  It’s a  friendly zoo which allows visitors to get really close to the animals in its care.

Distance: 10 miles [approx. 21 mins]

Combe Martin Dinosaur Park

Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park

At Coombe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, you can see some wonderful wildlife including wolves, sea lions, meerkats and African Lions. Also featured are impressive dinosaur models and some unusual attractions, such as swimming with sea lions and experiencing birds of prey at close hand.

Distance: 12 miles [approx. 23 mins]

RHS Rosemoor Gardens

RHS Gardens Rosemoor

Receive £8 entry instead of £12.65 when you stay with us

Only a few miles from the Royal & Fortescue Hotel, this beautiful 65-acre garden is meticulously planted, within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides and hotel guests are entitled to discounted entry!

Distance: 13 miles [approx. 27 mins]

Sheep with lamb on back

The Big Sheep

If you’re looking for a great day out for all the family a visit to The BIG Sheep is a must! The famous attraction is now firmly established as one of the UK’s most innovative & exciting family attractions providing wacky and unique entertainment for all the family.

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 20 mins]

Watermouth Cove, North Devon

Watermouth Castle

A lovely Victorian Castle with interesting displays that is also home to a family theme park with rides, maze, dungeons, play areas and beautiful landscaped gardens.

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 25 mins]

children on slides at Milky Way

The Milky Way Adventure Park

Receive 10% off entry when you stay with us [term time only]

An all-weather theme park featuring Devon’s tallest, fastest & longest roller coaster and a huge indoor play area that is great for both children and adults.

Distance: 18 miles [approx. 30 mins]

tennis rackets

Tarka Tennis

There are 6 indoor courts and 4 outdoor courts at this ‘Pay and Play’ tennis centre in nearby Barnstaple.

Distance: 1 mile [approx. 5 mins]

Cyclist on Tarka Trail in Rock Park Barnstaple North Devon

The Tarka Trail

The much-loved book Tarka The Otter was the inspiration for this famous series of footpaths and cycle paths around North Devon . Experience the wonderful variety of the local countryside, including rugged moorland, gorgeous wooded valleys, cliff top views and beautiful sandy beaches. Bikes can be hired locally at Tarka Trail Cycle Hire in Barnstaple.

 

Motor Hall

Haynes Motor Museum

Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford near Yeovil in Somerset, England, contains over 400 cars and motorcycles and a collection of other automobilia.

Distance: 65 miles [approx. 1hr 41 mins]

Lundy Island

Lundy Island

In a place of wide spaces and big skies, without roads, cars or pollution, simply walking is a profound pleasure. Lundy has a milder climate than the mainland, with more sunshine and less rain. Book a day trip on the MS Oldenburg to Lundy from Bideford quay.

Hartland Valley North Devon

Hartland Abbey & Gardens

10% off when you stay with us 

Hartland Abbey with its beautiful gardens and grounds welcomes visitors from the end of March until October. It is the cherished home of the Stucley family with treasures and memorabilia collected over many generations.

Distance: 24 miles [approx. 43 mins]

Castle Hill North Devon

Castle Hill

Castle Hill house and gardens are steeped in history and are, and have been for centuries, a home to the Fortescue family. Today it is loved and cherished by the Earl and Countess of Arran and is a wonderful visitor attraction. Visit Castle Hill’s open gardens and stay to enjoy refreshments at their new tearoom.

Distance: 8.4 miles [approx. 19 mins]

Clovelly Harbour and Seafront North Devon

Clovelly

20% off Cream Teas at the New Inn and Red Lion in Clovelly village

World famous for its cobbled, traffic-free street, donkeys, sledges and historic harbour. The stunning views, peaceful tranquillity and cobbled, traffic-free, high street of this fishing village, built into a cleft in a 400' high cliff, tumbles its way down past whitewashed cottages festooned with flowers to the tiny working port.

Distance: 21 miles [approx. 35 mins]

bee keepers at quince honey farm

Quince Honey Farm

Take a guided tour around the interesting displays and exhibits and learn fun facts about the honeybee before you take a closer look inside the working hives. Nowhere in the world can you get so close to live bees without needing protective equipment! The Happy Bee play hive is a large indoor soft play area, this is where you will also find the café offering homemade food and our special Devonshire cream tea with honey! There is also an outdoor play and seating area for when the sun is shining.

Distance: 10 miles [approx. 21 mins]

soft play area

Junglaroo

There are tubes slides, bumpy slides, crawl tubes, ball cannons, rope bridges, spider webs, dangly snakes, gliders, scramble nets, ball pools, log ramps, punch bags, edu blocks and so much more including a specially dedicated area for the under 3’s to enjoy. Even the grown ups can join in the fun as the play frame is designed for adults as well.

Distance: 1.4 miles [approx. 5 mins]

Tapeley Park, North Devon

Tapeley Park

2 for 1 entry when you stay with us

Tapeley Park situated between Instow and Bideford is one of North Devon’s best-kept secrets. Take in the magnificent views over the Torridge Estuary to the sea beyond. Their grounds are renowned for their beautiful gardens, especially the Italian terraces where visitors can sit back and relax and make the most of the peace and tranquillity.

Distance: 9.3 miles [approx. 17 mins]

quad bike

Keypitts Activity Centre

10% off when you stay with us

A fantastic activity centre near Ilfracombe, offering Quad Biking, Axe Throwing and 4×4 Land Rover Experience. 

Distance: 9.7 miles [approx. 21 mins]

Becky Falls

Becky Falls

10% off when you stay with us

No visit to Devon would be complete without a visit to Dartmoor's iconic landmark. Come and breathe some of the purest air in England, explore 50 acres of stunning woodlands and enjoy a very, very warm welcome!

Distance: 46 miles [approx. 1hr 31 mins]

stuart line cruises

Stuart Line Cruises

10% off when you stay with us

Ensure you don’t miss out on one of Devon's top things to do and take a trip with Stuart Line Cruises. Sailing all year round, you can set sail and explore the rich wildlife and breathtaking views of the River Exe or set sail back 250 million years exploring the Jurassic Coast Line.

Distance: 59 miles [approx. 1hr 21 mins]

2 people kayaking

OSKE Watersports

10% off when you stay with us

Watersports centre in Combe Martin offering all types of kayak and stand up paddle board activities including hire and guided kayak tours.

Man on a segway

EasiGlide Segway Experience

10% off when you stay with us

EasiGlide offers Segway tours around North Devon and other areas of the South West. Rolling hills, ocean views, muddy fields, sand dunes as well as plenty of obstacle courses and games provide the ultimate thrill of riding a Segway.

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 22 mins]

couple SUP boarding

H2Outdoor

10% off when you stay with us

H2Outdoor specialise in providing unforgettable experiences by combining high quality activities with the outstanding natural beauty of this area. Coasteering, Kayaking, Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Wild Swimming are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed with them either on a single session basis or combined to form an exhilarating adventure package. 

Distance: 14 miles [approx. 27 mins]

go karting

Race World Go-Karting

10% off when you stay with us 

Race World Go-Karting track is Exeter's very best indoor racing track! With 400m circuit, flyover bridge, state-of-the-art equipment, conference room and 4000sq ft viewing area, it has something for everyone!

Distance: 55 miles [approx. 1hr 11 mins]

Walking boot Autumn

Guided Walking Tours

John Ward offers guided walking breaks and tailor-made adventures within the wild beauty of the coastline and moors of North Devon and Exmoor.  Walk the stunning coast and country of North Devon and Exmoor with a knowledgeable and friendly local guide and visit the 'hidden gems' of the area - from the old-world charm of remote hamlets to expansive moors and secluded coves. 

Surfboard on beach in North Devon

Walking on Waves

10% discount on all lessons

First Wave sessions are designed to get you off the beach, in the water, and having fun as quickly as possible. We meet up, get to know each other and jump into our “guaranteed to keep you warm” winter wetsuits. It’s only 100m to the beach (although if the tide’s out it can be a bit further to the sea) where we’ll go through the safety drill and give you a chance to practice before we get wet. Then it’s off to the sea to get some real experience with the help of the Walking-on-waves team. 

Distance: 9.7miles [approx. 22 mins]

Walking on coastal path

South West Coast Path

We’re located on the South West Coast Path and just a stone’s throw from Braunton Burrows, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to 500 species of wild flowers and rare wildlife. Other stunning close walks (which are good for all the family) to try are to Baggy Point in Croyde and Crow Point at the southern end of Braunton Burrows.

The Ultimate Adventure Activity Centre

The Ultimate Adventure Activity Centre

50% off

Based in Abbotsham, North Devon the centre has been providing a comprehensive range of outdoor adventure activities since 2011. Choose from, high ropes, kayaking, coasteering, archery, paddle-boarding, mountain boarding, surfing, and the famous total wipeout-inspired assault course. Activity sessions run every morning, afternoon & evening.

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 20 mins]

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