Bearslake Inn is an AA 4 star Restaurant in Devon providing top class food, visit our fabulous Devon Inn Restaurant. Bearslake Inn also provides inn accommodation in devon for those who wish to relax and take in the beautiful Devon scenery and savour our selection from our Devon Inn Restaurant food or stay for a beer in our Devon Real Ale Pub or Inn.
Things to do from Bearslake Inn
There is so much to do in the South West of England and Devon in particular, so if you are planning to stay for a few days you have much to choose from.
This is a directory of things to do and companies running activities in the area. Unfortunately we have not had time to try them all, neither is this a comprehensive list, so we are unable to recommend any of the organisations listed but we hope to provide you with some inspiration so that you can make your own enquiries.
Walking
From our back garden you can literally walk straight out into deepest Dartmoor. The walks you can do are numerous and range from the very easy to a full out yomp; the choice is yours.
Walking on the moor is a real pleasure. The scenery is breath taking, and so are a few of the hills but the view when you get to the top is worth every bit of the effort it takes to get there.
If you search on Google for walking on Dartmoor you will find numerous websites with suggested walks and guided tours. There is so much to choose from we won't repeat it here.
Having said that we would suggest that you check out this link to the National Park website to see what they have to say about walking on the moor and the link to Discover Dartmoor.
Dartmoor National Park - a great place for walking
Discover Dartmoor, Walking
If you would like an additional challenge for your walk you could join the many hundreds of people who like to find the Dartmoor Letterboxes (check out the link below) and you can start with us, as Bearslake Inn is an official letterbox.
Dartmoor Letterboxes
Finally a quick word on safety; don't treat the moor lightly, the weather can change very quickly and you need to be prepared, proper boots and clothing, map (OL28 for our part of the moor), compass, food and water and if you are heading off into the moor, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Contacts:
Dartmoor National Park Authority, 01626 832093
High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, 01822 890414
Letterbox 100 Club, 01392 832768
Toms Tors - guided walks on the moor, 01837 53575
Cycling
West Devon and Dartmoor have much to offer the cyclist no matter your level of ability. Bearslake Inn is on the side of the Granite Way which is part of National Cycle Route 27.
Checkout the links below to see what the Dartmoor National Park Authority has to say about cycling on the moor, where to hire a bike and a leaflet on the Granite Way. Happy pedalling!
Cycling on Dartmoor
Devon Cycle Hire - The Granite Way
GENTLE CYCLING TOURS
The Granite Way (PDF)
If you are planning to visit us for lunch why not start your journey in Okehampton, cycle along the Granite Way to Bearslake Inn, sit, rest and enjoy lunch with us before cycling back again.
We do have a large bicycle rack where you can park up but do remember to bring your own bicycle lock.
Places to visit nearby
Castle Drogo
The 'last castle to be built in England', set above the Teign Gorge with dramatic views over Dartmoor
- One of the most remarkable works of architect Sir Edwin Lutyens
- Dramatic views over Dartmoor
- Highest National Trust garden at 900 feet
- Play croquet on the lawn
Lydford Gorge
Spectacular river gorge and waterfall
- Woodland trails through a deep-cut ravine alongside the river Lyd
- Thunderous 90 ft Whitelady waterfall
- 'Walk the plank' over the Devil's Cauldron whirlpools
- Wildlife-watching hides located along the Railway Trail
Cotehele
Medieval house with superb collections of textiles, armour and furniture, set in extensive grounds
- Riverside gardens with great seasonal variety
- Ghostly goings on: hazy figures, music and a strange herbal smell
- Film location for 'Twelfth Night' (1996)
- Take a boat trip on the River Tamar from Cotehele Quay
Finch Foundry
Fascinating 19th-century water-powered forge in working order, in its heyday the foundry produced agricultural and mining hand tools
- Set amidst Dartmoor's dramatic countryside
- Often humorous live machinery demonstrations
- 'Four Villages Trail', a lovely circular walk starting at the foundry
Brentor Church
Brentor Church can be found in the Parish of Brentor, 5 miles north of Tavistock, Devon, 5 miles south of Bearslake Inn. This 12th century church is built on a volcanic outcrop almost 1000 feet above sea level and can be seen for miles around.
Lydford Castle
Lydford Castle is one of two castles that have existed in Lydford. That existing visible castle is still impressive and dominant despite now having no roof, and the other, older one, is now totally destroyed above ground, but with its earth-covered foundations and impressive defensive ditch still clearly visible and climbable. The sites of these castles are on the two sides of St Petrock's Church, located at the south-west corner of the original Saxon town of Lydford, which is the centre of the present village of Lydford.
Okehampton Castle
The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in an outstandingly picturesque setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1538, it declined into an allegedly haunted ruin. Riverside picnic area and woodland walks nearby.
Directory of things to do
This is a directory of activity providers. We are unable to make recommendation
Cycle Hire & Tours
Let's Go Biking (cycle tours), Okehampton or Tavistock, 01837 880075
Devon cycle hire 01837 861141
Big Peaks.Com, Linhay Business Park, Ashburton, 01364 654080
Central Garage, 13 Fore Street, Moretonhampstead, 01647 440025
Dartmoor Cycle Hire Centre, Tavistock, 01822 618178
Okehampton Cycles, Bostock Garden Centre, Okehampton, 01837 53248
Okehampton Station Cycle Hire, 01837 55637
Runnage Farm, Postridge, 01822 880222
Tavistock Cycles Ltd, Paddons Row, Tavistock, 01822 617630
YHA Okehampton Adventure Centre,
Klondyke Road,Okehampton, 01837 53916
Horse Riding
Babeny Farm Riding Stables, Poundsgate, 01364 631296
Beacon Court Equestrian, Bittaford, Ivybridge, 01752 892260
Cholwell Riding Stables, Mary Tavy, 01822 810526
Dartmoor Horse Trials, Little Bidlake Farm, Bridestowe, 01837 861233
Dartmoor & South Hams Equestrian Centre, Ivybridge, 01364 73266
Eastlake Riding Stables, Belstone, 01837 52513
Fitzworthy Riding Centre, Cornwood, 01752 837836
Sherberton Stables, Hexworthy, 01364 631023
Shilstone Rock Ricking Centre, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, 01364 621281
Skaigh Stables, Sticklepath, 01837 840917
Tin Park Trekking Stables, Cornwood, 01752 837262
Trowlesworthy Farm, Cadover Bridge, Shaugh Prior, 01752 739292
White Tor Stables, Cudlipptown, Peter Tavy, 01822 810760
River Fishing
Duchy or Cornwall, 01822 890205
Reservoir Fishing
Avon Dam Reservoir, 01822 855700
Burrator Reservoir 01822 855700
Fernworthy Reservoir, 01647 277587
Kennick Reservoir, 01647 277587
Meldon Reservoir, 01822 855700
Trenchford Reservoir, 01647 277587
Venford Reservoir, 01822 855700
Fly Fishing
Tavistock Trout Fishery, Parkwood Road, Tavistock, 01822 615441
Coarse Fishing
Coombe Fishery, Adjacent to Buckland Abbey, 01822 616624
Week Farm, Bridestowe, 01837 861221
Golf Courses
Hurdwick Golf Club, tavistock Hamlets, Tavistock, 01822 612746
Manor House Hotel, Moretonhamstead, 01647 440998
Okehampton Golf Club, Off Tors Road, Okehampton, 01837 52113
Tavistock Golf Club, Down Road, Tavistock, 01822 612344
Teign Valley Golf Club, Christow, 01647 253026
Wrangaton Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Wrangaton, 01364 73229
Yelverton Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Yelverton, 01822 852824
Off road driving
Trax and trails 01579 370718
Clay pidgeon shooting
Trax and Trails 01579 370718
Ashcombe activity centre 01626 866