Local Amenities

The holiday cottage (chapel) is situated in Thurdon, North Cornwall, two and a half miles from Kilkhampton on the A39 (the Atlantic Highway).

This holiday cottage's tranquil setting has excellent walking and bridle paths from the doorstep. Within three quarters of a mile are Tamar Lakes. The upper lake offers water sports including windsurfing and sailing, childrens activity / summer schools, fishing, footpaths and a cafe open March until October. The lower lake is a beautiful bird sanctuary with bird watching hides.

There are several sheltered beaches in the area, Sandymouth being the nearest, only 6 miles away from the holiday cottage. Bude and Widemouth which offer some of the finest surfing in Cornwall, and indeed the UK are within 9 miles.

Places of Interest Near Bishops Holiday Cottage:

Bude

Bude offers a range of activities such as coastal walks, adventure parks, golf, cycling, kite surfing, fishing, both canal and sea, tennis, crazy golf, horse riding, ten pin bowling, indoor swimming pool, shopping, restaurants, public houses, historic churches, museum, library and much more.

Crafts and artefacts can be bought at Simply Wood and there is also a traditional children's toyshop in the village.

Kilkhampton

Kilkhampton the nearest village has two convenience stores, butcher, two public houses offering food as well as local ales. The New Inn is more of a family pub where as the London Inn is more of a drinking pub. A popular Chinese take away has recently opened and there is also a traditional fish and chip shop but be aware as it shuts quite early it may be worth checking the opening times in their window.

The centre of the village is dominated by St James church that dates back to the Roman times. The church was probably rebuilt in the 15th century but still has the magnificent south doorway constructed in 1130.The memorial stone outside is dedicated to the men who lost their lives in the 1914-1918 war.

Being situated on the border of North Cornwall and Devon, the holiday cottage is in a fantastic position for exploring both Devon and Cornwall. Whether you are looking for family fun and activities, or peace and tranquillity the Chapel provides the perfect location.

Clovelly

Clovelly is a tiny fishing village secluded but easy to find, signposted off the A39. There is an information centre at the top of the steep access down to the village but they do charge around £7 entrance fee per adult. Family tickets are a little cheaper. It is well worth a visit to check out this historic site with plenty of shops and eateries along the way.

The traffic free village offers the old fashioned transport of donkeys to those who do not wish to exert too much energy on the steep cobbled pathway.

Boscastle

Boscastle, 14 miles south of Bude is a conservation area, one of the few remaining unspoilt harbour villages, put on the map by the well publicised 2004 flood. The harbour was once a hive of activity with trade taking place between Wales, Bristol and the South of England. A path follows a fast flowing bubbling stream, which leads to several hidden churches allowing you to discover the little known connection between North Cornwall and Thomas Hardy. There are many gift and craft shops in the village.

Launceston

Launceston is only 19 miles from our holiday cottage. It is the ancient capital of Cornwall and is the acknowledged gateway to Cornwall sitting astride the A30 so easy access from Devon and Cornwall. Set in an area of considerable beauty and charm. Dominated by its castle built in the 11th century, Launceston is steeped in history, once the only walled town in Cornwall and housing the Royal Mint. It is a favourite for visitors who don't want to just visit the beaches and coastal areas of Cornwall but for the discerning tourist who wishes to indulge in the history and highlights of the ancient architecture scattered around the town. For the rail enthusiasts there is a steam railway open until the end of October which takes you on a journey from Launceston to New Mills. The four historic locomotives were built in the 19th century and originally used to carry slate in North Wales. This is just a taste of the many attractions and things to do in Launceston, North Cornwall.

Bodmin

Bodmin could not be any easier to get to than it is from our holiday cottage, travelling south of the A39 to Wadebridge and then taking the A389 to Bodmin. The Cornish Town and Moor is perfect for walking the surrounding countryside whether that be on the famous Camel Trail which starts in the town and finishes in Padstow, 17 miles long, it offers a flat trail along an historic railway track, or the surrounding rugged landscape of Bodmin Moor and then there is the woodland walks at Cardinham Woods. Each area offering a variety of walking or cycling to suite all ages and abilities. Of course there is the famous Bodmin Jail which was originally built for King George III in 1779 but the jail as you see it today was built by the prisoners who brought the 20,000 tons of granite from Bodmin's Quarry. On some dates during October and November you can book yourself on to a ghost walk, or you could spend the night in the jail. If all things ghostly and ghoulish is not your taste, perhaps you would rather have a meal there during the week or try their Sunday lunch, the menu is very appetising.

Wadebridge

Wadebridge is a bustling market town that offers 17 miles of traffic free walking on the Camel Trail. There is a surprise around every corner from the biggest store to the smallest shop. Wadebridge hosts the Royal Cornwall show every June and the Cornwall Folk Festival every August Bank Holiday.

Padstow

Padstow has recently become more famous due to the number of TV shows and celebrity chefs connected with this premiere Cornwall destination. Padstow has a pretty harbour surrounded by winding streets with some wonderful individual and unique shops as well as some of the more famous branded names. You can sit and watch the world go by around the harbour or up on the coastal path winding itself around the beaches and coves nearby. There is so much to do to enjoy yourself in and around Padstow, sailing, walking, horse riding, cycling and of course surfing to name but a few. Look over to Rock or catch the short ferry across to find out yourself why the rich and famous like to holiday here. It has been described as Cornwall's Kensington and Britain's St Tropez with some of Britains most affluent visitors including Prince William, Hugh Grant and Jamima Khan and Mohammed Al Fayed plus many more. There are some of Cornwall's most beautiful vast stretches of sand on the nearby beaches surrounding Rock. The famous St Enodoc Church is also a short walk around the coastal path sat within one of the finest links golf courses in the South West of England and ranked 55th in the world outside the United States in the 2009 golf digest.

These are just a sample of the many wonderful places we would recommend visiting. A visit to the tourist information centre in Bude will help you on your way if you are short of ideas.

We also leave a selection of local attraction leaflets to assist in your decision making for a fabulous holiday.