Our
bike hire depot is housed in the old railway station
barn. Situated directly on the Tarka Trail and
next to the RSPB lsley Marsh Reserve. Here you
can see tens of thousands of wading birds and
wild fowl that feed on the vast numbers of worms
and shellfish on the Estuary mud flats. At high
tide the calls of these birds fill the air. The
salt marsh here is beautiful, in Spring and Summer
it blooms pale mauve as the sea lavender flowers.
2 ASH FORD
Visit
the bird hide 300 meters off the track to watch
the thousands of feeding birds. Some of the new
artwork on the Tarka Trail can be seen here too.
This is also an ideal spot for a picnic.
3 BRAUNTON
The
vast dune system of the Braunton Burrows is a
designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Which in plain English means that if you want
to see sensational birds and flowers this is the
place to come. Stop and relax amongst the fabulous
carpets of yellow, pink, blue and purple flowers
in different parts of the dunes at different seasons.
Sunbathe on the dunes while the children have
fun playing.
4 INSTOW
Cycle
to the attractive port and charming waterside
village of Instow and take a trip on the ferry
to Appledore (get a voucher from us for the ferry
when you collect your bike). Alternatively, enjoy
the wide expanses of golden sands. Look out for
the listed Signal Box on the old railway line
as you continue on the trail towards Bideford.
5 APPLEDORE
The
quaint fishing village of Appledore is criss-crossed
by a charming maze of narrow streets leading to
the quay. Cycle round and find out about its history.
A settlement can be traced here back to Saxon
times. Viking raiders were defeated here in the
Battle of Bloody Corner in 878 AD. It was an important
port in Elizabethan times. With Bideford it was
the largest importer of tobacco into the country
and tales of smugglers abound.
6 LAN DCROSS
Cross
the Landcross Viaduct over the River Torridge
and for the next four miles cycle along the Torridge
Valley. This route paints a picture of an English
river, as it was fifty or even a hundred years
ago.
7 GREAT TORRINGTON
The
old Torrington Station is now a pub called the
Puffing Billy. Stop here for refreshment and look
at the railway memorabilia. This is a good place
to turn back, as you will have come about ten
miles from Fremington.
8 PETROCKSTOW - MEETH
At
Petrockstowe old station there is a recently built
off road cycle route passing through tranquil
open and wooded countryside. It is well suited
to young families or novice cyclists. You can
also get the bike bus back from Meeth Old Station
to Fremington.
