- Go on one of the Ruby Country trails to sample the beautiful views of the countryside.
- Spend a glorious day on the sand at nearby Bude
- Go for a spin around one of the fascinating vehicle museums in the area.
A cosy market town nestled in the North Devon countryside, Holsworthy bubbles over with quaint local charm and tradition, with picturesque views of the rolling countryside of North Devon to be appreciated on the Ruby Country walking or cycling routes. With a host of fabulous local attractions just a short drive away, including tank museums, stately homes and ancient castles, as well as the gorgeous seaside town of Bude, with its sunny beaches and plethora of watersports on offer.
Golf, bowls and two top fitness centres will keep you active during your stay, while nearby Bude offers paintballing, rock climbing, pitch and putt and ten pin bowling, as well as a variety of watersports and two further golf courses. All this combined with fabulous culinary options, a small selection of locally owned shops and masses to keep the kids busy during your stay, a break in Holsworthy is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Food and Drink
From cosy pubs to lavish restaurants, Holsworthy has much to offer in terms of cuisine. The Bickford Arms and the Rydon Inn are both quaint traditional pubs offering quality local ales and scrumptious pub grub. The Spirited Sole Seafood Restaurant is housed in a quaint thatched cottage, making for a unique dining experience, and is a haven of delicious locally caught fresh seafood. Thatchers Bar and Restaurant is another great place to try, with a menu packed with local game, meat and seafood and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The centre of the town also benefits from a host of coffee shops and cafe’s to choose from after a day of sightseeing.
Family Attractions
Holsworthy offers a number of attractions to keep your family entertained during your stay. A quaint attraction comes in the form of the Gnome Reserve and Wildflower Garden, which is packed with interesting local flowers, closely guarded by the watchful eye of the gnomes! Holsworthy Museum is a great place to learn all about the town’s far-reaching history, while the Bradworth Transport Museum plays host to over 100 vehicles, from classic cars to military jeeps, and makes for a perfect day out with the family. With Dinscott Tank and Military Collection and Cobbaton Combat Collection boasting a wide range of military hardware and Tintagel Castle, Pencarrow House and Penhallam ruins are all in and around the area, there is plenty to see and do.
Shopping
Most of the towns shops are owned and run by residents, so shopping in Holsworthy is a quaint and traditional affair. For all groceries and essentials, the Co-op in town is sure to have all you would need. For a little culture, Van Marciano Art is a great gallery of modern art and canvas paintings, sure to tempt to into taking memento of your stay to hang on the wall at home. A short drive to Bude offers you an array of art galleries, clothing boutiques, New Age mystical shops, surf shops, a top quality deli and numerous book sellers.
History and Heritage
Holsworthy is an ancient market town, first receiving its market charter in the 12th century as a safe trading town, mentioned in the Doomesday Book. A hub of middle age trading activity, the town went on to greater prosperity in the 18th century, with the introduction of the town railway. This opened Holsworthy up to the blossoming agricultural market of the day, and provided great links to the rest of the country. Sadly, the train route is no longer in service, but one remnant of the golden age of steam remains in the two graceful viaducts that adorn the town so beautifully.
Beaches
While not directly on the coast, Holsworthy benefits from top beaching resort Bude only 9 miles away. A vast selection of beaches are on offer in this charming waterside town, including Summerleaze, which is a stunning spot that has inspired writers, poets and artists alike. Crooklets beach is ideal for windsurfing, with its strong winds and Bude Surf Lifesaving Club on hand to ensure safety. Northcott Mouth has a cove-like quality, with its towering cliffs and rock pools for the kids to explore, while Sandymouth beach can boast its very own waterfall. All beaches have cafes, lifeguards and ample parking and are all just a short drive from Holsworthy.
Activities
The Ruby Country initiative, seeking to promote stronger communities and economies in rural areas, have set about creating a number of cycling, walking and horse riding routes so you can enjoy the culture, heritage and local food of Holsworthy and the surrounding area during your stay. With a variety of routes and distances, there is sure to be something to appeal to everyone. Holsworthy also offers the chance to tee off at Holsworthy Golf Club, enjoy a relaxing day of bowls or stay in shape at one of the two fitness centres. A trip to nearby Bude will allow you to enjoy fishing, a choice of two golf courses and the options of rock climbing, paintballing and ten pin bowling.
Events and Entertainment
The pannier market every Wednesday is a great place to go to get some quality local produce and meet some of the areas characters, while craft fairs are held four times throughout the year to get some impressive local creations. A vintage car rally is held annually in June, packed with interesting automobiles from around the country, while the highlight of Holsworthys calendar is St. Peters Fair. This is held in July each year, and includes a presentation of the towns ‘Pretty Maid’ and a host of events and feasts held in the town to celebrate the history of the region. Holsworthy Carnival is held in November, while a one day agricultural show is held in May.
Travel
Travelling to Holsworthy can be done in a variety of ways. A National Express bus route runs to nearby Bude, where good local bus links will take you the rest of the way. The X9 bus is the main route to the wider, and will leave from Exeter, home of the nearest train station in Exeter St. Davids. The town benefits from good bus service in and around the town, while the wider areas of North Cornwall and North Devon are accessible in this way too, as is nearby Bude. The nearest airports are Newquay or Exeter International.