Lympstone, Exmouth, Devon
Lympstone is just the kind of place you really ought to visit when you’re on your group holidays in Devon; this is West Country charm personified, a picturesque little village on the banks of the River Exe between Topsham and Exmouth. Wander around Lympstone for half an hour and you’ll soon get a good feel for what life is like here – unruffled and unhurried, it feels timeless. The streets are lined with centuries old cottages and listed buildings, cobbled lanes roll down to the quay where fishing nets and buoys pile up against the harbour wall and boats bob contentedly on the water. At the edge of the water there’s a red brick clock tower, knowns as Peter’s Tower, built by a wealthy merchant as a lasting memorial to his wife in 1885.
Extend your walkabout with a stroll along the mud flats, a haven for migrating birds; follow one of the footpaths out into the gently undulating countryside around the village. One of the best is the 4.9 mile circular walk that takes you to the quirky 8 sided National Trust house at A La Ronde and the Point in View Chapel; both are well worth a visit.
Lympstone has a very happy community, and a thriving one, with 2 schools, several shops, 4 pubs and a renowned restaurant. If you fancy stopping for lunch or dinner to round off your visit nicely, head to The Swan Inn or The Globe; if there’s something very special to be celebrated push the boat out with fine dining at Michael Caine’s Lympstone Manor.
All information correct at the time of writing