Holidays and Horse-Drawn Barges in Devon

MMM Premier Park, Minnows Touring Park, sits alongside the canal that features in the winning photo from BBC’s Countryfile photographic competition.

Every year they run the competition where the 12 best photos are selected by a panel of judges and then used in the Children in Need calendar. The overall winning photo is also used on the front of the calendar. Proceeds from the sales of the calendar raise money for the charity.

The winner for the 2012 calendar is a stunning image of a horse-drawn barge on the Grand Western Canal which meanders through the mid-Devon countryside between Tiverton and Lowdwells. The photo was taken by Sarah Williams and captures the beauty and essence of this area of Devon. A hidden gem, the canal extends for over 11 miles offering plentiful space for walking or cycling along the towpath, taking in the stunning scenery and various points of interest along the way.

A unique feature of the canal at Tiverton Wharf is the horse-drawn barge that offers public trips along the canal or can be hired privately. The Tivertonian is a traditionally painted 75 seater barge with a licensed bar. During the trip the boat is moored up allowing guests to walk to see the Brunel designed aqueduct and during the trip you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of travelling on the canal. Rowing boats and canoes can also be hired here, there’s a nature reserve, a café bar and gift shop.

For places to stay with your caravan or motorhome to enjoy the canal and this undiscovered part of Devon you are spoilt for choice. There are three Premier Parks in the area.

Minnows Touring Park has direct access to the Grand Western Canal where you can walk to Sampford Peverell and Tiverton Wharf in one direction and Lowdwells in the other.

This peaceful touring park is close to junction 27 of the M5 and features 59 pitches. As well as the perfect location for touring the canal, there’s coarse fishing available, a golf driving range and a farm shop close to the site. Shops, pubs and public transport are all within walking distance too.

Further to the north of the region lies Waterrow Touring Park, approximately 14 miles from Taunton.

This adults-only park is a registered private nature reserve set in a woodland valley. There are riverside walks through the woods direct from the park and the pitches have great views. Some pitches are single bays and others are screened by flowering shrubs. There’s a country inn just yards away and Waterrow makes for a tranquil location for a relaxing break or touring base.

Exe Valley Caravan Site lies deep in the heart of Exmoor National Park. This is a sheltered setting with a mill house as a backdrop and riverside pitches. There are many walks from the site, including one to the weir where you can watch the world go by. Opposite the site is The Badgers Holt Inn which serves bar food daily and there’s a shop and post office at nearby Winsford.

There’s lots to be uncovered in this part of Devon and great holidays to be had. Who knows, maybe you’ll take a photo that’s worthy of the Countryfile Calendar 2013 while you’re there …

  To order a copy of the BBC Countryfile 2012 calendar click here.
  It’s also available from WHSmith and costs £9, with at least £4 going to Children in Need.

For more details on the Grand Western Canal Park and horse-drawn barge click here.