 |
St. Raphael's location between the River Tavy
and the Cholwell Brook affords excellent walking, cycling and
riding access to Dartmoor and surrounding areas. A blissfully
quiet part of the moor can be found at Tavy Cleave - a
stunning open
expanse reminiscent of Scotland where the River Tavy has
cut a deep valley and walkers
will find themselves amongst bronze
age hut circles over 3,000 years old.
Until the
late 18th and 19th centuries, the
villages of Mary
Tavy and Peter Tavy
remained virtually unknown until the discovery of silver, lead,
copper and tin. As you descend from the open
moorland you can't help but see Wheal Betsy, the ruined
eighteenth century engine house
(now fully restored by the National Trust)
that hints at the area's rich and important heritage.
These valuable metals would have been traded in the charming
stannary town of Tavistock,
four miles to the West
and the reputed
birthplace of Sir Francis Drake.
The Campaign
for the Protection of Rural England rate this
as the Best Market Town in the country
and it's Victorian architecture attracts a discerning
food and art loving crowd. Highlights from a
full calendar of events throughout the year
include a Music Festival in April, a Food & Drink
Festival in July, a Balloon Fiesta in August, Goose Fair in
October, a Dickensian Evening in
December and bi-weekly farmers markets.
This part of Devon is blessed with an abundance of great days
out and special places to explore. Less than twenty minutes
drive is the Tamar Valley - An Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty that is
rich in
wildlife
and renowned for its industrial heritage.
National Trust properties including Buckland Abbey, Cotehele
House and the stunning Lydford Gorge, itself a SSSI, are all
within 20 miles of St. Raphael. The long sandy beaches and
rugged coastline of North Cornwall are under an hour away with
huge swathes of the South West Coast Path yearning to be walked.
|
