Akkeron Hotel

Leisure Breaks at Buckerell Lodge Hotel, Exeter

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Things to do in Exeter and Devon

Buckerell Lodge Hotel is surrounded by some of the country's most attractive scenery and destinations.

There is plenty to do in Exeter and throughout Devon with a wide range of visitory attractions available from the city's famous Cathedral and underground passages, to the local historic houses and gardens, and action-packed theme parks.

For lovers of the great outdoors, you can head off to explore Dartmoor National Park. Heather-covered moorland and deep wooded gorges, beautiful lake-like reservoirs and tumbling rocky rivers, thriving market towns and villages, patchwork farmland and craggy granite tors, the Dartmoor National Park covers an area of 368 square miles - the largest, and wildest, area of open country in southern England. There are nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, endangered birds and rare plants, and thousands of archaeological sites. Set above the Teign Gorge, Castle Drogo 'the last castle to be built in England' offers you dramatic views over Dartmoor.

For a historical day visit Powderham Castle, which boasts the highest National Trust garden at 900 feet and lies in a beautiful Deer Park setting on the banks of the River Exe, just a stone's throw from the historic Cathedral of Exeter. The Courtenay family have been welcoming visitors since 1959 and the new Victorian Kitchen opened in 2007.

Nearby National Trust properties include A la Ronde Tea Rooms, Knighthayes Court and Killerton, is a fine 18th Century house, home to the 'Paulise de Bush' costume collection, with over 9,000 outfits and a delightful hillside garden.

The cycle paths of Exeter Canal and Exeter Quayside have popular routes all year round, and are just a few minutes from the entrance to The Buckerell Lodge Hotel.  If you want to explore what Exeter and the surrounding area has to offer by bike, if needed, bicycles can be hired from a local hire company situated opposite the hotel.  

A 20 minute cycle will lead to the picture postcard harbour town of Topsham, where visitors can experience the Pebblebed Vineyard, the independent boutiques, antique stores, cafes and restaurants.
 
Or take to the skies, and soar above the rolling Devon countryside in a hot air balloon, capture a birds eye view of this beautiful and unique part of England.  

Local places of interest to visit and seasonal events are shown below.
 

Houses to Visit / Museums

Event Essential Information
CASTLE DROGO, Drewsteignton
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Date: Open all year; the House is open 11 February - 23 December 2012 - some dates weekends only.
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01647 433306
EXETER CATHEDRAL
www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk
Date: Monday - Saturday
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01392 285983
KILLERTON HOUSE & GARDENS, Exeter
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Date: Park open all year on selected days; the House is open from 11 February - 23 December 2012
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01392 881345
ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
www.rammuseum.org.uk
Date: Throughout the year, check for seasonal programmes
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01392 665858

Outdoor Attractions

Event Essential Information
BICTON PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS, East Budleigh
www.bictongardens.co.uk
Date: Throughout the year, shorter hours during Christmas and New Year
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01395 568465
CREALY GREAT ADVENTURE PARK, Clyst St. Mary
www.crealy.co.uk
Date: Check for seasonal opening times.
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01395 233200
DAWLISH MUSEUM, Dawlish
www.devonmuseums.net/dawlish
Date: April 25 - September
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01626 888557
MANSTREE VINEYARD, Exeter
www.boyces-manstree.co.uk
Date: Tuesday to Sundays March - December, Saturday, Sunday in January and February.
Entrance: Free
Tel: 01392 832218
NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE, Devon
www.newtonabbotracing.com
Date: Throughout the year
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01626 353235
THE EDEN PROJECT, St. Austell
www.edenproject.com
Date: Daily, except 25-26 December
Entrance: Entrance charges apply
Tel: 01726 811911

Special Events

Event Essential Information
Exeter Farmers Market
www.visitdevon.co.uk
Date: Every Thursday, throughout the year from 9am-2pm
Entrance: Free
Tel: 01392 665480