Kate W
17 December 2018
Archaic stone cottages and wide, sweeping views can be found throughout much of Devon, but nowhere is this beauty more evident than in the historic market town of Cullompton. Referenced as far back as 872 when Alfred the Great bequeathed this land to his son, it has a long history of textile production that can be discovered at the working wool museum, while further insights into the heritage of Mid Devon can be found at National Trust-managed Killerton Estate. Cullompton is an excellent place to start, but if you want to know more about our fantastic county read through our insider's guide to Devon.
With exquisite countryside and a town centre overflowing with decorative listed houses, this market town offers an intriguing stay and is just the place for a little holiday relaxation.
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About
Walking and cycling
Exeter
Accommodation
Crealy Theme Park
More attactions
The beaches
About the village:
Locally known as Cully, this ancient town is a wonderful place for a holiday escape. A peaceful retreat amongst rolling Devonshire countryside, it would suit a family looking for some scenic walks and fun attractions to enjoy, adult groups in need of an adventurous retreat, or couples looking for a bit of peace and quiet. The historic buildings make this a pretty country town to stay in, a farmers’ market is regularly held in the town where you can pick up some local supplies or peruse delightful pubs and cafes, or why not pop into The Bakehouse for a classic Devonshire cream tea?
The walking and cycling:
Travel 19 miles north to escape into the Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Devon/Somerset border. Walk or cycle this extraordinary region and bring the dog along too if you like to take in the views before finding the perfect secluded spot to enjoy a picnic. If there’s a chill in the air, then retire to one of the warm and welcoming dog-friendly pubs scattered across the area. To give you some walking inspiration, take a look at this list of walking, cycling and horse-riding routes ranging from easy strolls to tough hikes, and choose one to suit you, or see our guide to top walking holidays in Devon for more suggestions.
The city of Exeter:
Head the opposite way and 17 miles south of Cullompton you reach the vibrant and ancient University city of Exeter. A historical and cultural centre for Devon, you could visit the gothic Exeter Cathedral, see the old Exeter City Wall which is remarkably well-intact despite being nearly 2000 years old, or wander through the fascinating underground passages beneath the city.
Once you’ve seen all you can manage for the day, head into the city centre for a little retail therapy and delicious evening meal. There are big-name shops, boutiques and a variety of cafes, pubs and restaurants to pick from. Find out all about this fascinating city in this guide.
The accommodation:
One of our favourite properties in the local area: Home Barn is perfect for families and welcomes dogs!
A cosy cottage in this charming rural setting would make a dreamy retreat. Pick a place with a wood burner, perfect for stoking up a roaring log fire, or a garden where you can head outside each morning and enjoy a frothy coffee in the open air.
Cullompton is in an excellent location, close to Devon’s cultural city of Exeter and near the unspoilt natural beauty of the Blackdown Hills, so one of our collection of cottages nearby would make a great base for a little Devon exploration. See which cottage you’d love to stay in.
The food and drink:
As you might expect in a Devon town, you’ll find plenty of warm and welcoming country pubs where you can enjoy a meal out together. There are a wealth of dog-friendly pubs in Cullompton: a few of the top choices include The Weary Traveller, which has a large beer garden with children's play area as well as screening the latest sports action inside, the White Hart and The Pony & Trap.
You can also discover a couple of cafes, bakeries and an award-winning butchery in the town where you can pick up goodies to take back to the cottage for a delicious lazy breakfast.
Crealy Adventure Park & Resort:
Kids love Crealy! This theme park situated 15 miles from Cullompton provides great fun for all the family. With everything from roller coasters and log flumes to bumper cars, ball pits and forts, children and big kids can all experience a great day out here. They also have regular special events throughout the year so see what’s on at Crealy before you visit.
After a fun-filled day at this adventure park, you’ll be happy to return to the peaceful town of Cullompton and collapse into soft sofas for a relaxing evening with the family - provided of course the little ones (and the big ones!) can keep their eyes open.
The other attractions:
Cullompton itself hosts a number of excellent local attractions. The Bear Trail is a muddy adventure assault course where all the family are welcome to get involved. Great for kids and adults, there’s even a cubs' corner for the littlest ones and a café where you can grab a well-deserved lunch afterwards.
You’ll also find Yarak Birds of Prey Centre, where you could book in an appointment for a loved one or treat yourself to an experience. They don’t accept walk-ins, so ensure you phone ahead if you wish to meet the magnificent golden eagle or barn owl at their centre.
A grand estate, the National Trust-managed Killerton is 7 miles away from town and combines an 18th century house with landscaped grounds that you are welcome to explore. There’s no need to book with this one, simply turn up and head inside - just remember to check seasonal opening times first. There are even paths and walking routes for dogs and their owners to explore.
Finally, 9 miles from Cullompton is The Grand Western Canal Country Park, a Nature Reserve that houses the remains of an old canal that historically joined Somerset with Cornwall’s Land’s End. Today, it is only 11¼ miles long and has visitor facilities including cafes, a visitor centre, boat hire, gift centre and toilets. Spend a leisurely few hours wandering this parkland and find a spot for a picnic by the river.
The beaches:
If you are looking for a classic sandy shore, then head to Sandy Bay (21 miles). It’s a true holiday escape with facilities including a café/restaurant and toilets as well as a lifeguard in the summer. Just west of this beach you can find the heritage site, Orcombe rocks: a good spot for discovering those fossils that the Jurassic Coast is famous for. Afterwards, head up to see The Geoneedle at Orcombe Point.
Seaton Beach is 25 miles from Cullompton and sits on the world-renowned Jurassic Coast. Overlooking Lyme Bay, this pebble beach is in a beautiful location where countryside meets coast, and the waters here are excellent for water sports – you can even hire kayaks and paddle boards at the site and try your hand at something new. Visit the Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre and take the time to learn about this fascinating historical area.
If you love beaches, we have put together the ultimate Devon beach guide from which you can plan your perfect seaside getaway.
This quaint, archaic town that was once the property of Alfred the Great is a desirable destination and would make a wonderful countryside break for you and your family. Enjoy a holiday in historic Cullompton.
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.