What to do and where to eat around Lanscombe House Hotel, Cockington, Near Torquay, South Devon

………a ‘world apart’

Special Offers

Tariff

Guest comments

How to find us

Enjoying your stay

Lanscombe House

Cockington Village

Torbay TQ2 6XA

01803 606938

I have given a taste from personal experience but you can be assured that South Devon provides almost limitless opportunities for days out - our brochure rack in reception provides interesting browsing if stuck for an idea.

A stay at Lanscombe House is a special treat so why not enjoy discovering the many local restaurants we have in the area. The famous Lutyens designed Drum Inn is just a short stroll to the village centre - great for the first night while Rose Cottage with its seasonal piano player and stunning views makes a perfect spot for an al fresco lunch or a delicious cream tea (reputed to be the best in the area).

Torbay has a huge range of restaurants from the simple and familiar to some of the finest in the West. If you are looking for a treat then Number Seven Fish Bistro specialises in locally caught seafood and is just perfect every time; the Elephant has a Michelin Star (and you can enjoy Bolinger by the glass as an aperitif). There are plenty of great restaurants tucked away like the Hole in the Wall (01803 200755), exquisite food at the Orange Tree, Mexican at Jingles, Indian (Thariks on 01803 664116 ), Chinese (China Blue 01803 293288) and the Thai Garden (01803 521540) ... to name but a few. Church House Inn is an excellent pub (best in the South West 2006) in the next village of Marldon while Coombe Cellars in Combenteignhead (01626 872423) is a reasonable priced revamped restaurant with great views over the river Teign.

If you want to pre-book (Number Seven is hugely popular) then give us a call and we will do the rest

Of course we are in the award winning Cockington Country Park estate - now owned by a Trust - that provides a wide range of walks both easy and just a little more energetic around the estate as well as guided walks and talks both here and on the other estates the Trust manages around the Bay. It is particularly beautiful in the Spring with the bulbs, azaleas and camellias. There is also the crafts centre at the Manor House (Cockington Court) where amongst others you can watch glass blowing at Our Glass studio. There is also an Organic Garden that runs courses - as do some of the crafts people. Occombe Farm is the Trusts new venture just up the road—a demonstration Organic Farm with a wildlife trail, a speciality organic and ‘best of the west’ food shop and a top quality café. Try the TCCT web site and click on Cockington or Occombe - it gives a full list of organized events including theatre, music, walks and educational programmes.

The Zoo at Paignton is an excellent, good quality all day visit and there are numerous National Trust properties to visit including Drogo Castle and Coleton Fishacre amongst the best.

Torbay is famous for Agatha Christie and you may like to discover the places inspirational to her life and works try the Tourist Information web site and click on heritage and Agatha Christie, also a dedicated site at Agatha Christie. There is an Agatha Christie Festival in September and the National Trust has now opened her home at Greenway.

By the way there is a huge amount of information available on things to do and see on the local Tourist Information site .

For a good walk there is of course Dartmoor where they list other attractions you may like to visit on the moors. But don’t forget the South West Coastal Path runs close by and there are miles of stunning scenic walks and plenty of local beaches. For my taste Bigbury and Burgh Island located between Kingsbridge and Plymouth on the west of Devon is difficult to beat for its setting, facilities and award winning Venus beach café serving organic and local produce. As a bonus the drive there is stunning.

If you like steam railways then there are at least three in the area - my favourite being South Devon Railway that takes you along the river Dart between Totnes and Buckfast (and the Abbey by way of a vintage bus).

Naval Dartmouth is another steam ride away on The Paignton Steam Railway . You can also get a round robin ticket that gives a cruise up the river Dart to Totnes and back to Paignton on an open topped bus. Totnes is a wonderfully interesting place both for the people and shops - it has a reputation for being a bit 'hippy' in the nicest possible way!

Close by is our nearest vineyard at Sharpham where they also sell their own cheeses.

At Plymouth there is the National Marine Aquarium and of course the Naval history.

Further afield there is the now famous Eden Project at St. Austell just the other side of Plymouth.

If you want a round of golf then try English Golf Courses for a search of local courses.

Enjoy your stay,