Pickwell activities (especially young adventurers)
It is wonderful to be able to share our beautiful surroundings with children and we have tried to come up with ways to help them explore, discover and play independently.
The Pixie trail is an exciting way for the children to explore the woods, can you find where all of our Pickwell Pixies live? Be sure to let Julia or Simon know if you find them all as you get a certificate and prize.
We have trail paths around the woodland with all sorts of things to spot, there are tree swings, our very own ‘Dragon tree’ to climb on, even Pickwell’s own Pirate Island in our woods, complete with a treasure chest full of all things pirate, to fire the imaginations of young (and old) guests alike.
There are also games around the grounds with football by the entrance, basketball, and tennis on the tennis court and croquet in the Italian garden.. As all the facilities are shared please make sure that you or your children put back any items they have borrowed or played with so the next explorers can enjoy them too.
In the holidays you can test your skills with Simon’s ‘dead dead good, dead dead hard Treasure hunt’.
We have some tourist information leaflets in the entrance hall in both the east and west sides of the house, if you get stuck for ideas.
All the grounds to the front and side of the house are yours to explore and enjoy, it is only the back garden (accessed via steps) and the area behind the West Wing (accessed through metal gates) that we keep private. Please also note, we do have some water areas on site so we do ask that you supervise your children when they are at Pirate Island and in the Italian garden and check on them regularly when they are playing elsewhere.
In each of the family-sized apartments, there is a 'Pacapod' bag for your use. These bags have won awards for their wonderful organisational design. There are two smaller rucksacks within the large one and we have added a small selection of Tupperware should you fancy a picnic - just don't forget to clean it out at the end of your stay so it is ready for the next person.
Activities away from Pickwell
Below are some of our recommendations but there are loads of things to explore and do in this wonderful area:
Active Escape: Run by Ben Kennedy. They offer Coasteering, SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boards) for singles, doubles or whole families, Coastal Rafting, and Adventure Courses. Check them out at www.activeescape.co.uk - mention you are staying at Pickwell Manor to receive a discount.
Surfing
There are lots of surf schools to choose from, at Croyde there are:
Or at Putsborough Surf lessons are available at Nick Thorn Surf School.
Book in advance on 01271 871337
Board Hire
Most local beaches have a surf hire hut for both wetsuits and boards. We strongly advise you have a surf lesson or two before hiring if you have not surfed before. Board hire is available from all the surf shops in Croyde and Woolacombe or from the car park hut at Putsborough.
Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton all have beach lifeguards between 10am - 4pm and you will need to surf or swim within their flags. Do take a look at The Coastal Code leaflets in the entrance halls for information on beach safety and ways to help keep our beaches some of the best in the world!
Useful local directory of numbers
Pampering for the Adults
PURE skin and beauty in Braunton: 01271 815600.
Chloe at Hands On in Braunton: 01271 812998.
Woolacombe Bay Hotel: 01271 870338.
Saunton Sands Hotel: 01271 890212
Cinemas
Barnstaple: 77 Boutport Street, Barnstaple EX31 1SR - 0871 2303200.
Ilfracombe: 134 High Street, Ilfracombe EX34 9EZ- 01271 862323
Woolacombe Neo boutique cinema
Swimming pools
Ruda Holiday Park fun pool in Croyde- it has a big water slide; small slides for little ones and a lazy river.
North Devon Leisure Centre: Seven Brethren Bank, Barnstaple, North Devon - 01271 373 361
Croyde Bay Holiday Resort, UNISON, Croyde Bay, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1QB. Tel: 01271890890.
Paint-a-Pot
Braunton - 5 Exeter Road Braunton EX33 2JL. Phone 01271813999
Woolacombe - Waves Ceramic Studio & Cafe, Golden Coast Sporting Villas, EX34 7HW. Phone 01271 871360.
Bowling
Barnstaple - Lets Go Superbowl - Braunton Road Barnstaple EX311LE - 01271 321 123
Woolacombe - Golden Coast Sporting Villas, Woolacombe, Devon EX34 7HW- 01271 871 360
Wildlife
Wildlife Parks and Zoo’s Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Adventure Parks - These are all quite small and quirky but great particularly for primary-age children.
Water Park
North Devon Wake Park is about a 30-40minute drive but is well worth it for wakeboarding and giant inflatable fun.
Other activities that may be of interest
Climbing for our nearest indoor climbing head to Exeter for a day out to the Quay climbing centre.
Sea Fishing there is Blue Fin Charters from Ilfracombe Harbour.
Sea safari adventure from Ilfracombe Harbour.
Beach volleyball - there are nets on Croyde beach or at Croyde park
Rollerskating at Barnstaple indoor rink
For other great things to do visit www.tobooka.co.uk/pickwell-manor
Or take a look at the Things To Do or Family Days pages on our website.