Holsworthy Cottages with Hot Tubs

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Holsworthy Guide

Holsworthy, a market town in Devon, offers excellent cottage holidays with hot tubs. Located near the Cornwall border, it's perfectly positioned for exploring both counties while enjoying countryside views from your private hot tub.

The area boasts several attractions including Tamar Lakes Country Park (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor) and the Ruby Country Trail. Holsworthy's Wednesday market has run since 1154, making it one of England's oldest continuously operating markets.

Author Michael Morpurgo lives nearby and has featured the local landscape in several books. The town's annual St Peter's Fair dates back to 1240 when Henry III granted the town its market charter.

Cottages range from cosy one-bedroom retreats to large farmhouses accommodating 12+ guests. Many properties welcome dogs and some offer extras like wood burners, games rooms and private gardens alongside those all-important hot tubs.

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Sightseeing

Holsworthy sits in prime position for exploring Devon and Cornwall. The town itself has a compact centre with independent shops and the historic St Peter and St Paul's Church worth popping into. Don't miss the weekly market (Wednesdays) which fills the town square.

Tamar Lakes Country Park (EX22 6HG, open daily 8am-dusk) offers water sports, fishing and walking trails. It scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor with visitors praising the "beautiful scenery" and "excellent facilities".

Bude's beaches are just 15 minutes away by car. Summerleaze Beach has a sea pool and scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor. Widemouth Bay (4.5/5) offers great surfing conditions and several surf schools.

The Tamar Otter & Wildlife Centre (PL15 8GW, open 10am-5pm April-October) houses British and Asian short-clawed otters plus wallabies and deer. It scores 4/5 on TripAdvisor with most visitors recommending the otter feeding sessions.

Pet Friendly

I've found Holsworthy brilliant for dog holidays. Many local cottages welcome pets, often with enclosed gardens where they can run safely while you enjoy your hot tub.

The Tamar Lakes Country Park has excellent dog walking routes. The lower lake allows dogs off-lead in designated areas, while the upper lake has a 2-mile circular path perfect for a morning walk.

For dining, The Rydon Inn (EX22 7HU) welcomes dogs in the bar area and garden, serving good pub food. The Bickford Arms (EX22 7HH) also has a dog-friendly bar section with water bowls provided.

Beaches near Holsworthy have seasonal dog restrictions. Widemouth Bay's southern section (Black Rock) allows dogs year-round, while Sandymouth Beach (EX23 9HW) permits dogs outside May-September. Always carry poo bags - the local council fines £100 for not picking up.

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Holsworthy

1. Holsworthy Museum (EX22 6DJ, open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-3:30pm, April-October) houses fascinating local history exhibits. It's small but packed with artefacts from the town's agricultural past, including tools, photographs and documents dating back centuries. The volunteers know their stuff and often share stories you won't find in guidebooks. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: "What a gem! We learned more about local history in an hour here than from any book."

2. Dunsland House Gardens (EX22 7JQ, open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm, March-October) offers beautiful formal gardens surrounding the remains of a Tudor mansion that burned down in 1967. The National Trust maintains the grounds, which include woodland walks, a walled garden and impressive rhododendron displays in spring. Visitors consistently rate it 4/5 on TripAdvisor, with comments like "peaceful" and "wonderfully uncrowded".

3. Ruby Country Trail Network provides excellent cycling and walking routes through the countryside surrounding Holsworthy. The trails connect local villages and beauty spots, with routes suitable for all abilities. Maps are available from Holsworthy Tourist Information Centre (EX22 6DH). Cyclists particularly praise the Pegasus Way, a 15-mile traffic-free route following an old railway line. A recent visitor commented: "Fantastic views across to Dartmoor on clear days."

What's the best time to visit Holsworthy?

May to September offers the best weather for enjoying your hot tub. Holsworthy's St Peter's Fair in July brings a week of events to town. Winter visits mean quieter attractions and cosy evenings, but some seasonal businesses close November-March.

How far is Holsworthy from the beach?

The nearest beaches are around Bude, approximately 15 minutes' drive (9 miles). Widemouth Bay and Summerleaze are the closest. The north Devon coast (Westward Ho!, Croyde) takes about 45 minutes by car.

Are there good places to eat in Holsworthy?

Yes! The White Hart (EX22 6EB) serves excellent pub food using local ingredients. For something special, try The Rydon Inn (EX22 7HU) which gets consistently good reviews for its Sunday roasts. Market House Café (EX22 6BH) does great breakfasts and lunches.

Do I need a car in Holsworthy?

I'd recommend one. Public transport is limited, with infrequent buses to Bude and Bideford. Most attractions and beaches require driving. Some cottages offer bike hire which works for local exploration.

What supermarkets are in Holsworthy?

Holsworthy has a Waitrose and Co-op in town. For bigger shops, Morrisons and Lidl are in Bude (9 miles). Many cottages can arrange local food deliveries and the Wednesday market sells fresh local produce.

Is Holsworthy suitable for children?

Absolutely. Kids love The Milky Way Adventure Park (EX39 5RY, 30 minutes' drive), The Big Sheep (EX39 5AP) and Tamar Lakes activities. Many cottages provide games and play equipment and the hot tub is always popular with families!