The Post • Things to do this spring 5
Sharpham Vineyard The beautiful 550-acre estate perched on the banks of the River Dart contains 12,000 vines on its south-facing
slopes and a herd of 80 Jersey cows grazing the grassland, whose milk is used for a range of handmade soft cheeses. They’ve been making award-winning wines at the family run vineyard since 1981 and are now at the forefront of vine growing and wine making in the UK. A range of vineyard tours is on offer to ‘taste the experience’, from a simple self-guided Trek and Taste to the full Sharpham Experience. Fans of the Anchorstone Café in Dittisham will be pleased to know the team are running the vineyard’s café and will be reopening for this season at the end of April. The café offers al fresco dining in the most idyllic setting. Call 01803 732178. To arrive by water, the River Rat runs ferry trips to Sharpham Quay from Totnes. To book, see
www.riverrat.co.uk or call the Sandpiper water taxi from Dartmouth on 07907 528201. More details at
www.sharpham.com
6 Hang out at
Paignton Zoo With more than 2,000 animals on
site Paignton Zoo is a great day out for young and old. The zoo is split into six zones, mimicking different habitats including wetlands and savannahs. It also has a Jungle Express train and indoor play areas. Ex- citing improvements are being made to the Hangout play area and Lemur Wood. These areas will reopen at Easter. Paignton Zoo is a registered charity and part of a worldwide network of zoos, which cares for and breeds rare species thanks to visitors who help fund the work. The zoo is open from 10am every- day.
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
17
8 7 Find peace & tranquility at Buckfast
Abbey For a bit of calm and tranquility, a visit to the living mon-
astery that is Buckfast Abbey will certainly relax you. Home to a community of Benedictine monks, the abbey was founded nearly 1,000 years ago and stood for 500 years before Henry VIII closed it. The present day monks returned in 1882 and rebuilt the church on its medieval foundations. The abbey is now famous for its stained glass, bee keeping and unique Tonic Wine. As well as the tranquil church there are delightfully peaceful gardens around the site. The Grange Restaurant and Tearoom serves delicious lunches and cream teas. The abbey is open to the public outside of service times, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from midday to 6pm. For more information visit
www.buckfast.org.uk
Hike or ride Haldon
Forest For an exhilarating dose of fresh
air take a walk or bike ride – or even a Segway Trail – in the 3,500 acres of woodland at Haldon Forest Park. Walks and bike trails are coded for ability, including the family friendly Discovery Trail complete with natural play features, and the more challenging Butterfly Trail, with the potential to discover some rare butterflies in the peaceful depths of the forest. There’s a technical trail for more experienced mountain bikers and a cycle skills area to practice in. Haldon also houses a Go Ape adventure zone, complete with zip wires and Tarzan swings, and ten miles of horse riding trails. Cycles can be hired on site. For more information visit www.
forestry.gov.uk/haldonforestpark
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