Cockington is a beautiful village close to Torquay in the heart of South Devon’s stunning English Riviera – it’s a delight to visit all year round. Take a walk back in time along Cockington’s narrow lanes, lined with thatched houses and you’ll experience a quiet charm that is quintessentially English. Everything about Cockington oozes with history – there’s a water mill, a forge and even the cricket pitch was once a medieval deer park. It’s an unforgettable place to stay and perfect for romantic breaks and dog-friendly family holidays. And Torquay with its sandy beaches, huge range of attractions, buzzing restaurants, shops, theatres and bars is right on your doorstep.
The Historic Heart
At the heart of this lovely Devon village is Cockington Court, a 16th century manor house surrounded by hundreds of acres of gorgeous country park. Enjoy an idyllic stroll around the beautiful Norman church, the arboretum, the recently restored lakes, Gamekeepers Cottage and the renovated water mill. Stroll back through the park and cricket green. Cockington Country Park has received the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy, Green Flag Award, an accolade which it has retained 23 times since its launch, one of only 5 sites in the whole of the UK to do so. The Green Flag Award is given for high environmental standards, being beautifully maintained and having excellent visitor facilities. It’s heaven in Devon for dog owners with lots of places for your pooch to run and explore. Don’t miss a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride!
Arts and Crafts
Today, Devon’s Cockington Court is a hub for art and crafts and in the hugely popular contemporary craft centre you’ll find delightful working studios with all kinds of artists in creative mode. These include a chocolate maker, glassblower, blacksmith, jewellers, ceramicists, wood turner, leather crafter, textile artist, mosaicist, painter, flower designer, print maker and more. You can browse, buy, meet and chat to the makers and even take courses such as becoming a chocolatier for a morning.
Delicious Devon
Cockington is rightly famous for its delicious Devon cream teas and temptation is never far with Cockington Court’s own tearooms, the Lutyens designed Drum Inn, Weaver’s Cottage Tea Shoppe and Rose Cottage Tea Gardens among the popular choices. Of course you are not limited to tea; you can stay in the village for lunch and dinner or visit the nearby waterfront at Torquay for a huge selection of restaurants, cocktail bars and bistros plus a choice of theatres.
Events, Markets & Play Time
Cockington Court has a year-round programme of events including regular food & craft markets, open-air theatre, Cockington Apple Day and the ever-popular Cockington Christmas Fayre as well as regular art exhibitions. The Ark Play Area is suitable for all children including those with disabilities and offers a wheelchair seesaw, a turning stone, sound boxes, a singing stone, a water feature with seesaw pump and fountain, as well as slides and ramps. Cockington’s well supported Green Heart Appeal has not only meant that the park has been wonderfully restored but there’s also a superb new Country Park Visitor Centre at the Linhay in the village centre.
A Living, Breathing Time Capsule
Close to Torquay seafront but tucked away in a secret valley where time seems to have stood still, Cockington is a living time capsule in the heart of the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful Bay. It is a truly unique and popular place to stay with choice of hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, self-catering apartments and Devon cottages.
Some of Devon’s Very Best Attractions
Cockington is on the doorstep of vibrant Torquay, which has some of Devon’s best year-round attractions including the spectacular underground caves at Kents Cavern, 800 year old Torre Abbey with its Agatha Christie-inspired Potent Plants Garden, Babbacombe Model Village, Bygones plus Open Top Sightseeing Buses and much more. Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust has a big programme of delightful events you can join in spring, summer, autumn or winter. Walkers will love Devon’s stunning South West Coast path with its jaw dropping views. Why not plan a fascinating walk along England’s Seafood Coast? Click here for some great ideas and a full itinerary.
Getting There
Cockington is accessible by car, bus and train with the new South Devon highway making driving here a breeze. There are three car parks and a 62 bus Monday to Friday. The train station at Torquay is a 20-minute walk through the watermeadows and boardwalk. Of course taxis are readily available and it’s just a few minutes into the centre of Torquay.
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