Whether you’re looking for the salty breeze of the North Devon and Cornwall cliffs or the rugged tors and open wilderness of Dartmoor, Borough Farm is perfectly positioned to give you the best of both worlds. The West Devon landscape is a tapestry of rolling green hills and deep-cut wooded valleys, while our nearby coastline offers some of the most dramatic, rugged scenery in the South West.

Here are six of our absolute favourite local hikes to help you explore the wilder side of our doorstep.

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1. Crackington Haven to Strangles Beach

• Distance from Borough Farm: ~27 miles (40-min drive)
• Time: 2 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Strenuous (includes a rope descent!)
• The Vibe: Adventurous & Wild
• Starting Point: Crackington Haven Car Park

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This is a true "off the beaten track" experience. Starting at the charming Crackington Haven, you'll traverse dramatic clifftops with views that stretch for miles. The highlight is the descent to Strangles Beach - it’s steep, and you’ll need to use the fixed rope to shimmy down the final section! Keep your eyes peeled for the wild mountain goats that scale these vertical cliffs with much more grace than most hikers!

Pro Tip: Check the tide times - you want a low tide to enjoy the full expanse of the beach.

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2. Widgery Cross (Brat Tor) and Great Links Tor loop

• Distance from Borough Farm: ~10 miles (20-min drive)
• Time: 2 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• The Vibe: Best for those who love big skies and a rewarding meal.
• Starting Point: Brat Tor Parking

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The walk takes you up to the iconic Widgery Cross on Brat Tor - the tallest stone cross on the moor - before looping over to the massive granite outcrops of Great Links Tor (which our Yurt is named after!). The 360-degree views of the western moor are breathtaking. You can finish your hike at the Dartmoor Inn, located in the same village as the car park, which we highly recommend for a post-hike pint or Sunday roast.

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3. Brentor Church (St Michael de Rupe)

• Distance from Borough Farm: ~5 miles (10-min drive)
• Time: 30 to 45 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy (Short but steep)
• The Vibe: Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and big skies
• Starting Point: Brentor Church Car Park

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Perched on the summit of a volcanic plug, this tiny 12th-century church is one of the most photographed spots in Devon. It’s a short, sharp walk up, but it is absolutely worth it. Legend has it the churchsits on powerful ley lines, and there is an undeniable energy here.

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Pro Tip: This is the spot for sunrise or sunset. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Cornish coast.

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4. Lydford Woods

• Distance from Borough Farm: ~8.5 miles (20-min drive)
• Time: 1 to 2 hours (Various loops)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• The Vibe: Perfect for Dogs
• Starting Point: Lydford Forest Car Park

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If you have a four-legged friend in tow, Lydford Woods is a paradise. With towering trees and the sound of the River Lyd rushing nearby, it’s cool and shaded even in the height of summer. There are several well-marked paths that allow for a gentle stroll or a more vigorous hike through the gorge-side woodland.

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5. Wistman’s Wood

• Distance from Borough Farm: ~16 miles (30-min drive)
• Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• The Vibe: For the Nature Lover
• Starting Point: Two Bridges Car Park

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Starting from Two Bridges, this walkleads you to a prehistoric "temperate rainforest." Wistman's Wood isa small grove of ancient, stunted oaks covered in thick carpets of moss andlichens. It feels like stepping into a scene from Lord of the Rings.

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6. Tavy Cleave

• Distance from Borough Farm: ~10 miles (20-min drive)
• Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• The Vibe: Birdwatchers' Paradise
• Starting Point: Lane End parking, Mary Tavy

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Tavy Cleave is a dramatic valley where the River Tavy carves through the moorland. It is remarkably quiet and feels incredibly remote. The path runs between the river and the leat, where you can spot small darting trout. It’s a hotspot for birdlife - keep an eye out for wheatears, stonechats, and even the occasional bird of prey. This is also a great spot forwild swimming!

Pro Tip: Before you set off, download the Merlin Bird ID app - it’s brilliant for identifying calls in real-time as you walk through the cleave.

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