green lands & golden sands

The lovely bustling village of Kilkhampton has a distinctly laid-back air about it, in its scenic spot just off the north Cornish coastline. Surrounded by outstanding beauty, the natural landscape is one of extremes, from stunning sandy beaches to rugged open moorlands, lakes and even waterfalls.

Is this the most perfect place? Large enough to host great food stores and pubs, yet small enough to care and know your neighbour.

Community spirit is in abundance here. You can see it and feel it in the atmospheric pubs, both of which serve home-cooked food and local ales. Other essential village amenities include a primary school, convenience stores, a butcher's, a traditional fish & chip shop, a hairdresser's and more — all an easy, level, 5-minute walk from Blackberry Lane. The monthly Hartland Farmers Market can’t be missed. Just a short drive away, it’s the perfect place to mooch and browse locally grown produce and crafts all made within a 25-mile radius. Even closer to home, why not grab a cheeky cake or a homemade pasty or enjoy a long grazy lunch at the Little Pig farm shop on the way to Bude, the nearest town where the locals nip for a ‘big shop’ or a ‘big night out’.

Just a few miles north of the Victorian seaside town of Bude, Kilkhampton covets an enviable location on the border between north Cornwall and north Devon. The best of both worlds. Farmland fields stretch as far as the eye can see, like a patchwork of lush green blankets. Beyond that are the golden expanses of Summerleaze Beach and Sandymouth Bay, popular with families and surfers, and the more secluded Duckpool Bay.

Leisure is a way of life here. Apart from the obvious water sports and beach pursuits close by, there’s so much else to do here to keep everyone outdoors and active. It’s a paradise for walkers and hikers. For starters, the village has its own 20-acre common right on your doorstep. A south-facing valley of grassland, woodland and rivers, it’s home to grazing sheep and horses as well as flora and fauna of all kinds. Tamar lakes are also nearby, as is Bude Canal and the South West Coastal Path, all waiting to be explored at your leisure.

And if you love a bit of history, Kilkhampton is steeped in it. It sits astride the A39 ‘Atlantic Highway’ on the ancient ridgeway between Bude and Bideford, that was used by monks from Hartland Abbey. It’s also home to Bronze Age burial grounds, the remains of a Medieval motte and castle, and an impressive Roman church in the heart of the village.

Could Kilkhampton be the perfect place to write your own little piece of history?