Need to find a particular place in Devon...

[DilemmaDelilah]

I'm hoping mumsnetters in Devon can help with this one....

I have a week off in mid July - we can only go on day trips, or maybe an overnight trip, as we have an elderly cat and no catsitter. I'm looking for somewhere lovely to go for a picnic. I would like to be able to go somewhere next to a shallow stream with a stony or gravel bed where I can paddle.

I know lots of lovely places, but now I can't walk very far so I need to find somewhere with a car park within VERY easy reach and not up or down a hill. Preferably within easy reach of a loo, but that could be a short drive away.

Is there such a place? When I was a child we used to go to Belstone, but I can't get up and down the steep path to the stream now. I just have a hankering to put my feet in a stream, listen to the water and the birds, have some quiet time.

Aw this is sweet. I hope you can find what you're looking for!

Seaton Wetlands? Pretty sure they have mobility buggies you can hire, but its a couple of hundred yards from car park to stream at most, but there is more to explore. There is a little stream accessible by a small set of about 8 steps. Accessible bird hides, loads of wildlife, volunteer run coffee shop (check which days) and toilets on site.

Postbridge. Large car park with toilets. Hundred yards from the river. Post office does take away cream tea and a nice pub the other side of the river

Postbridge as pp suggested or Dartmeet. Both right by carparks with cafe/toilets. Dartmeet is a lovely spot with loads of big rocks in the river.

Thank you both. At the moment Postbridge is winning! I've also heard good things about Bellever Forest - does anyone know if the walk to the stream from the car park is easy?

Bellever forest, just round the corner from post Bridge.

Also a parking area right next to the Dart just before Hexworthy.

That's Huccaby Bridge. Turn right out of dartmeet, up the hill, follow the road past the mad pixie place and Brimpt's on your right as though going to Princetown and then turn left down towards Hexworthy.

It's just a pull-in by the bridge so not room for many cars (and no loo) but if you go there and there's no room you can always head to Dartmeet.

One of my favourite places in the world. I learned to swim in that bit of the Dart, many years ago.

Tarr Steps
https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/blog/tarr-steps/

Okehampton Castle. Good car park which is also next to a beautiful flat green woodland-edged space next to the Okement river, which is easy to paddle in. I'm sure there will be toilets in the castle grounds.

Oh Postbridge is a good call. Can’t help with other ideas but thought you might like this recipe for a perfect day.

Do you know Spitchwick, @DilemmaDelilah, or Postbridge? Both have water with car parking on hand, although the Dart at Spitchwick is deeper. Or you could visit Two Bridges, where you can get a meal or drink at the hotel and there's the Black brook River on hand.

Huccaby and Bellever both good shouts. Let's face it, it's all heavenly!

Burrator is lovely too, but weekends better avoided. It's a reservoir, but has streams feeding the lake and a perimeter road so easy walking

Pic from Google. This is the path from the car park to the river op.

What a lovely thread!

OP have a great time and do report back once you've been.

Otterton Mill, teashop, car parking, toilets, and directly next to a stream that you can paddle in

Spitchwick is obviously Actual Heaven but possibly less accessible? We've usually parked at Newbridge and walked along the river which I don't think would be practical for OP. There is parking by the common but often very busy.

(DH and I went there once out of season and saw NOBODY. I couldn't believe it)

Some great ideas! I had forgotten about Tarr steps - I went there 20 years ago when I was younger and fitter and could do the long (to me) round walk along the river. We saw salmon jumping - it was lovely. I can't remember if we could park near the steps though... I will have to check.

Lynmouth! The river runs through the heart of the village, perfect for paddling, car park with toilets just yards away, plenty of pubs, cafes and eating places, two excellent chippys and the stunning, tranquil Valley Of The Rocks just a few minutes drive away at Lynton - well worth a visit just to see the amazing rock formations and wild goats.

Cadover Bridge - very close to the car park and flat ground. No toilets, but it’s not far from Yelverton which has public loos, cafes and level walks.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/cadover-bridge