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Things To Do

Imperial Hotel Couple Walking along the River Taw

Explore Barnstaple & North Devon

Make your stay memorable as you explore what North Devon has to offer.

There are great activities available close to the Imperial Hotel, to make your stay at our elegant 4-star hotel even more memorable.

Discover Events at The Imperial Hotel

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Clovelly Village View

Exclusive Guest Discounts

When staying with us at The Imperial Hotel, we want you to get the most out of your stay and enjoy all that North Devon has to offer. With that in mind, we have teamed up with many local attractions and are pleased to offer you the following discounts.

Discover our Exclusive Guest Discounts

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A bartender making smoking cocktails at Bar62 in barnstaple

Discover The Barnstaple Collection

As our guest, you have access to some exclusive North Devon discounts and benefits through our Barnstaple Collection. Enjoy an array of discounted dining across our sister hotels from cocktails, to lunches and afternoon teas, there's a discount for everyone. 

Discover our Barnstaple Collection

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Local Attractions

Here are some of our top choices for amazing things to do. What's more, you can enjoy exclusive discounts to local Devon attractions when you stay with us.

DARTINGTON CRYSTAL
Dartington Crystal

20% off first Quality items

Experience a brand new Visitor Experience at Dartington Crystal’s popular tourist attraction in Great Torrington, the home to the UK’s last remaining factory scale crystal and glass manufacturer. Delve into the history and heritage of Dartington Crystal before venturing around the modern-day factory as you witness glass-making demonstrations in a newly installed studio furnace.

Distance: 12.5 miles [approx. 29 mins]

Girls on Trampoline Attraction Jumping
Air Extreme

10% off when you stay with us.

Bounce, flip and let loose on the wall-to-wall trampolines inside Air Extreme for an exciting activity for all the family. Situated in Barnstaple (25 minutes from us), the park offers a wide range of fun sessions from disco to fitness.

Distance: 3.1 miles [approx. 9 mins]

Couple Shopping Lifestyle Concept
Affinity Devon Shopping Outlet

Fantastic shopping with over 30 stores from famous national brands, offering a fantastic variety of offers on normal retail prices. Clothes, food and drink, children's play area and regular events - what more could you want from a shopping trip? Open seven days a week.

Distance: 12 miles [approx. 23 mins]

Tapeley Park
Tapeley Park

2 for 1 entry when you stay with us

Tapeley Park situated between Instow and Bideford is one of North Devon’s best-kept secrets. Take in the magnificent views over the Torridge Estuary to the sea beyond. Their grounds are renowned for their beautiful gardens, especially the Italian terraces where visitors can sit back and relax and make the most of the peace and tranquillity. 

Distance: 9.2 miles [approx. 16 mins]

Clovelly Village in North Devon
Clovelly

World famous for its cobbled, traffic-free street, donkeys, sledges and historic harbour. The stunning views, peaceful tranquillity and cobbled, traffic-free, high street of this fishing village, built into a cleft in a 400' high cliff, tumbles its way down past whitewashed cottages festooned with flowers to the tiny working port.

Distance: 21 miles [approx. 33 mins]

Front View of Hartland Abbey
Hartland Abbey & Gardens

10% off when you stay with us. 

Hartland Abbey with its beautiful gardens and grounds welcomes visitors from the end of March until October. It is the cherished home of the Stucley family with treasures and memorabilia collected over many generations.

Distance: 24 miles [approx. 41 mins]

Lundy Island
Lundy Island

In a place of wide spaces and big skies, without roads, cars or pollution, simply walking is a profound pleasure. Lundy has a milder climate than the mainland, with more sunshine and less rain. Book a day trip on the MS Oldenburg to Lundy from Bideford quay.

 

Watermouth Cove
Watermouth Castle

A lovely Victorian Castle with interesting displays that is also home to a family theme park with rides, maze, dungeons, play areas and beautiful landscaped gardens.

Distance: 12 miles [approx. 27 mins]

Marwood Hill Gardens
Marwood Hill Gardens

Only 4 miles from Barnstaple, Marwood Hill Gardens is an excellent 20 acre private garden and lakes, with a Garden Tea Room and wonderful views.

Distance: 4.7 miles [approx. 15 mins]

Sheep and Lamb at The Big Sheep
The Big Sheep

A great family day out including 12 live shows a day, farmyard animals, rides and entertainment.

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 19 mins]

Dinosaur Model Combe Martin Wildlife Dinosaur Park
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park

A lovely 28 acre park with wildlife including African lions, wolves, sea lions and meerkats, as well as spectacular dinosaur models.

Distance: 13 miles [approx. 25 mins]

Animal at Exmoor Zoo
Exmoor Zoo

10% off entry when you stay with us.

An enjoyable day trip for all ages, the zoos treats visitors to a close-up view within excellent animal exhibits. The closest local zoos are Exmoor Zoo, which is home to the only pair of black leopards (or Exmoor beasts if you believe the legends) on exhibit in the UK, and Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, a prehistoric park that features a variety of exotic animals alongside plenty of dinosaur animatronics.

Distance: 7.5 miles [approx. 20 mins]

Cyclist on Tarka Trail in Rock Park Barnstaple North Devon
The Tarka Trail

The famous series of footpaths and cycle paths inspired by the much-loved book and taking you through glorious scenery. Cycles can be hired locally in Barnstaple at Tarka Trail Cycle Hire.

Broomhill Gardens
Broomhill Sculpture Gardens

10% off sculpture park entry when you stay with us

A sanctuary for fine arts set in a 103 acre estate with over 200 sculptures.

Distance: 3.9 miles [approx. 11 mins]

Barnstaple Museum
Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon

Collections and displays that cover the natural and human history of beautiful North Devon.  

Distance: 1 mile [approx. 4 mins]

RHS Rosemoor
RHS Garden Rosemoor

Receive £8 entry when you book online

Only a few miles from the Imperial Hotel, this beautiful 65-acre garden is meticulously planted, within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides and hotel guests are entitled to discounted entry!

Distance: 13 miles [approx. 26 mins]

Milky Way Adventure Park
The Milky Way Adventure Park

Receive 10% off entry when you stay with us [term time only]

An all-weather theme park featuring the Cosmic Typhoon, Devon’s tallest, fastest & longest roller coaster. It also includes North Devon’s biggest indoor adventure play area.

Distance: 18 miles [approx. 29 mins]

Quad Biking activity
Keypitts Activity Centre

10% off when you stay with us

A fantastic activity centre near Ilfracombe, offering Quad Biking, Axe Throwing and 4×4 Land Rover Experience. 

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 23 mins]

Becky Falls Dartmouth
Becky Falls

10% off when you stay with us

No visit to Devon would be complete without a visit to Dartmoor's iconic landmark. Come and breathe some of the purest air in England, explore 50 acres of stunning woodlands and enjoy a very, very warm welcome!

Distance: 43 miles [approx. 1hr, 24 mins]

Stuart Line Cruises
Stuart Line Cruises

10% off when you stay with us

Ensure you don’t miss out on one of Devon's top things to do and take a trip with Stuart Line Cruises. Sailing all year round, you can set sail and explore the rich wildlife and breathtaking views of the River Exe or set sail back 250 million years exploring the Jurassic Coast Line.

Distance: 59 miles [approx. 1hr 18 mins]

Couple on Double Kayak
OSKC Watersports

10% off when you stay with us

Watersports centre in Combe Martin offering all types of kayak and stand up paddle board activities including hire and guided kayak tours.

Distance: 9 miles [approx. 26 mins]

Segway Experience
EasiGlide Segway Experience

10% off when you stay with us

EasiGlide offers Segway tours around North Devon and other areas of the South West. Rolling hills, ocean views, muddy fields, sand dunes as well as plenty of obstacle courses and games provide the ultimate thrill of riding a Segway.

Distance: 12 miles [approx. 24 mins]

Man on SUP Board at Sunset
H2Outdoor

10% off when you stay with us

H2o Outdoor specialise in providing unforgettable experiences by combining high quality activities with the outstanding natural beauty of this area. Coasteering, Kayaking, Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Wild Swimming are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed with them either on a single session basis or combined to form an exhilarating adventure package. 

Distance: 13 miles [approx. 26 mins]

Close Look Up at the Bees when Honey Making
Quince Honey Farm

20% off when you stay with us

Discover the hidden world of bees at this delightful family-run farm in South Molton. Since upping sticks and relocating to a bigger location, the site now holds a gorgeous stretch of gardens to roam while keeping the same glorious activities – from a beekeeping tour or experience to candle rolling and honey tasting.

Distance: 10 miles [approx. 19 mins]

South West Coast Path
South West Coast Path

We’re located on the South West Coast Path and just a stone’s throw from Braunton Burrows, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to 500 species of wild flowers and rare wildlife. Other stunning close walks (which are good for all the family) to try are to Baggy Point in Croyde and Crow Point at the southern end of Braunton Burrows.

Surfboard at Saunton Beach
Walking on Waves

10% discount on all lessons

First Wave sessions are designed to get you off the beach, in the water, and having fun as quickly as possible. We meet up, get to know each other and jump into our “guaranteed to keep you warm” winter wetsuits. It’s only 100m to the beach (although if the tide’s out it can be a bit further to the sea) where we’ll go through the safety drill and give you a chance to practice before we get wet. Then it’s off to the sea to get some real experience with the help of the Walking-on-waves team.  

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 25 mins]

Race World Go Karting
Race World Go-Karting

Race World Go-Karting track is Exeter's very best indoor racing track! With 400m circuit, flyover bridge, state-of-the-art equipment, conference room and 4000sq ft viewing area, it has something for everyone!

Distance: 55 miles [approx. 1hr 8 mins]

Couple on Walking Tour
Guided Walking Tours

John Ward offers guided walking breaks and tailor-made adventures within the wild beauty of the coastline and moors of North Devon and Exmoor.  Walk the stunning coast and country of North Devon and Exmoor with a knowledgeable and friendly local guide and visit the 'hidden gems' of the area - from the old-world charm of remote hamlets to expansive moors and secluded coves. 

The Ultimate Adventure Activity Centre
The Ultimate Adventure Activity Centre

15% off when you stay with us

Based in Abbotsham, North Devon the centre has been providing a comprehensive range of outdoor adventure activities since 2011. Choose from, high ropes, kayaking, coasteering, archery, paddle-boarding, mountain boarding, surfing, and the famous total wipeout-inspired assault course. Activity sessions run every morning, afternoon & evening.

Distance: 11 miles [approx. 19 mins]

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