The following comments have been left by previous guests at Riverview Court.

2009 Season

24th – 31st October. Weather very good for time of year, very little rain. Instow – nice beach within easy reach for walking dog and energetic toddler. Westward Ho – no sand at high tide
Pig on the Hill – great food and welcome. Dartington Crystal – a fascinating trip, worthy of an afternoon visit. Great to watch glass blowing. Clovelly – definitely worth a visit. From harbour, £4 boat trip entertaining. Mould in corner of bedroom (double) [Owner: leak fixed – problem resolved]. No Mirror in twin room [Owner: mirror installed]. Washing basket (to take clothes to line) would be handy. [Owner: basket now provided].

12th – 26th September. We have enjoyed another 2 weeks at this delightful location. The walks in the area are superb and we’ve had 2 good weeks of weather. We particularly enjoyed the Maritime Museum at Appledore – extremely informative. It’s lovely to be able to watch wading birds from the window!

22nd - 29th August. Good Places to Visit: Westward Ho! – A wide selection of arcades, Go Karting, Crazy Golf, beach which allows dogs, shops and restaurants. A good fish and chip shop is the “Golden Fry”. Co-op and newsagents available. Braddicks is good on an evening for children activities, bingo and quizzes. The “Carousel” amusements had Prize Bingo which anyone can play. You can win gorgeous cuddly toys, shortbread and fudge, with much more when you save up your vouchers. Good Pubs: The White Hart Inn, allows dogs but food is only served when they feel like it. The Westleigh Inn, allows dogs, don’t buy a child’s portion as there is hardly anything to eat. The Kings Arms, allows dogs with nice homemade food. Golden Fry fish ‘n’ chips is nice. Country Cousins. Food looked nice. The cottage is nice and it is good for the dog as it has got an enclosed garden. To improve the cottage you could have a mirror in the bedroom with the 2 single beds in it. Also could change the sofa in the living room as it is not that comfortable.

25th July – 1st August. Bideford is a great base for visiting loads of places in North Devon. We went to the Big Sheep, which was great. The Milky Way was pleasantly surprisingly good. We went to the Wildlife and Dinosaur Park at Coombe Martin – great displays and animals – but I would never have gone if I knew you had to queue on the main road, to pay on the way to a car park on the steepest hill. The site is very steep and slippery – we saw two injuries and a woman taken off in an ambulance! Weather was unsettled but managed to see plenty and have a great holiday.

11th – 18th July. Great holiday base, well equipped and good location. Ate out a few times. Everything seemed reasonably priced, good fare. For takeaway, Mr Chips was excellent. If Luton play in the South West cup next season we will be back. UP THE HATTERS + Good Luck to Bideford in the coming football season. P.S. Locals very friendly – everyone greets you with a happy good morning!

20th June – 4th July. Very nice cottage with lovely views – very peaceful. A couple of small things would have made life easier – a butter knife and a basket to take the washing out to the line. [Owner: basket now provided] Also the bedding is a bit tired. [Owner: bedding replaced]. Apart from that we’ve had a lovely couple of weeks, with nice weather too! Instow, Saunton Sands and Bude have good beaches, and Rosemoor, Docton Mill and Tapely Park are lovely gardens. Excellent fish & chips at Mr Chips in Bideford! Also, the neighbours are friendly!

6th – 13th June. House was very comfortable and met our needs well. After a wet journey the welcoming cuppa was appreciated. After Saturday, the weather cleared up and we were able to do quite a lot – favourite excursions were the Torrington 1646 Museum and Clovelly. We tried several restaurants and no really bad experiences. In Bideford the Kings Arms was good and moderately priced. Walked part of the Tarka Trail and Hobby Drive at Clovelly. A very good centre for seeing something of North Devon.

16th – 23rd May. A nice, well equipped house with wonderful views. We found the location very good – local buses frequent, to use with our over 60’s bus passes! The only improvement could have been the weather!

9th – 16th May. A really good house – the best we have tried for many years. Excellent cream teas at Docton Mill and Rosemoor. Especially good lunch at the Pig on the Hill, awful at the Farmer’s Arms on A39 to Bude. Good meal at Thatched Inn at Abbotsham

2nd – 8th May. A therapeutic scene from the lounge, when the tide is high and the boats are bobbing and the handsome mallards are assembled on the wall. A comfy cottage in a good location. A pity the weather was rather mixed, but we made the best of it and have been out and around to lots of places. Couldn’t get as much walking on the coastal path as we’d have liked – the wind was a real annoyance this week. We like Bideford very much and will have to come again.

2008 Season

27th - 30th October. A most pleasant welcome of tea/coffee & biscuits which was most appreciated. A lovely clan place to stay with a cosy homely feel about it. Fantastic view of the river at the back.

4th - 11th October. Our second time here & it was as wonderful as last year. The house is great, with everything we need, & seeing all the birds at low tide is a treat! We would recommend Ali's Charcoal Grill for take aways, and Spice for a good meal too. We had a Sunday Lunch at the Hunter's Inn at Newton Tracey which was also very good.

13th - 20th September. Have had an enjoyable stay. Perhaps for our next visit please put another shilling in the Sun meter!!!. Food: Mr Ho; the book says best take away, incorrect, in our opinion the food was most unpleasant. Thatched Inn; Food well cooked and plenty off it. Have brought menu back and put in folder. Hoops Inn; Food good, restaurant has one menu but in bar you can have both restaurant & bar menu.

6th - 13th September. Lovely relaxing holiday, great views, house was like a home from home. Very comfortable everything we needed and a good base central to getting around to everywhere. Would recommend this place. Tried most restaurants recommended in this book by others and never had a bad meal. Look forward to coming back.

30th August - 6th September. A lovely house at which to be based as it appeared to be central to all of the places to visit in the beautiful "neck of the woods". We enjoyed (especially our 5 year old daughter) the safe and friendly environment. The view across the river is gorgeous and we will miss it very much.

23rd - 30th August. Great relaxing holiday, despite the weather. 'The Beaver, in Appledore one of the best pubs around, real ale too, and definately recommend Chiorstow Country Restaurant at Hartland - excellent food! Great walks all around. Look forward to coming back soon.

16th - 23rd August. Fantastic cottage, great base for exploring North Devon and NE Cornwall. Despite the weather we had a lovely holiday and would/will recommend this place/Bideford. Clovelly is definitely worth a visit as is Bude. If you like real ale (like my hubby) The Pig on the Hill a must - it gets busy, so get there early (loads for Kids to do there, while mum+dad relax! Cycle the Tarka trail, if you get the chance, its relatively flat but be warned there is sometimes nowhere to stop for refreshments. Best to ask before you set off - scenery is fantastic. Counting the days to our next Devon Holiday.

9th - 16th August. Enjoyed the cottage and the lovely views. Costal path to Bideford a very nice walk - a super park for children (or dogs). Would recommend The Big Sheep for a day out with Chirdren. Exmoor zoo was great and Quince Honey farm very interesting. Lovely cafe/gallery at aforementioned park. As others before - Mr Spice very nice.

26th July - 2nd August. Lovely cottage, really enjoyed the river views. Instow lovely beach very sandy. The wayfarer Inn lovely food.

19th - 26th. We recommend Ilfracombe for strolls in the evening and a great seadide atmosphere. Lundy (Island) well worth a visit, spectacular views from the cliffs. Recommended beaches: Saunton Sands, Bude, Woolacombe beach not so good. Lovely clean accomodation, kids loved it!.

28th June - 5th July . Comfortable, well equipped house in a good position. For eating we would recommend the Sand Cats Cafe in Westward Ho!, Caféano In Bideford and the Coach and Horses at Buckland Brewer.

7th - 14th June . What a lovely cottage, with such great views and helpful backup housekeeping service. Would definitely recommend to others.

17th - 24th May . Thank you for the tea & Biscuits etc. Very welcoming. We couldn't have wished for a lovlier, cleaner & positioned cottage. Had a lovely week, the weather has been really kind. WOuld definately recommend to family and friends.

10th - 11th May. Only stayed one night but accomodation clean & homely. Can really recommend the Boathouse at Instow for Food. 01271 861292. But be warned, book to avoid disappointment. They do operate a turn up and wait system. Great stay and thanks for letting us stay for just one night.

3rd - 10th May. Lovely views, lots to watch on the river. Lovely area, kids enjoted everything. Light bulb went in bathroom caused trip to go. Neighbour helped find fusebox in downstairs loo. [Editor: Housekeeper is available for such problems].

2007 Season

13th - 20th October. Another lovely week, loads of great walks and colin our english setter feels it is now his 'Second Home'! Thank you.

8th - 15th September. Our first time in this area too. Great river views and good walks enjoyed by our westie. Nice house - we especially appreciated being able to bring our dog.

1st - 8th September. Our first time here and we've had a wondeful time! the house if lovely, great views & everything you could want inside. We completely recommend the Exmoor Zoological park - a good drive but well worth it. We will be back.

25th August - 1st September. Another great holiday. Instow beach and Tarka Trail again. There is a great fun pool called Cascades at Ruda holiday park on far aide of Croyde bay, works on hour sessions. "Coast" is great for lunch when you come out, check when they stop serving food though. "2nd time we went to Billy Bud's in Croyde village, nice play area and garden. The Karting Centre at Barnstaple was great fun - 3 speeds of kart, 6 minute races, you can turn up anytime. The Spice in Bideford is great for a curry. Have a great holiday.

4th - 18th August. Excellent time was had by all. Recommend "Beaver Inn" at Appledore (Irsha St), very friendly, good ale and biscuits for all dogs! Dog friendly beaches - Saunton Sands, Woolacombe, Westward Ho!. Have a good holiday.

28th July - 4th August. A wonderful holiday that was over much too quick. We wish we could take the river view with us. We recommend the beach at Widemouth Bay (we know its in Cornwall!) but the girls loved it.

2nd - 9th June. Enjoyed the house and view. Would recommend "Tea on the Green" at Westward Ho! for cream teas and sandwiches (huge portions!) & good service. Lovely walk from Bideford to Instow along Tarka Trail. Would love to return soon.

26th May - 2nd June. Thanks for another lovely stay. Exmoor Zoo is lovely -its very much like a sanctuary rather than a zoo. New by-pass at Barnstaple takes alot off journeys to Croyde etc.

5th - 12 May. We enjoyed our stay in this lovely holiday home, set in a beautiful area - even though the weather wasn't too kind. Our do's, as elderly as we, loved the Tarka Trail - both directions, and the coast walk. We would recommend "The Bar" at Instow - great food and atmosphere.

2006 Season

9th - 16th September 2006. We had a great time. Couldn’t ask for anything better. House and all in it was perfect. Forget your car, use the public transport. We’ve been to all the main places, all by bus. Mr Chips is good for take-away fish & chips. White Hart good for pub food & drinks. The Spice is excellent in every way. Quigleys has good beer but food is not up to the standard expected. Would recommend Bideford and this Cottage to friends and family. Thank You.

2nd - 9th September 2006. We had a brilliant time, the house is perfect with wonderful views. Enjoyed a lovely meal at The Spice in Bideford on our last night.

19th - 26th August 2006. Clovelly village very picturesque, steep hill down (and especially back up) although there is a very nice pub halfway up. ‘Beach’ is rocky rather than sandy. Instow beach is very nice & sandy and the Wayfarers pub nearby serves lovely food. Croyde Bay nice, busy, lost of surfing. Barnstaple – traffic a problem, avoid if you can [Editor: New bridge opening soon to provide a bypass]. Recommend a bike ride along the Tarka trail, bike hire in Bideford other side of old bridge. Live music jam night Tuesdays in Bideford. Crabby Dicks in Bideford to watch footy. We had a great time, would come again. Thanks.

12th - 19th August 2006. A very enjoyable visit, house very nice, unfortunately weather not good enough for beaches but some nice places to visit. Exmoor Zoo definitely worth a visit, also Diggerland for the kids. Enjoyed Lynmouth too. Riding at Kingsland stables near Woolsey was very good.

[Editor: Later telephone Message] We’ve just spent a week at Riverview in Bideford. I’m just phoning to say how much we enjoyed the cottage, how well appointed it was, everything was thought off. Believe me, we have stayed at some places where we had to clean before we could even go in, it was spotlessly clean and we were very impressed and are quite sure that we will recommend you to anyone.

5th - 12 August 2006. Clovelly village well worth a visit, quaint and pretty. Hartland lighthouse and Hartland quay ditto, beach at the quay has sand and rock pools, only £1.50 to park, kids loved it. Food and service good at White Hart pub in Bideford. House comfortable and clean, love the views of the river. House has everything you would need from home appliance wise – well thought out.

Well thought out accommodation and great tourist information, very helpful! Nice little touches like that have helped to make it a home from home. Many Thanks.

28th July - 5th August 2006. Saunton Sands beach really good for children, very sandy near Braunton & Croyde Bay. £5 parking all day and toilets and shop/café close by. Killarney Springs theme park, don’t bother - not much there, half the things advertised were not working or didn’t exist, kids disappointed. House lovely, views overlooking the river great, very comfortable and clean!

22nd - 29th July 2006. Instow beach is nice for a local beach, as is Appledore. Free parking on road for 2 hours but car park is only £2 for the day. Some locals say road parking is never checked but we didn’t like to try it. [Editor: It most certainly is checked!] Croyde beach is manned by lifeguards - £5 car park all day. Good amenities for food and drinks and beach shop. Surfing lessons very popular. Watch the surfing at Westward Ho! in the early evening. Plenty of eating places here. “The Burrows” beach (just past Appledore) is very large and popular (visit the wildlife hut at the end of the car park, it has loo’s!) This is all good if you want to stay local.