Activities Devon, UK
Mill Tour - John Arbon Textiles
Together, we will visit the renowned British woollen mill, John Arbon Textiles! Founded in 2001, John Arbon Textiles is known for its high-quality worsted spun yarns and unique colour blends. The mill combines tradition with sustainability, sourcing fibres locally whenever possible instead of using cheap overseas fleeces. They spin these fibres on vintage machinery to create beautiful tops and yarns.
John Arbon yarns have long been a favourite of ours, and they also produce Marie Wallin’s British Breeds yarn range. One thing that makes their colours so special is their method of dyeing the fleece before blending the base colours to create beautiful, heathered shades. On our tour, we’ll learn about every step of this process and get a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at how these beloved yarns are made!
Developing Yarns & Colour Palettes - John Arbon Textiles
Quince Honey Bee Farm
Welcome to Nectar Gardens, the family-run honey farm in South Molton, cared for by three generations of beekeepers since 1949. This is a true haven for bees and nature lovers alike. We will enjoy a tour of the honey factory with plenty of honey tasting, learn about beeswax, and see a live beekeeping demonstration, including learning about bee biology and solitary bees. We’ll also hear the story of the 76-year-old farm and discover how they work alongside the Exmoor National Park and local community to protect pollinators.
Our lunch will be onsite and we’ll have the opportunity to wander through the hexagonal gardens, alive with thousands of bee-friendly plants.
The Dartmoor Hawking - Falconry Experience
We’re thrilled to include a private three-hour falconry experience with the Dartmoor Hawking. This special afternoon offers a truly hands-on introduction to birds of prey and the art of falconry, giving you a fascinating insight into their world, how they think, live, and connect with us.
You’ll spend the afternoon up close with owls, falcons, hawks, and eagles, learning about their behaviour and flying them yourself. It’s a rare chance to work with a variety of birds at different stages of training and to understand how they live both in the wild and alongside humans. From the gentle Barn Owl to the impressive white-tailed sea eagles, it’s an unforgettable experience for all.
Watch our interview with John Arbon Textiles!
Independent activity suggestions
Here are just a few activities you and your partner can explore in the area. We also encourage non-knitting partners to team up for some fun outings while we knitters hone our skills in the workshops.
*Please note that these additional activity suggestions are not included in the retreat package and must be booked privately.
- Play Golf! Bovey Castle’s 18 hole championship golf course is both challenging and beautiful.
- Join up with other non-knitters for a tour of Dartmoor National Park. Dartmoor is full of interesting archaeological sites! Ponies, sheep and cattle roam free across the moors.
- Learn to make cider and sloe gin.
- Fly-Fishing
- Archery
- Air Rifle shooting
- Enjoy Bovey Castle’s Spa & Wellness area
- Check out other activities at Bovey Castle here.