Planning your summer mountain bike holiday yet? Maybe you’re looking at the French Alps, or perhaps you’re looking for something a little closer to home, or maybe a weekend away in Devon is on your radar. 

If so, then you’ll be interested to know that a pub in Tavistock, Devon has just completed work on state-of-the-art bunkhouses designed with mountain bikers in mind, ideal as a base for several days cycling around Dartmoor and the surrounding area.

The Union Inn in Tavistock has invested more than £100,000 to create the new, self-contained accommodation, which officially opens on 28 January 2011. In addition to the new bunkhouse, landlord Francis Jasper has also undertaken a total revamp to the pub itself to create what he hopes will become a ‘must-stay’ destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

With easy access to the popular Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Rout,e which stretches for more than 100 miles and includes the Tarka Trail, the Granite Way, and the Plym Valley Trail, as well as being very close to the Woodland Riders Gawton DH and Tavi Woodlands which will appeal to downhill riders,  it’s ideally placed for riders of all abilities and interests.

“In recent years there has been a massive increase in the popularity of outdoor sports and activities in this part of Devon,” said landlord Francis Jasper

“The Union is located right next to the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route and Tavistock is also a popular destination for walkers, canoeists and other outdoor sport enthusiasts due to its proximity to the Dartmoor National Park.

“There is a growing demand for high quality ‘bunkhouse-type’ accommodation in the area and we’re confident that the level of finish and the attention to detail will appeal to cyclists, mountain bikers, climbers, walkers and canoeists both from around the country and further afield.  We are already receiving bookings for Easter and hope that this is the start of a great season.

“The fact that it is also within a few metres of the pub should also prove a popular selling point!” he added.

The development includes three separate rooms, sleeping up to 20 people, a drying room, toilet and shower facilities, a secure cycle storage area and a ‘wash down’ area for cleaning muddy bikes, providing the perfect accommodation for the modern outdoor enthusiast.

Head over to www.tavistockbunkhouse.co.uk for more info or to make a booking.