Alice's Guidebook
Local beaches
North Devon is spoilt with fantastic sandy beaches, rocky coves and coastal walks linking them together. Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe are the best for surfing, standing up paddle boarding and playing in the sand. Try wild swimming at Rockham, Lee Bay and little-known Grunters (tucked away next to Mortepoint). Visit Combe Martin if you enjoy kayaking.
Fantastic surfing beach - some say the best in UK. Park at the Downend carpark (7 minutes drive from property) and walk down the little path to the beach to avoid the busyness of the main village.
83 locals recommend
Croyde Beach
Fantastic surfing beach - some say the best in UK. Park at the Downend carpark (7 minutes drive from property) and walk down the little path to the beach to avoid the busyness of the main village.
Saunton Beach
Huge sandy beach, great for families and surfing. Great Cafe too.
Putsborough Beach
Vention LaneSuper family-friendly beach and cafe overlooking the sea.
Huge sandy beach, great for families and surfing. Lots of fantastic cafes and shops.
177 locals recommend
Woolacombe Beach
Huge sandy beach, great for families and surfing. Lots of fantastic cafes and shops.
Rockham Beach
Secluded pebbly beach along coastal path from Woolacombe to Ilfracombe.
Cute grey sand beach and rock pools. Walk along the smuggler’s path through and under natural rock features.
28 locals recommend
Lee Bay
Cute grey sand beach and rock pools. Walk along the smuggler’s path through and under natural rock features.
Beautiful shelly cove near Woolacombe. Great beach cafe - in the evening try their award winning Sri Lankan curry. Take a bottle of wine and watch the sunset.
74 locals recommend
Barricane Beach
Beautiful shelly cove near Woolacombe. Great beach cafe - in the evening try their award winning Sri Lankan curry. Take a bottle of wine and watch the sunset.
Golden sand beach revealed at low tide. Explore around the rock formations and pools. Less crowded than Woolacombe main beach, great for surfing on the incoming tide.
10 locals recommend
Combesgate Beach
Golden sand beach revealed at low tide. Explore around the rock formations and pools. Less crowded than Woolacombe main beach, great for surfing on the incoming tide.
Food scene
There are great places to eat from award winning fish and chips, lively bar-restaurants and cafes in the village, just 2 minutes stroll from the property. Croyde has very popular family restaurants, whilst Instow offers superb seafood with amazing views. Try a Sri Lankan curry watching the sunset on Barricane beach.
Super little sandy cove near Woolacombe. Delicious Sri Lankan curries are served in the evenings that you can eat on the beach watching the sunset. If you’re lucky, you may find a pink cowrie shell.
74 locals recommend
Barricane Beach
Super little sandy cove near Woolacombe. Delicious Sri Lankan curries are served in the evenings that you can eat on the beach watching the sunset. If you’re lucky, you may find a pink cowrie shell.
Bustling restaurant and bar 1 minute walk from property. Good value food, great atmosphere, live bands.
34 locals recommend
SQ Bar and Restaurant
3 Exeter RdBustling restaurant and bar 1 minute walk from property. Good value food, great atmosphere, live bands.
In our opinion, the best fish and chips in Devon, 2 minutes stroll from the property.
75 locals recommend
Squires
1 Exeter RdIn our opinion, the best fish and chips in Devon, 2 minutes stroll from the property.
Attractive thatched restaurant and bar. Very popular, especially for their roast dinner carvery.
23 locals recommend
Williams Arms
Attractive thatched restaurant and bar. Very popular, especially for their roast dinner carvery.
Great family-friendly restaurant in Croyde. Has a playground in the beer garden.
24 locals recommend
Billy Budds
12 Hobb's HillGreat family-friendly restaurant in Croyde. Has a playground in the beer garden.
The Thatch
14 Hobb's HillPopular restaurant/bar in Croyde.
The Siam Bistro
4 Caen StSuper Thai restaurant, just a few minutes walk from the property.
Excellent cafe in converted train station along the Tarka Trail cycle path. Bicycle hire available.
37 locals recommend
Fremington Quay
Excellent cafe in converted train station along the Tarka Trail cycle path. Bicycle hire available.
Amazing sea food restaurant with incredible views out to sea and Lundy island. Watch the sunset relaxing in the first floor balcony bar.
64 locals recommend
The Boathouse, Instow
Marine ParadeAmazing sea food restaurant with incredible views out to sea and Lundy island. Watch the sunset relaxing in the first floor balcony bar.
Instow Arms
Marine ParadeGreat food, great views.
The Red Barn
Barton RoadVery popular restaurant in Woolacombe with a surfing theme.
Cool cafe with great breakfasts and healthy juices.
20 locals recommend
Wild Thyme Cafe - Event & Hog Roast Catering
Caen FieldCool cafe with great breakfasts and healthy juices.
Great family friendly pub restaurant in Croyde with children’s play area.
27 locals recommend
The Manor House Inn
39 St Mary's RdGreat family friendly pub restaurant in Croyde with children’s play area.
Great cafe serving delicious food overlooking Saunton sands beach. Sit on the balcony and enjoy the view.
19 locals recommend
Beachside Grill
Great cafe serving delicious food overlooking Saunton sands beach. Sit on the balcony and enjoy the view.
Blue Groove
2 Hobb's HillFunky cafe in Croyde.
Roots Braunton
1 Exeter RdIf you fancy a quick lunch then Roots serves Middle Eastern food which is delicious.
This is our nearest cafe and it has developed into a lovely little restaurant too. it has a lovely menu and does a fabulous cream tea and freshly made croissants. if the sun is shining you can escape to the back courtyard garden.
The Worx
8 The SquareThis is our nearest cafe and it has developed into a lovely little restaurant too. it has a lovely menu and does a fabulous cream tea and freshly made croissants. if the sun is shining you can escape to the back courtyard garden.
Biffen's Kitchen | Street Food Van
Moor LaneWonderful street food near Croyde beach
Sightseeing
There’s lots to do if you want a break from the beach. Very popular are the headland walks of Baggy and Morte Point along the coastal footpath. If you keep a lookout you might spot seals or porpoises. The Braunton Burrows is the largest sand dune habitat in the UK and a UNESCO Designated Biosphere. Visit the picturesque traditional Devon villages of Instow, Clovelly and Lynmouth; or the Victorian harbour town of Ilfracombe. Take a boat trip out to Lundy Island, it’s spectacular.
Cycle path passing through Braunton along the estuary to Barnstaple, Instow, Bideford and beyond... Great cafes and views along the way. Bikes can be hired in Braunton, Barnstaple and Fremington Quay.
67 locals recommend
Tarka Trail
Cycle path passing through Braunton along the estuary to Barnstaple, Instow, Bideford and beyond... Great cafes and views along the way. Bikes can be hired in Braunton, Barnstaple and Fremington Quay.
Picturesque Devon village along the estuary. Amazing views of Appledore and out to Lundy Island. Amazing seafood restaurants.
88 locals recommend
Instow
Picturesque Devon village along the estuary. Amazing views of Appledore and out to Lundy Island. Amazing seafood restaurants.
National Trust headland. Great coastal walks with breath-taking views over Croyde and Putsborough/Woolacombe. Popular for coasteering and rock climbing.
51 locals recommend
National Trust - Baggy Point
Moor LaneNational Trust headland. Great coastal walks with breath-taking views over Croyde and Putsborough/Woolacombe. Popular for coasteering and rock climbing.
Brilliant coastal walk around the headland. Look out for seals on the Northern side.
26 locals recommend
Morte Point
South West Coast PathBrilliant coastal walk around the headland. Look out for seals on the Northern side.
Victorian seaside town. Great restaurants, picturesque working harbour. Take a fishing trip or wildlife boating excursion along the coast. View the controversial statue ‘Verity’.
95 locals recommend
Ilfracombe Harbour
10A The QuayVictorian seaside town. Great restaurants, picturesque working harbour. Take a fishing trip or wildlife boating excursion along the coast. View the controversial statue ‘Verity’.
Take a boat trip from Ilfracombe to Lundy island, a nature reserve with seals and seabirds.
72 locals recommend
Lundy
Take a boat trip from Ilfracombe to Lundy island, a nature reserve with seals and seabirds.
Beautiful village by the sea and Exmoor. Great for walking. Visit the museum to find out more about the flooding disaster. Check out the Victorian water powered cliff railway built in 1888.
51 locals recommend
Lynmouth
Beautiful village by the sea and Exmoor. Great for walking. Visit the museum to find out more about the flooding disaster. Check out the Victorian water powered cliff railway built in 1888.
Stunning valley running parallel to the sea. Magnificent views over to Wales. Spot the wild mountain goats and Exmoor ponies.
115 locals recommend
Valley of Rocks
South West Coast PathStunning valley running parallel to the sea. Magnificent views over to Wales. Spot the wild mountain goats and Exmoor ponies.
Traditional fishing village by the sea. No cars in the village - residents use sledges to transport groceries. Amazing views and excellent seafood.
277 locals recommend
Clovelly
Traditional fishing village by the sea. No cars in the village - residents use sledges to transport groceries. Amazing views and excellent seafood.
Where the moor meets the sea. Exmoor is beautiful with traditional Devon villages, pubs, ponies and amazing walks.
69 locals recommend
Exmoor
Where the moor meets the sea. Exmoor is beautiful with traditional Devon villages, pubs, ponies and amazing walks.
UNESCO Designated Biosphere reserve. Largest sand dune systems in UK. Amazing views over the sea and estuary. 5 minutes drive to car park.
61 locals recommend
Braunton Burrows
UNESCO Designated Biosphere reserve. Largest sand dune systems in UK. Amazing views over the sea and estuary. 5 minutes drive to car park.
Heddon's Mouth
Dramatic valley on the edge of Exmoor with spectacular views.
Spectacular views across to Wales along coastal path. Visit the little steam railway.
8 locals recommend
Woody Bay
Spectacular views across to Wales along coastal path. Visit the little steam railway.
Incredible coastal walking with dramatic cliffs plunging into wild seas. Keep walking west to the waterfall.
109 locals recommend
Hartland Quay
Incredible coastal walking with dramatic cliffs plunging into wild seas. Keep walking west to the waterfall.
Hele Bay
Attractive rocky bay near Ilfracombe.
Dramatic dunes meet the twin estuaries for the Taw and Torridge rivers. Amazing views of Appledore, Instow and out to Lundy island.
43 locals recommend
Crow Point
Dramatic dunes meet the twin estuaries for the Taw and Torridge rivers. Amazing views of Appledore, Instow and out to Lundy island.
Traditional fishing and boatbuilding village, situated at the mouth of the twin estuary. Visit the busy working RNLI Lifeboat station.
147 locals recommend
Appledore
Traditional fishing and boatbuilding village, situated at the mouth of the twin estuary. Visit the busy working RNLI Lifeboat station.
Family attractions
There’s lots to do whatever the weather. There are range of family friendly theme parks and attractions, indoor soft play and adventure playgrounds. Visit National Trust properties and RHS Gardens. If you fancy a more active outdoor adventure there’s a huge selection from surfing, kayaking, cycling, climbing, fishing and riding on the doorstep.
Fun for all the family. Small theme park with rides, indoor adventure centre, archery and Merlin’s show (he was on Britain’s got talent)
148 locals recommend
The Milky Way Adventure Park
Fun for all the family. Small theme park with rides, indoor adventure centre, archery and Merlin’s show (he was on Britain’s got talent)
Watermouth Castle
Theme park for younger children.
Engaging mix of zoo, rides and dinosaur themed attractions.
94 locals recommend
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Engaging mix of zoo, rides and dinosaur themed attractions.
Exmoor Zoo
Great zoo, very popular with families and children.
The Big Sheep.
Abbotsham RoadTheme park with soft indoor adventure playground.
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Enchanting 65 acre gardens.
Arlington Court
National Trust stately home and grounds.
Roylands Riding Stables
Moor LaneHorse and pony riding on beach and coastal bridleways.
Woolacombe riding stables
Beach RoadHorse and pony riding centre.
Surf Saunton
Popular surf lesson.
Nick Thorn Surf Coaching
Popular surf lessons
Woolacombe Surf Centre
Barton RoadPopular surf lessons
Otter Cycle Hire
Hire bicycles to explore the Tarka Trail.
The Ilfracombe Aquarium
The QuaySmall, but fun aquarium