Places to explore and eat in North Devon
City/town information
One of the UK’s oldest boroughs as well as being one of the largest towns in North Devon. It is home to a number of the well-known historic markets.
103 locals recommend
Barnstaple
One of the UK’s oldest boroughs as well as being one of the largest towns in North Devon. It is home to a number of the well-known historic markets.
Situated on the estuary where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet, beach walks & opposite Appledore.
88 locals recommend
Instow
Situated on the estuary where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet, beach walks & opposite Appledore.
Historic fishing village with winding narrow streets and colourful houses, full of maritime history.
147 locals recommend
Appledore
Historic fishing village with winding narrow streets and colourful houses, full of maritime history.
Beaches/Sightseeing/Walks
Northam Burrows Country Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is about 253 hectares of grassy coastal plain with salt marsh, sand dunes and generally unimproved grasslands.
The Burrows provides one of the access points for the two miles of Westward Ho! Beach, thus combining the best of opportunities for land and marine leisure activities. The main ramped access point to the beach is available from the town of Westward Ho!
Great place to watch the sunset
58 locals recommend
Northam Burrows Country Park
Sandymere RoadNortham Burrows Country Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is about 253 hectares of grassy coastal plain with salt marsh, sand dunes and generally unimproved grasslands.
The Burrows provides one of the access points for the two miles of Westward Ho! Beach, thus combining the best of opportunities for land and marine leisure activities. The main ramped access point to the beach is available from the town of Westward Ho!
Great place to watch the sunset
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Great to enjoy any time of year with ever changing scenery.
Dartington Crystal Ltd
Linden CloseHandcrafted crystal glassware and homeware
365 acres criss-crossed by paths and linking with the Tarka Trail and the town of Great Torrington. In the summer you can get ice-cream from Hockings ice cream which is a family business since 1936. There is a food van which is very popular.
7 locals recommend
Torrington Commons
South Street365 acres criss-crossed by paths and linking with the Tarka Trail and the town of Great Torrington. In the summer you can get ice-cream from Hockings ice cream which is a family business since 1936. There is a food van which is very popular.
Situated between South Molton and Barnstaple in the village of Filleigh. Castle Hill offers 50 acres of historic parkland set against the breath-taking 18th century Palladian house. Castle Hill house and gardens are steeped in history and have for centuries been a home to the Fortescue family. The current custodians are the 17th generation of the family to live in the house.
22 locals recommend
Castle Hill
Situated between South Molton and Barnstaple in the village of Filleigh. Castle Hill offers 50 acres of historic parkland set against the breath-taking 18th century Palladian house. Castle Hill house and gardens are steeped in history and have for centuries been a home to the Fortescue family. The current custodians are the 17th generation of the family to live in the house.
A beautiful harbour village, steep pedestrianised cobbled main street, traditional architecture and views over the Bristol Channel.
277 locals recommend
Clovelly
A beautiful harbour village, steep pedestrianised cobbled main street, traditional architecture and views over the Bristol Channel.
Boasts a fascinating historic family home (a former Augustinian monastery), whilst the award-winning gardens at Docton Mill offer a journey through several lovingly restored landscapes.
65 locals recommend
Hartland Abbey
Boasts a fascinating historic family home (a former Augustinian monastery), whilst the award-winning gardens at Docton Mill offer a journey through several lovingly restored landscapes.
Barnstaple EX31 4EA - stunning private garden featuring 20-acres of tended landscape, numerous lakes & a quaint tea room.
31 locals recommend
Marwood Hill Gardens
Barnstaple EX31 4EA - stunning private garden featuring 20-acres of tended landscape, numerous lakes & a quaint tea room.
Artisan stalls with selection of cheese, gin, candles, cushions and more
12 locals recommend
South Molton Pannier Market
Broad StreetArtisan stalls with selection of cheese, gin, candles, cushions and more
Artisan shops, antiques, crafts, cafes. More stalls and music on the weekend.
Great Torríngton Panníer Market
14 South StArtisan shops, antiques, crafts, cafes. More stalls and music on the weekend.
Sits high on a hill overlooking the River Torridge and North Devon Coastline. Home of the Christie family for two centuries.
14 locals recommend
Tapely Park
Sits high on a hill overlooking the River Torridge and North Devon Coastline. Home of the Christie family for two centuries.
England’s largest sand dune system (a real treat for wildlife enthusiasts) and one of only two surviving examples of medieval open strip farming systems in the country.
61 locals recommend
Braunton Burrows
England’s largest sand dune system (a real treat for wildlife enthusiasts) and one of only two surviving examples of medieval open strip farming systems in the country.
Bude
13 Lansdown RdPicturesque coastal walks, beaches and surfing.
Surfing beaches, nature trails and walks. One of the most popular walking trails in the village is the National Trust’s Baggy Point, excellent coastal walking and breath-taking views as well as being generally accessible for walkers of all ages and abilities.
60 locals recommend
Croyde
Surfing beaches, nature trails and walks. One of the most popular walking trails in the village is the National Trust’s Baggy Point, excellent coastal walking and breath-taking views as well as being generally accessible for walkers of all ages and abilities.
Rocky headlands, high coastal cliffs, soft green valleys, wooded hills and fresh cold rivers and streams all abound in a relatively small area and are waiting to be discovered.
69 locals recommend
Exmoor
Rocky headlands, high coastal cliffs, soft green valleys, wooded hills and fresh cold rivers and streams all abound in a relatively small area and are waiting to be discovered.
clifftop walks, secluded beaches and marine wildlife, offering ample opportunities to be at one with nature and enjoy this beautiful and diverse landscape.
Hartland Peninsula
Yapham Cottagesclifftop walks, secluded beaches and marine wildlife, offering ample opportunities to be at one with nature and enjoy this beautiful and diverse landscape.
The beach area is perfect for building sandcastles, flying kites or just relaxing. You can even try crabbing from the quay at high tide.
111 locals recommend
Instow Arms
Marine ParadeThe beach area is perfect for building sandcastles, flying kites or just relaxing. You can even try crabbing from the quay at high tide.
The ancient twinned towns of Lynton and Lynmouth sit on the most northerly coast of Devon, where Exmoor meets the sea. The towns are set between steep hillsides and deep wooded valleys, separated by a dramatic descent; the pretty village of Lynmouth sits at sea level, following the River Lyn down to the sea, whilst Lynton sits higher in the trees, full of quaint narrow lanes and independent shops to explore. Known as ‘Little Switzerland’. Walkers paradise, Watersmeet Circuit or Valley of the Rocks. Victorian era cliff railway link that offers an exciting and unique way of travelling between the two towns. The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is powered solely by water and no visit to the towns would be complete without a trip!
97 locals recommend
Lynton and Lynmouth
The ancient twinned towns of Lynton and Lynmouth sit on the most northerly coast of Devon, where Exmoor meets the sea. The towns are set between steep hillsides and deep wooded valleys, separated by a dramatic descent; the pretty village of Lynmouth sits at sea level, following the River Lyn down to the sea, whilst Lynton sits higher in the trees, full of quaint narrow lanes and independent shops to explore. Known as ‘Little Switzerland’. Walkers paradise, Watersmeet Circuit or Valley of the Rocks. Victorian era cliff railway link that offers an exciting and unique way of travelling between the two towns. The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is powered solely by water and no visit to the towns would be complete without a trip!
Family beach, wide open space, toilet and shower facilities, dog-friendly access - renowned for some of the best surf in the country. Saunton Sands also has access to a Landeez all-terrain wheelchair, allowing everyone to enjoy the beach.
195 locals recommend
Saunton Sands
Family beach, wide open space, toilet and shower facilities, dog-friendly access - renowned for some of the best surf in the country. Saunton Sands also has access to a Landeez all-terrain wheelchair, allowing everyone to enjoy the beach.
The Tarka Trail is one of the country's longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths and is ideal for families or less experienced cyclists. The Tarka Trail makes use of disused railway tracks to take you into the beautiful North Devon countryside.
join at The Puffing Billy and walk to Barnstaple or other way to Meeth.
The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure of eight walking and cycling trail that follows the route travelled by Tarka the Otter in the famous novel by Henry Williamson. The Tarka Trail will take you through ancient villages, wooded valleys, along the banks of rivers, high over moorland with spectacular views of Dartmoor and Exmoor and along dramatic sea cliffs and vast expanses of beautiful beaches. www.tarkatrail.org.uk
63 locals recommend
Tarka Trail
The Tarka Trail is one of the country's longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths and is ideal for families or less experienced cyclists. The Tarka Trail makes use of disused railway tracks to take you into the beautiful North Devon countryside.
join at The Puffing Billy and walk to Barnstaple or other way to Meeth.
The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure of eight walking and cycling trail that follows the route travelled by Tarka the Otter in the famous novel by Henry Williamson. The Tarka Trail will take you through ancient villages, wooded valleys, along the banks of rivers, high over moorland with spectacular views of Dartmoor and Exmoor and along dramatic sea cliffs and vast expanses of beautiful beaches. www.tarkatrail.org.uk
Only UK village with an exclamation mark in its name. A large expanse of sand with pebbles, grasslands and a diverse beachscape.
172 locals recommend
Westward Ho!
Only UK village with an exclamation mark in its name. A large expanse of sand with pebbles, grasslands and a diverse beachscape.
Stretching over three miles, the golden sand of Woolacombe, found between the headlands of Baggy Point and Morte Point, backed by sand dunes and with views across the ocean to Lundy Island. Having won both the Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities, the resort is popular with locals and visitors alike, not least for its dog-friendly approach. Horse riding available too.
There are three smaller beaches Barricaine Beach (great curry to be enjoyed as the sunsets), Combesgate Beach and Grunta, which are all perfect for rockpooling, surfing, swimming.
177 locals recommend
Woolacombe Beach
Stretching over three miles, the golden sand of Woolacombe, found between the headlands of Baggy Point and Morte Point, backed by sand dunes and with views across the ocean to Lundy Island. Having won both the Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities, the resort is popular with locals and visitors alike, not least for its dog-friendly approach. Horse riding available too.
There are three smaller beaches Barricaine Beach (great curry to be enjoyed as the sunsets), Combesgate Beach and Grunta, which are all perfect for rockpooling, surfing, swimming.
St. Nectan's Glen
Fore StreetBeautiful woodland walk up to waterfall. Great cafe.
Food scene
Walk along beach, swim, learn to surf or dine out in the many restaurants
172 locals recommend
Westward Ho!
Walk along beach, swim, learn to surf or dine out in the many restaurants
Fabulous food at any time. Or pick up a coffee to enjoy on your walk or after.
25 locals recommend
Puffing Billy Trading Co.
Fabulous food at any time. Or pick up a coffee to enjoy on your walk or after.
Nearest local pub with great food, well kept beer and large garden and plenty of parking
14 locals recommend
The Bell Inn
1 Tower StNearest local pub with great food, well kept beer and large garden and plenty of parking
Globe Inn
Great food, excellent ale, craft beer and locally sourced food.
The Torrington Arms
170 New StreetUnder new management, excellent roasts.
Rosemoor RHS Gardens station
Pick up some plants or enjoy the cafe and the views.
Torridge Inn
136 Mill StGreat Thai food
The Royal George
Irsha StreetFlame Factory
9 The QuayThe Beaver Inn
85 Irsha StNumber Eight
49 Allhalland StLe Petit Monde
4 Cooper StBelluno Bideford
84 Silver StThe Boathouse, Instow
Marine ParadeMemories Restaurant
8 Fore StSightseeing
Lying 12 miles off the coast of North Devon, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel, this peaceful, unspoilt granite outcrop stands just three miles long and half a mile wide. With a starkly contrasting landscape, asserting high rugged cliffs on the west and a sheltered grassy coastline to the east, the Island creates a rich diversity of animal and plant life loved by walkers, climbers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. It is the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone and the waters play host to a spectacular array of marine wildlife. Ferries can be taken from Bideford or Ilfracombe.
72 locals recommend
Lundy
Lying 12 miles off the coast of North Devon, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel, this peaceful, unspoilt granite outcrop stands just three miles long and half a mile wide. With a starkly contrasting landscape, asserting high rugged cliffs on the west and a sheltered grassy coastline to the east, the Island creates a rich diversity of animal and plant life loved by walkers, climbers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. It is the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone and the waters play host to a spectacular array of marine wildlife. Ferries can be taken from Bideford or Ilfracombe.
Torrington Cycle Hire
1 Station HillGreat place to rent your bike to explore the Tarka Trail
Activities
Surf SUP Academy - Westward Ho! North Devon
Paddleboard hire and lessons
Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre
Kayaking/Canoeing etc
Great Torrington Golf Club
Closest golf course
Holsworthy Golf Club
Golfing
Portmore Golf Park
Libbaton Golf Club
Royal North Devon Golf Club
Golf Links RoadSaunton Golf Club
Ivyleaf Golf Course and Driving Range
Melbury Reservoir
Fishing
Gammaton Reservoir
Fishing
Darracott
DarracottFishing
Coastal Adventures | Coasteering and SUP | North Devon