North Devon is a wonderful place to live or visit, with so many interesting beautiful places to see and things to do!
Braunton
One of the busiest villages in Devon potentially due to its prime location between North Devon’s flagship town of Barnstaple and the sandy, surfer haven beaches of Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe. Braunton offers a good range of local shops, cafes and restaurants. For more adventures you could even head up to Ilfracombe (8 miles) to see the aquarium and impressive Damien Hirst statue, Combe Martin (13 miles) for the family-friendly dinosaur park, or to Exmoor (15 miles) to walk the beautiful moorland and visit popular Exmoor Zoo. However, with so many things to do locally, there’s little reason to venture far.
Beaches
North Devon’s beaches are particularly breathtaking. Saunton (2.5 miles), Croyde (5 miles) and Woolacombe (7 miles) are the closest beaches and all offer something slightly different. Saunton is backed by sand dunes and has the fantastic Beachside Grill restaurant, Croyde is surfer-central in North Devon and Woolacombe is a well-catered for seaside spot from which you can walk to Morte Point, once notoriously used by wreckers but now a National Trust gem. Perhaps the best-known local beach is Westward Ho! (16 miles) that draws holidaymakers from all over and is a classic British holiday spot with arcades, go-karts, dining options, ice cream in the summer, fish and chips, rocks for rock pooling, a couple of independent shops, kids play park, and friendly ponies to meet the other end of the beach at Braunton Burrows Reserve. On a trip here you must walk to Crow Point, an iconic local landmark of the Burrows.
Surfing
A Mecca for surfers, North Devon’s long beaches and high winds draw water sports enthusiasts from all over the UK who enjoy catching the massive waves that crash along this unique coastline. Croyde is renowned for fantastic waves and is especially good at low tide, but be warned, board breakers occur, and the waves can be fast so it’s great for experienced surfers. Meanwhile, both beginners and pros will find Woolacombe a great choice for a few hours on the water. Nearby is another good choice, and locally known for its arcades, restaurants and fish and chips, so makes the perfect full day out for those looking for a mix of beach activities. There are plenty of surfing schools dotted along this coastline if you’re looking for a new experience during your holiday. If you want to discover more about surfing and why it is so popular in this area, be sure to pay a visit to The Museum of British Surfing (100 yards away from our beer garden) it is a national registered charity responsible for looking after Britain’s rich surfing heritage that dates back more than two centuries.
The Tarka Trail
The Tarka Trail is perfect for cyclists and walkers alike and is only 100 yards away from our beer garden! Named after the world-famous story by Henry Williamson of Tarka the Otter, is a 180-mile walking and cycling route and a great way for adventurers to investigate the area. It’s a figure of eight so you could choose to only follow the coastal track or country one. The trail runs past great visitor attractions like Crow Point, Valley of the Rocks and Haldon Nature Reserve, and through popular towns that include Bideford, Okehampton, Torrington, Barnstaple and, of course, Braunton.