Places of interest and activities

The Coach and Horses, Buckland Brewer has a really friendly landlord and is full of locals. Good food, cider, darts and pool.

Bideford Farmers' Market has great local produce. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month in summer, 9am-2pm on Bideford Quay.

Cycling, Tarka Trail. Once the old railway line, it is now a very peaceful track for cyclists and walkers. Running from Braunton to Meeth, near Dartmoor, it winds through a wide variety of habitats. Download audio guides to the trail here.

Kite surfing, land boarding & buggies are growing in popularity. In April, Westward Ho! hosted a kiting festival and British Kite Surfing Association competition. For lessons click here.

Bideford Pannier Market is a little disappointing (except the WI chutneys and cakes which are wonderful) but needs supporting. Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8am-3pm. Butchers Row shops open all week.

Lundy Island off the North Devon coast is a Site of Special Interest and its seas are England's only Marine Nature Reserve. Breathtaking and remote, walkers will love Lundy. If you’re lucky, you might see basking sharks, seals, puffins and guillemots. The MS Oldenburg sails from Bideford and Ilfracombe. Or Clovelly Charters run day trips too.

Banger racing events are held throughout the summer. The locations change and the dates aren’t announced until late, but look out for signs, it’s a really fun day out. For info click here.

The Eden Project

Saunton Sands, Braunton Burrows (sandy, surfing, kids). Mile upon mile of flat golden sand. You can hire boards on the beach at Saunton. For less crowds, head to the massive sand dunes of Braunton Burrows. The second largest dune system in the UK, Braunton Burrows is considered one of the most important in the northern hemisphere. 25-30 mins drive.

The Biosphere Reserve run volunteer activities throughout the year, including drystone walling, coppicing and flora/fauna surveying. To find out more, click here.

Sea Fishing is very good off the North Devon coast, with sea bass, ray, pollack and sole being common. Many fishermen offer trips and tuition, ranging from 2 hours to the whole day. As well as Lundy Charters & Clovelly Charters, try the 'Sanderling', in Appledore who run 2 hour family trips (bookings from the Quay Gift Shop 01237 475096) as do ‘The Cheeky Monkey’ (bookings from Lizzie’s in Appledore 01237 471033).

The South West Coast Path, Britain’s longest national trail, runs right along the North Devon Heritage Coast. These are the cliffs that inspired Daphne du Maurier and countless tales of wreckers. Cloaked in gorse, sea pinks and bracken, they look wild, but the path is very well maintained. Anywhere between Baggy Point near Croyde to Morwenstow in Cornwall is easily accessible from here (15-45 mins drive). Our favourite stretch is between Hartland Quay and Welcombe (good pubs at both ends too). Plan a walk to suit you here.

Instow (sandy, kids, very safe) sits just inside the Taw & Torridge estuary so it is sheltered from the Atlantic waves that pound the other beaches. Perfect for young children. 15 mins drive.

Welcombe Mouth (rugged, unspoilt) is just one of the outstanding natural beaches along the North Devon Heritage coast. Only sandy at low tide, but the rock pools, stepping stones and wonderful cliff walks make up for it. And a lovely pub at the top of the hill serving great food. 30 mins drive (on the Cornish border).

Westward Ho! & Northam Burrows (sandy, surfing, kids) is another stretch of golden sand, this one backed by a 2 mile pebble ridge. This beach has become popular with kite surfers and sand yachts. The Northam Burrows end is definitely the nicer. 15 mins drive.

Padstow

Clovelly Charters offers swimming with seals, wreck diving, sea fishing or day trips to Lundy Island

whilst Lundy Charters operating from Appledore offers sea fishing, wreck diving and Lundy trips too

The Duke of York, Iddesleigh (01837 810253). The very hospitable landlord, Jamie, farms his own beef, so you know the meat will be good. The steak and kidney pudding is to die for – you may need to share it though. CAMRA North Devon pub of the year 2008.