Places To Go
A good starting point is to look at the areas local website, but below are some highlights:
www.hartlandpeninsula.co.uk/see-and-do
Hartland Quay - The spectacular cliffs at Hartland Quay with their incredibly contorted rock layers are always worth a visit and at low tide there is plenty of sand, rock pools and rocks to scramble over (but be careful they are slippery). In wild weather it is the perfect place to appreciate the power of the sea and wind as the waves crash against the cliffs and shore it is truly one of the most outstanding views in the world. Perfect for a sundowners to watch the Sunset - even in the winter.
With access to the South West Coast Path both North and South from the Quay, it makes an ideal start/finish point for a wide variety of walks. The Wreckers Retreat Bar at Hartland Quay (Richard’s local boozer) offers fabulous local pub food and drink (including fish straight from the sea). Local beers from Devon and Cornwall and Teas and Coffees are available too!
On the way to the Quay is St Nectans Church at Stoke, a surprisingly huge building built by the Abbots from tolls imposed on wreckers coming back from the Quay. Worth dropping by.
The Hartland Quay Museum at Hartland Quay covers the history and legends of the quay, customs houses, shipwrecks and smuggling activity, actually very interesting and it is only a couple of quid to get in. (open Easter to October)
Hartland Abbey is open for visitors during the summer months and has beautiful gardens and a nice exhibition of filming that has taken place here in Hartland. An interesting tour of the house (afternoons only) is also included in the entrance fees.
It has a nice little cafe for snacks all locally made (01237 441496) www.hartlandabbey.com
Bude(Cornwall) - The town overlooks a wide bay of hard golden sand flanked by spectacular cliffs and protected by a breakwater. There is a seawater swimming pool under Summerleaze Downs which means safety for swimmers even at low tide. Bude's Sea pool is approximately 290 feet long by 140 feet wide with a walkway around the edge. Two excellent lifeguard patrolled beaches - Crooklets and Summerleaze - have extensive flat sands when the tide is out and are perfect for beach lovers of all ages. Surfing lessons for beginners at a number of surf schools
Bude also boasts the 'Bude Leisure Centre' which has a large heated indoor leisure pool with flume, wave machine, fitness centre and café. Also nearby 'The Venue” (www.thevenuebude.co.uk -01288 355366 ) offers ten pin bowling with ten lanes, a playzone, bar and snacks. Both The Venue and Bude Leisure centre are opposite Morrisons/Lidl Supermarkets. The Laser dome, trampolines, putting, floodlit tennis courts, mini-golf and go-karting are all close to the beach and all add to the family fun.
Bude has a good selection of local independent shops from wine merchants to butchers baking award winning pasties, department stores and jewelers. There is also a golf club that can be booked by non-members (very reasonable pricing and a great links course) and snacks in the club house -http://www.budegolf.co.uk/ Tel:01288 352006
The canal is home to The Barge, great for snacks, coffee and gorgeous cakes: seats inside or benches outside.
Bude Castle(https://www.thecastlebude.co.uk/ -01288 357300 ) is worth a visit for a little local history and a rather nice coffee shop.
Welcombe Mouth - This is a very secluded and quiet beach south of Harland. This hidden gem is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is surrounded by steep, rocky cliffs and coastal slopes. When the tide is low it reveals a small beach of golden sand with many rock pools to be found along the foreshore. Along with some interesting geology there is a picturesque waterfall. Accessed via a rough and narrow road it isn't the easiest beach to find and tends to be mostly popular with locals, surfers and ramblers. It is a fantastic location for coastal walking and exploring the wildlife, as the slopes are filled with plant and animal life, and the steep cliffs offer breathtaking views out over the inlet. Good food can be found nearby in Morwenstow (where GCHQ have a satellite station…) at;
The Rectory Farm Tea Rooms (http://www.rectory-tearooms.co.uk/ - 01288 331251)
A characterful 13th century building and charming family run tea room, serving fabulous cream tea (including gluten free), full afternoon tea, soups, pasties, cheeses etc
Seasonal opening times 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Circular walks 1 mile or 3 miles.
The Bush Inn (https://www.thebushinnmorwenstow.com/ - 01288 331242)
There is also the beautiful church at Morwenstow, believed to date back to Saxon times, and of course, Hawker's Hut, the refuge of poet Reverend Robert Hawker.
Clovelly - Set into a steep hillside, Clovelly is one of the best known and most unusual villages in North Devon. The cobbled high street winds its way down the hillside through traditional 16th century whitewashed cottages decked with fuchsias and geraniums. This street drops 400ft in the half mile down to the small harbour. Visitors have to park at the top of the hill next to the Heritage Centre as traffic is banned from the high street. There is a Land Rover service (does not operate during winter months) which ferry's visitors up and down via a back road, for those not wishing to negotiate the steep hill on foot. This service takes visitors as far as the Red Lion beside the harbour. At one time, donkeys were used to take visiting tourists down into the village, but these have now been retired. All deliveries for people living in Clovelly have to be taken down the hill by sledge. These sledges can be seen at the side of the cottages by anyone walking down through the village towards the harbour. This ban on traffic has preserved the atmosphere of the village. The lower part of the village has been saved from development by the Hamlyn family, the local landowners. There are no holiday cottages allowed in the main village and no concessions to the tourist industry. Consequently, the picture postcard village is still a living village, where fishermen still mend their nets on the quay. Although the village had been a settlement for many years before, it was George Cary, a 16th century lawyer, who established Clovelly as a viable community. Cary built the stone quay and thus established the only safe harbour between Boscastle in Cornwall and Appledore higher up the North Devon coast. The small harbour once sheltered up to sixty fishing boats but this has now dwindled to a handful of small boats due to the decline of the herring fishery.
Instow - Where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet before joining the sea, on the opposite bank to Appledore and between the villages of Westleigh and Yelland one can find the lovely village of Instow. Its estuary beach is perfect for families as sand bars protect it from the dangerous swells and it is a great place for the dogs to have a run - out of season 1st Oct to 30 April . The protection offered by the beach makes it a popular spot for windsurfing and kite surfing. The Tarka Trail winds its scenic way through lnstow, offering easy access to all the natural wonders, inspiring views and lookouts that surround the village. Rare orchids such as the pyramid orchid can be found amongst the nearby sand dunes. Staying closer to home one can choose between 3 pubs from which to admire the fantastic sunsets as the sun drops below Appledore on the opposite bank, casting its shadows on the large number of boats anchored on the sand.
There is a fabulous Delicatessen “Johns” which also offer snacks and coffees. There is some roadside parking but also a Pay and Display car park.
Westward Ho! - Westward Ho! is a picturesque coastal village whose name derives from the Victorian novel by Charles Kingsley, and is unique as the only place in Britain with an exclamation mark in its name! Renowned for its golden sandy beach and backed by a protective pebble ridge, Westward Ho! offers a great venue for surfing with a growing reputation for kite surfing as well. This family friendly beach boasts Blue Flag status for its water quality and lifeguard presence across the summer season. The town itself has everything you need for a great family holiday, with a range of food outlets catering for all taste a few great restaurants as well as and excellent local butchers (Heards) and a Co-Op store.
Dogs: A dog restriction operates in blue flag area of the beach south of Sandymere bridge from 1st May to 30th September, but dog walkers welcome on Northam Burrows (on a lead at certain times). See map in folder.
Wildlife - If wildlife is more your thing, visit the Northam Burrows Country Park and explore its diverse range of habitats (from saltmarsh to open grassland) or join one of the family events at the Northam Burrows Centre, including rock pool rambles and guided nature walks. The stretch of coast path from Westward Ho! offers wide views across Bideford Bay and features interesting geology along Abbotsham Cliffs. There is a nice pub in Abbotsham, The Thatched Inn; well worth a visit, a proper boozer with lovely food (https://www.thethatchedinn.com/)
Lundy Island
During the summer season, (end of March until the end of October), the Island’s own supply ship and ferry, the MS Oldenburg departs several times a week from either Bideford or Ilfracombe and you can do a day trip with a few hours on the island.
The Oldenburg is a graceful motor vessel of over 300 tons, built on traditional lines with interior wood paneling and brass fittings. She has comfortable saloons, bar, buffet, a shop and an information centre. On fine days there is plenty of space on deck and if you are lucky you may be treated to the company of a playful pod of dolphins who often delight in following the ship.
During the Winter season you can go by helicopter but you will need to stay overnight. Best to check on the Lundy Island website. (https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/
Appledore - Along the quaint, narrow streets of Appledore there are many fishermen's cottages, some of which date back to the Elizabethan era. Where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet, sits the delightful quayside village of Appledore, next to the River Torridge. Appledore boasts a small but great range of shops, pubs, guesthouses and art galleries. A thriving fishing and trading village since the 14th century, Appledore has been a famous boat-building centre for many years and the shipyard is still active today.
Picturesque Appledore provides a peaceful base from which to explore North Devon, and is close to surf beaches plus the ancient market towns of Bideford, Barnstaple and Great Torrington. There is a lovely Delicatessen “Johns” for wonderful local produce and coffee/snacks. We also recommend the Coffee Kabin for their warm welcome and fabulous home-made cakes.
Bideford - It's easy to see why Bideford is so popular with visitors and locals alike, as the narrow streets cascade from its historic pannier market towards the quayside in a jumble of antique shops, cafes and cosy pubs. Charles Kingsley's description of Bideford as "The Little White Town, which slopes upward from its broad river tide" paints a picturesque one hundred & fifty year old image of the town that has not changed much to the present day. However, Bideford is now definitely in the 21st century with its new Torridge Bridge, its recently enhanced quay area, excellent shopping, and a variety of restaurants. Then there are the theme parks like The Big Sheep & The Milky Way and so much more, which adds up to make Bideford a great place to stay in or visit. You could pay a visit to the Affinity Outlet Devon (used to be known as Atlantic Village Shopping Outlet where you can purchase the latest designer clothing, sportswear, household goods and much more.
If you are feeling energetic, you could take a cycle ride or a walk on the Tarka Trail and stop for a spot of lunch and a beer at one of the many traditional pubs along the route, often supplied by acclaimed micro-breweries in the local area. You can hire bikes (http://www.biketrail.co.uk) and cycle the Tarka trail to Instow/Fremington in one direction and Torrington in the other (Where you could stop for refreshments at Puffing Billy in the old railway station - http://www.puffingbilly.co.uk
Take a trip to Lundy Island on the MS Oldenburg, the ferry that regularly makes the 14-mile journey to the island and back. This will enable you to see Bideford, Lundy and the surrounding area from a very different perspective.
Sandymouth (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandymouth)
Situated between Harland and Bude (just past Kilkhampton), as the name suggests this large sandy well-sheltered National Trust beach is popular with swimmers and surfers alike. At low tide it is several miles long.
(https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/devon/hartland-quay-weather.htm).
The cliffs surrounding the beach offer a great variety of wild flowers and there are breathtaking views south to Bude and Trevose Head. There is a large car park, lovely tearoom a small shop and lifeguard cover during the holiday season. Join the rangers to discover and learn about the amazing marine life that lives on the rocky shores at Sandymouth beach. Parking is free to National Trust Members and Blue Badge Holders else (Parking charges (1 March to 31 October) £2 up to 1hr, £4 up to 4hrs, £8 all day, Winter charges (1 November to 28 February) £1 up to 1hr, £2 up to 4hrs, £4 all day
Holsworthy
Location of Waitrose – quite a small store (delivery and click & collect available).
Wednesday is Market Day – a traditional market around the square.
The Milky Way Adventure Park
Book in advance, ½ day sessions – a great wet weather option.
Top Family Attraction - Things to do in North Devon - The Milky Way
Next door to the Milky Way is the Wake Park - beginner sessions available on a main cable
Wakeboarding | North Devon Wake Park | England
The Big Sheep, Bideford – Fun and informative day for the little ones.
A Little further afield for a Day Out
Tamar Lakes Country Park
A short way off the A39, just the other side of Kilkhampton, but actually in Cornwall.
A circular path around two lakes, popular with dog walkers, joggers and families. Birdwatching, angling, cycling. Plenty of parking and a dog friendly café, Frog Hopper.
Bookable activities & equipment hire (Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Paddle boarding etc), have seasonal opening April to September - 01222 321712
Dingles Fairground Museum, Milton Lifton, Devon, PL16 OAT
A nostalgic trip down memory lane, although we haven’t been there yet (it's probably an hour’s drive).
Partial re-opening of Rides Hall from Easter 2022 & new Hall opening in June 2022 -
Check out the website for seasonal opening information & to book tickets (1/2 day sessions)
If you do go then there is also a fabulous farm shop en-route: Strawberry Fields.
Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton, Devon, PL16 ODE
Provides a good array of exceptional fresh produce a quality butchers on site and deli type goods and frozen ready meal. They have a lovely gift shop and a large café serving delicious lovely lunches and cakes. Highly recommended.
There is also a Country Park at Lifton (Lifton is home of the Devon Ambrosia Custard and desserts factory, not open to the public)