Drinks & Nightlife
Run by 2 brothers, Rob and Ed, this funky bar nails friendly casual good service and good food. Burgers and pizzas are a good choice. There is a good vibe any time of the day, lunch or dinner or evenings.
Check out Wednesday’s Open Mic Night and the laid back acoustic live music every Sunday which accompanies their Roast Sunday
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Bar Electric
Run by 2 brothers, Rob and Ed, this funky bar nails friendly casual good service and good food. Burgers and pizzas are a good choice. There is a good vibe any time of the day, lunch or dinner or evenings.
Check out Wednesday’s Open Mic Night and the laid back acoustic live music every Sunday which accompanies their Roast Sunday
Good sports bar to catch the footy / cricket or whatever takes your fancy. Also serves food.
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The Jube
South StreetGood sports bar to catch the footy / cricket or whatever takes your fancy. Also serves food.
Offers a family friendly service with pub food served all day and late into the evening. The sponsor of many local events and often playing live music, The Red Barn is one of the focal points of the village.
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The Red Barn
Barton RoadOffers a family friendly service with pub food served all day and late into the evening. The sponsor of many local events and often playing live music, The Red Barn is one of the focal points of the village.
Sightseeing
Woolacombe beach was voted number 1 best beach in the UK 2 years running and has won the England for Excellence Gold Award, for best family resort and the Best British Beach as seen in the Mail on Sunday.
This three mile stretch of golden sand beach continues to win awards including the Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Award for its cleanliness and excellent facilities.
Walking all the way down Woolacombe beach leads you to Putsborough which offers a small beach café and slightly cleaner waves on windy days.
Lifeguards are situated on this beach to ensure safety and means swimmers and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy great waves and clean water.
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Isibheshu saseWoolacombe
Woolacombe beach was voted number 1 best beach in the UK 2 years running and has won the England for Excellence Gold Award, for best family resort and the Best British Beach as seen in the Mail on Sunday.
This three mile stretch of golden sand beach continues to win awards including the Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Award for its cleanliness and excellent facilities.
Walking all the way down Woolacombe beach leads you to Putsborough which offers a small beach café and slightly cleaner waves on windy days.
Lifeguards are situated on this beach to ensure safety and means swimmers and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy great waves and clean water.
The small settlement of Mortehoe is a pretty stone built village mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
The picturesque village has several lovely tea rooms and pubs that serve good food, as well as a thirteenth century church and Heritage Centre, which recounts the areas rich maritime history.
Mortehoe is also the starting point for many scenic walks along this dramatic stretch of coast line, much of which is a part of a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area, creating a beautiful haven for wild flowers and animals.
Just north of the village and reached only on foot, is Rockham Beach lying at the base of the 100 ft cliff, an ideal location for a peaceful day on the beach.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mortehoe
The small settlement of Mortehoe is a pretty stone built village mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
The picturesque village has several lovely tea rooms and pubs that serve good food, as well as a thirteenth century church and Heritage Centre, which recounts the areas rich maritime history.
Mortehoe is also the starting point for many scenic walks along this dramatic stretch of coast line, much of which is a part of a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area, creating a beautiful haven for wild flowers and animals.
Just north of the village and reached only on foot, is Rockham Beach lying at the base of the 100 ft cliff, an ideal location for a peaceful day on the beach.
Ilfracombe has been settled since the Iron Age. Its name is a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Alfreincoma - by which name it was noted in the Exeter Doomsday Book. The translation of this name means the "Valley of the sons of Alfred".
Ilfracombe was made up of two communities; a farming community around the parish church called Holy Trinity, parts of which date from the 12th century, and a fishing community around the harbor.
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe has been settled since the Iron Age. Its name is a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Alfreincoma - by which name it was noted in the Exeter Doomsday Book. The translation of this name means the "Valley of the sons of Alfred".
Ilfracombe was made up of two communities; a farming community around the parish church called Holy Trinity, parts of which date from the 12th century, and a fishing community around the harbor.
Just over from Woolacombe beach is Barricane, filled with small broken shells and plenty of rocks to climb and explore.
The shells that wash up and form this beautiful small beach have come all the way from the Caribbean, brought in by the Gulf Stream and Barricane has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of this.
This beach also has a small café which offers fantastic Sri Lankan curry, cooked by a Sri Lankan chef, which makes for a perfect evening meal watching the sunset after a long day on the beach as well as yummy homemade cakes, cups of tea in proper mugs and ice creams to curb your hunger whatever the weather on the beach (during peak season)!
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Barricane Beach
Just over from Woolacombe beach is Barricane, filled with small broken shells and plenty of rocks to climb and explore.
The shells that wash up and form this beautiful small beach have come all the way from the Caribbean, brought in by the Gulf Stream and Barricane has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of this.
This beach also has a small café which offers fantastic Sri Lankan curry, cooked by a Sri Lankan chef, which makes for a perfect evening meal watching the sunset after a long day on the beach as well as yummy homemade cakes, cups of tea in proper mugs and ice creams to curb your hunger whatever the weather on the beach (during peak season)!
Further along, Combesgate, like Woolacombe, has fine golden sand and is a paradise for surfers and swimmers and a haven for the keen rock pool explorer!
You can access this beach down some steep stairs from The Esplanade or via Barricane Beach at low tide. No dogs are allowed on Combesgate during the summer season
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Combesgate Beach
Further along, Combesgate, like Woolacombe, has fine golden sand and is a paradise for surfers and swimmers and a haven for the keen rock pool explorer!
You can access this beach down some steep stairs from The Esplanade or via Barricane Beach at low tide. No dogs are allowed on Combesgate during the summer season
Further along the coast path, towards Morte Point, you will come across Grunta, named after an incident when a ship with a cargo of pigs ran aground here.
This beach is really only accessible at a very low tide via Combesgate, or by a fairly steep cliff path at any other time, which does make it harder to reach but can be worth the extra effort to enjoy a quieter beach away from the crowds.
Beautiful, deep, sand bottomed pools make Grunta great for children to swim in and explore this hidden gem. When the main beach is full, you almost always find you can have this beach to yourself. Like Combesgate, no toilet, or shop but simply a wonderful natural beach.
Grunta Beach
Further along the coast path, towards Morte Point, you will come across Grunta, named after an incident when a ship with a cargo of pigs ran aground here.
This beach is really only accessible at a very low tide via Combesgate, or by a fairly steep cliff path at any other time, which does make it harder to reach but can be worth the extra effort to enjoy a quieter beach away from the crowds.
Beautiful, deep, sand bottomed pools make Grunta great for children to swim in and explore this hidden gem. When the main beach is full, you almost always find you can have this beach to yourself. Like Combesgate, no toilet, or shop but simply a wonderful natural beach.
Entertainment & Activities
If you want to give surfing a try, it is essential to book your lessons in advance. There are some great local surf schools based in Woolacombe, offering lessons to help you learn to surf.
Alternatively, there are plenty of surf shops in the village which offer board hire at good prices and many of the surf schools offer equipment to hire too.
At Parade House, we have negotiated special rates for our customers with Hunter Surf School.
They do a special starter package for a discounted rate of £30 – just quote ‘Parade House’ when you book – plus 10% discount on any equipment and wetsuit hire.
Telephone: 01271 870543
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Hunter Surf School & Hire
Barton RoadIf you want to give surfing a try, it is essential to book your lessons in advance. There are some great local surf schools based in Woolacombe, offering lessons to help you learn to surf.
Alternatively, there are plenty of surf shops in the village which offer board hire at good prices and many of the surf schools offer equipment to hire too.
At Parade House, we have negotiated special rates for our customers with Hunter Surf School.
They do a special starter package for a discounted rate of £30 – just quote ‘Parade House’ when you book – plus 10% discount on any equipment and wetsuit hire.
Telephone: 01271 870543
There are several stables in Woolacombe and the surrounding area which offer escorted rides for novice and experienced riders all year round.
Some schools offer specialized beach rides for experienced riders and instruction in flat work and jumping.
7-16 year olds can also enjoy a day at the stables, meeting all the horses, grooming and tacking up as well as riding.
Schools normally provide hats and boots but best to ask in advance.
Try Woolacombe stables on 01271 870260 or Mullacott Riding Stables 01271 866685
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Woolacombe riding stables
Beach RoadThere are several stables in Woolacombe and the surrounding area which offer escorted rides for novice and experienced riders all year round.
Some schools offer specialized beach rides for experienced riders and instruction in flat work and jumping.
7-16 year olds can also enjoy a day at the stables, meeting all the horses, grooming and tacking up as well as riding.
Schools normally provide hats and boots but best to ask in advance.
Try Woolacombe stables on 01271 870260 or Mullacott Riding Stables 01271 866685
There are over 50 golf courses in Devon so plenty of places to enjoy golf in some wonderful scenery.
For the serious golfer, Saunton Sands has 2 courses which both figure in the Golf Monthly Top 100 Golf Courses in 2017.
Ilfracombe also offers a very enjoyable option just around the corner. The views are amazing at Ilfracombe where they rightfully advertise as ‘Sea views from every tee’.
There is also a 9 hole course at the Mortehoe and Woolacombe Golf Club – 01271 870566
Willingcott boats an 18 hole course at Willingcott Valley Golf Course – 01271 870173
You’ll also find a few crazy golf courses right in the the heart of Woolacombe.
Mortehoe & Woolacombe Golf Club
There are over 50 golf courses in Devon so plenty of places to enjoy golf in some wonderful scenery.
For the serious golfer, Saunton Sands has 2 courses which both figure in the Golf Monthly Top 100 Golf Courses in 2017.
Ilfracombe also offers a very enjoyable option just around the corner. The views are amazing at Ilfracombe where they rightfully advertise as ‘Sea views from every tee’.
There is also a 9 hole course at the Mortehoe and Woolacombe Golf Club – 01271 870566
Willingcott boats an 18 hole course at Willingcott Valley Golf Course – 01271 870173
You’ll also find a few crazy golf courses right in the the heart of Woolacombe.
You can utilize the swimming pool facilities at this holiday park for a small fee as a non guest. Great place if you find it's raining and a lovely pool.
Ruda Holiday Park
The DunesYou can utilize the swimming pool facilities at this holiday park for a small fee as a non guest. Great place if you find it's raining and a lovely pool.
Shopping
Woolacombe offers some great local shops with a variety of produce, from small arts and crafts to clothing.
You will find a pharmacy, a Londis, a post office and a free cash point in the village, which cover the basics.
Woolacombe also has an open air market every Monday on the main road between Woolacombe and Ilfracombe during the summer.
The nearest supermarket is Tesco’s in Ilfracrombe. You can also arrange a Tesco delivery.
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Woolacombe
Woolacombe offers some great local shops with a variety of produce, from small arts and crafts to clothing.
You will find a pharmacy, a Londis, a post office and a free cash point in the village, which cover the basics.
Woolacombe also has an open air market every Monday on the main road between Woolacombe and Ilfracombe during the summer.
The nearest supermarket is Tesco’s in Ilfracrombe. You can also arrange a Tesco delivery.
Food Scene
NC (Noel Corston) is a pioneering, multi-award winning restaurant based in the centre of Woolacombe. It has consecutively received the award for Best Restaurant in Devon across the various different platforms, and is also recommended in the Michelin Guide 2017.
They offer one fixed tasting menu which is built around the seasons, reflecting the immediate environment at any given moment in time. Guests dine at the kitchen counter which accommodates ten, and they offer one sitting per evening.
Reservations are essential.
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Noel Corston
South StreetNC (Noel Corston) is a pioneering, multi-award winning restaurant based in the centre of Woolacombe. It has consecutively received the award for Best Restaurant in Devon across the various different platforms, and is also recommended in the Michelin Guide 2017.
They offer one fixed tasting menu which is built around the seasons, reflecting the immediate environment at any given moment in time. Guests dine at the kitchen counter which accommodates ten, and they offer one sitting per evening.
Reservations are essential.
Woolacombe Bay Hotel offers two restaurants within their grounds. The Bay Brasseria is their most relaxed of the two serving seasonal local produce.
A lovely menu, with great choice across fish and meat.
Bookings are essential
The Bay Brasseria
South StreetWoolacombe Bay Hotel offers two restaurants within their grounds. The Bay Brasseria is their most relaxed of the two serving seasonal local produce.
A lovely menu, with great choice across fish and meat.
Bookings are essential
A great breakfast place. Have recently done a nice refurbishment and worth thinking about for a low key dinner too
The Captains Table
7 Woolacombe RiseA great breakfast place. Have recently done a nice refurbishment and worth thinking about for a low key dinner too
Arguably, Woolacombe’s best fish restaurants, The Beach House was awarded top 10 coastal restaurant in Devon by Coast magazine. Watch out for the surly french owner, Fred – but he warms up pretty quickly
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The Beach House Restaurant
3 West RdArguably, Woolacombe’s best fish restaurants, The Beach House was awarded top 10 coastal restaurant in Devon by Coast magazine. Watch out for the surly french owner, Fred – but he warms up pretty quickly
With fabulous views of the 3 mile beach, the beachcomber café is a great place to try in the sun or rain. They do a good breakfast, served from 9am, or try the crab salad for a relaxing lunch.
Not open in the evening (which is a shame). Open during peak season.
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The Beachcomber Cafe
With fabulous views of the 3 mile beach, the beachcomber café is a great place to try in the sun or rain. They do a good breakfast, served from 9am, or try the crab salad for a relaxing lunch.
Not open in the evening (which is a shame). Open during peak season.
The Barricane Beach café used to be one of Woolacombe’s true secrets…. until it was mentioned in the Sunday Times best beach restaurants! In peak season (sorry!) from 5-8 (until food runs out!), you can get a fabulous Sri Lankan curry – meat or veg – and take it down the beach and enjoy the sunset. The food is great and the atmosphere is very special.
Wine and beer is on a ‘Bring Your Own’ basis as the café doesn’t have a drinks licence
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Barricane Beach Cafe
Woolacombe RiseThe Barricane Beach café used to be one of Woolacombe’s true secrets…. until it was mentioned in the Sunday Times best beach restaurants! In peak season (sorry!) from 5-8 (until food runs out!), you can get a fabulous Sri Lankan curry – meat or veg – and take it down the beach and enjoy the sunset. The food is great and the atmosphere is very special.
Wine and beer is on a ‘Bring Your Own’ basis as the café doesn’t have a drinks licence
Owned by artist Damien Hirst (and adorned with his original artwork) - its smart but relaxed, as is the food.
11 The Quay
11 The QuayOwned by artist Damien Hirst (and adorned with his original artwork) - its smart but relaxed, as is the food.
A little in-land at Kentisbury is Kentisbury Grange, which has recently joined up with two-Michelin starred chef Michael Caines. Again, it's smart, and on the special occasion, fine-dining side, but isn't stuffy and does great-value relaxed lunches.
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The Coach House by Michael Caines at Kentisbury Grange
A little in-land at Kentisbury is Kentisbury Grange, which has recently joined up with two-Michelin starred chef Michael Caines. Again, it's smart, and on the special occasion, fine-dining side, but isn't stuffy and does great-value relaxed lunches.
Also on the smart side, and very nice with great views, is the restaurant at Saunton Sands Hotel, and its sister café , Beach side Grill, is good for seafood, grills, pasta and risotto.
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Saunton Sands Hotel
Saunton RoadAlso on the smart side, and very nice with great views, is the restaurant at Saunton Sands Hotel, and its sister café , Beach side Grill, is good for seafood, grills, pasta and risotto.
Also on the relaxed front, The Corner Bistro - try the excellent local steaks, including cuts you may not have tried before
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The Corner Bistro
8 The SquareAlso on the relaxed front, The Corner Bistro - try the excellent local steaks, including cuts you may not have tried before
For excellent old-fashioned fish-and-chips it has to be the award-winning Squire's in Braunton - which has also recently opened a new, slightly smarter but still family-friendly upmarket restaurant across the road, with a lovely terrace.
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Squires
1 Exeter RdFor excellent old-fashioned fish-and-chips it has to be the award-winning Squire's in Braunton - which has also recently opened a new, slightly smarter but still family-friendly upmarket restaurant across the road, with a lovely terrace.
For good, up-market Chinese food (and takeaway), it has to be Fullam restaurant, also in Barnstaple.
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Fullam Restaurant
18 Tuly StFor good, up-market Chinese food (and takeaway), it has to be Fullam restaurant, also in Barnstaple.
A fantastic traditional pub which also happens to hold a Michelin star. You'll find it on Exmoor en-route to North Devon, just off the A361 and 20 miles from Barnstaple, and it's well-worth the journey for its cosy feel and top-notch food.
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The Masons Arms, Knowstone
A fantastic traditional pub which also happens to hold a Michelin star. You'll find it on Exmoor en-route to North Devon, just off the A361 and 20 miles from Barnstaple, and it's well-worth the journey for its cosy feel and top-notch food.
This pub has a very good reputation and wins numerous awards and is dog friendly. Lovely food, quaint surroundings and lovely staff.
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The Kings Arms
Chapel StreetThis pub has a very good reputation and wins numerous awards and is dog friendly. Lovely food, quaint surroundings and lovely staff.
The Rock, also in Georgeham also has a good reputation for good food and nice ales.
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The Rock Inn
Rock HillThe Rock, also in Georgeham also has a good reputation for good food and nice ales.
The Grove Inn is another one worth the half hour or so trip inland - it's tiny and quaint, and serves brilliantly traditional hearty dishes such as Devon hog's pudding, and excellent wine and brews too.
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The Grove Inn
The Grove Inn is another one worth the half hour or so trip inland - it's tiny and quaint, and serves brilliantly traditional hearty dishes such as Devon hog's pudding, and excellent wine and brews too.
Parks & Nature
Tarka Trail
A beautiful space to walk, run or cycle.