Sightseeing
The Tarka Trail
The Tarka trail runs from Braunton to Torrington and is lovely for cycling. You can hire bikes from Tarka Bikes at Barnstaple and either cycle to Braunton and on to Crow Point, or toward Instow via Fremington Quay. Cycles can also be hired from Torrington.
If you're cycling past Fremington Quay be sure to stop off at Fremington Quay Cafe for excellent food and ice cream - especially their crab sandwiches.
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Tarka Trail
The Tarka Trail
The Tarka trail runs from Braunton to Torrington and is lovely for cycling. You can hire bikes from Tarka Bikes at Barnstaple and either cycle to Braunton and on to Crow Point, or toward Instow via Fremington Quay. Cycles can also be hired from Torrington.
If you're cycling past Fremington Quay be sure to stop off at Fremington Quay Cafe for excellent food and ice cream - especially their crab sandwiches.
Another lovely place take a break while cycling along the Tarka Trail. Enjoy an ice cream while savouring the delightful view across the estuary to Appledore. If you're on foot you can even take the Instow to Appledore ferry.
Instow beach
Another lovely place take a break while cycling along the Tarka Trail. Enjoy an ice cream while savouring the delightful view across the estuary to Appledore. If you're on foot you can even take the Instow to Appledore ferry.
A pretty harbour town with interesting rocky beach beneath spectacular cliffs. Famous for the 1951 flood disaster and its historic cliff railway connecting it to Lynton
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Lynmouth
A pretty harbour town with interesting rocky beach beneath spectacular cliffs. Famous for the 1951 flood disaster and its historic cliff railway connecting it to Lynton
A fishing lodge where the wild waters of the East Lyn river meets Hoar Oak Water. It's now a National Trust shop and tea room which can get quite busy but walk along the wooded river valley toward Rockford to escape the crowds and enjoy a relatively gentle walk to The Rockford Inn for refreshments.
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National Trust - Watersmeet
Watersmeet RoadA fishing lodge where the wild waters of the East Lyn river meets Hoar Oak Water. It's now a National Trust shop and tea room which can get quite busy but walk along the wooded river valley toward Rockford to escape the crowds and enjoy a relatively gentle walk to The Rockford Inn for refreshments.
Spectacular views across the Atlantic from the South West coast path. Great walking and tremendous scenery but cliff top drops and rocky terrain make it dangerous for very small children.
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Mortehoe
Spectacular views across the Atlantic from the South West coast path. Great walking and tremendous scenery but cliff top drops and rocky terrain make it dangerous for very small children.
Crow Point is a peninsula that extends into the Taw & Torridge estuary and is part of the Braunton Burrows nature reserve.
It is a hidden delight with amazing views and home to many types of sea and estuary birds. It's not somewhere I'd go to swim as I think the currents might be dangerous, but it's lovely for a walk and sliding down the sand dunes is great fun for kids.
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Crow Point
Crow Point is a peninsula that extends into the Taw & Torridge estuary and is part of the Braunton Burrows nature reserve.
It is a hidden delight with amazing views and home to many types of sea and estuary birds. It's not somewhere I'd go to swim as I think the currents might be dangerous, but it's lovely for a walk and sliding down the sand dunes is great fun for kids.
The North Devon coast is spectacular from any angle and these short cruises enable you to get a different vantage point and to discover coves and islands that you can't always see from the land. It's a restful way to discover and enjoy North Devon's landscape and wildlife. If you're after something faster try the RIB sea safaris ... same coast but a much quicker pace!
Ilfracombe Coastal Cruises
3 The QuayThe North Devon coast is spectacular from any angle and these short cruises enable you to get a different vantage point and to discover coves and islands that you can't always see from the land. It's a restful way to discover and enjoy North Devon's landscape and wildlife. If you're after something faster try the RIB sea safaris ... same coast but a much quicker pace!
The dramatic clifftop scenery and setting of Ilfracombe Harbour is beautiful and impressive and the picturesque 14th Century chapel perched on Lantern Hill, right next to Damien Hirst’s statue Verity standing guard at the harbour entrance, add interest. There are lots of coves to explore, including the famous Tunnels Beaches (which we've yet to visit), plus a wide selection of eateries serving local fish & seafood, independent shops, a cinema, mini golf and amusement arcades.
Ilfracombe is also the starting point for costal cruises, sailings to Lundy island, fishing trips and a great place to watch Gig Racing.
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Ilfracombe Harbour
10A The QuayThe dramatic clifftop scenery and setting of Ilfracombe Harbour is beautiful and impressive and the picturesque 14th Century chapel perched on Lantern Hill, right next to Damien Hirst’s statue Verity standing guard at the harbour entrance, add interest. There are lots of coves to explore, including the famous Tunnels Beaches (which we've yet to visit), plus a wide selection of eateries serving local fish & seafood, independent shops, a cinema, mini golf and amusement arcades.
Ilfracombe is also the starting point for costal cruises, sailings to Lundy island, fishing trips and a great place to watch Gig Racing.
Ride a steam locomotive from Woody Bay to Kilmington Lane on one of the world’s most famous and picturesque narrow-gauge railways, the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
The railway originally opened in 1898, and closed in 1935 and is gradually being reconstructed. For now, you board your train - comprised of restored heritage carriages - at Woody Bay Station, and travel to Killington Lane and back on a two-mile round trip behind a narrow-gauge steam locomotive. The complete trip lasts about 25 minutes and affords lovely views across rolling countryside - an enjoyable step back in time.
Woody Bay Station
Ride a steam locomotive from Woody Bay to Kilmington Lane on one of the world’s most famous and picturesque narrow-gauge railways, the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
The railway originally opened in 1898, and closed in 1935 and is gradually being reconstructed. For now, you board your train - comprised of restored heritage carriages - at Woody Bay Station, and travel to Killington Lane and back on a two-mile round trip behind a narrow-gauge steam locomotive. The complete trip lasts about 25 minutes and affords lovely views across rolling countryside - an enjoyable step back in time.
A childhood favourite and the UK's only fully water powered railway that takes you from Lynton to the beautiful coastal village of Lynmouth 500 feet below. Built in 1888, it operates by using renewable and sustainable fresh river water and remains the world's highest and the steepest fully water powered railway in the world. Family fun for all (dogs are welcome too).
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Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (Top station)
The EsplanadeA childhood favourite and the UK's only fully water powered railway that takes you from Lynton to the beautiful coastal village of Lynmouth 500 feet below. Built in 1888, it operates by using renewable and sustainable fresh river water and remains the world's highest and the steepest fully water powered railway in the world. Family fun for all (dogs are welcome too).
If you enjoy visiting churches you'll love this. Little used (I believe), this one has a fantastic calming atmosphere and is easy to imagine rural congregations walking from miles around to attend.
St Petrock's Church
If you enjoy visiting churches you'll love this. Little used (I believe), this one has a fantastic calming atmosphere and is easy to imagine rural congregations walking from miles around to attend.
Food & Drink
Great place to stop off while cycling or walking along the Tarka Trail. Excellent food - particularly crab salads, and ice cream.
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Fremington Quay
Great place to stop off while cycling or walking along the Tarka Trail. Excellent food - particularly crab salads, and ice cream.
A real gem, perfect for a bar snack and a long drink at the end of a scenic walk, or for a special dinner.
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The Royal Oak Inn
Sparrow LaneA real gem, perfect for a bar snack and a long drink at the end of a scenic walk, or for a special dinner.
Excellent fish and chips.
Golf Links Rd, Westward Ho!
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Westward Ho!
Excellent fish and chips.
Golf Links Rd, Westward Ho!
An essential part of a North Devon holiday. Hockings clotted cream ice creams have been made in Appledore by the Hockings family since 1936 and are sold from ice cream vans in Bideford, Westward Ho!, Torrington and Appledore. Definitely worth trying ... again, and again and again!
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Hockings Dairy Cream Ices
Kingsley AvenueAn essential part of a North Devon holiday. Hockings clotted cream ice creams have been made in Appledore by the Hockings family since 1936 and are sold from ice cream vans in Bideford, Westward Ho!, Torrington and Appledore. Definitely worth trying ... again, and again and again!
Our local and a true community pub, even though it's very remote, and a good 3 1/2 miles from the nearest village.
Very unconventional and may not serve food any more but this 17th Century pub is a fun experience. It has no mains electricity or gas and it's not uncommon for the lights to go out, leaving the bar in candlelight while the landlord goes out to kick the generator. Great fun but expect the unexpected.
Poltimore Arms
Our local and a true community pub, even though it's very remote, and a good 3 1/2 miles from the nearest village.
Very unconventional and may not serve food any more but this 17th Century pub is a fun experience. It has no mains electricity or gas and it's not uncommon for the lights to go out, leaving the bar in candlelight while the landlord goes out to kick the generator. Great fun but expect the unexpected.
Not a personal recommendation as I've never been but I have heard good things about this place so hope to try it sometime. Not to be confused with the Poltimore Arms
Poltimore Inn
East StreetNot a personal recommendation as I've never been but I have heard good things about this place so hope to try it sometime. Not to be confused with the Poltimore Arms
Nice pub with good food just 15 minute drive from High Bray
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The New Inn
West RoadNice pub with good food just 15 minute drive from High Bray
Lovely pub with good food set in a very pretty Exmoor village. Approximately 20 minutes drive from High Bray
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The Fox & Goose
Lovely pub with good food set in a very pretty Exmoor village. Approximately 20 minutes drive from High Bray
Family Favourites
Things we've enjoyed as a family over the years, both as children and as parents.
Magnificent sandy beach that's great for surfing (particularly for beginners), kite flying, cricket and football games and sandcastle building plus walking, and enjoying the sand dunes to the north and the rock pools to the south. The beach is attended by RNLI lifeguards in the summer and North Devon Surf School are handy for lessons and kit hire.
If you ever tire of the beach there's go-karting, crazy golf and the amusement arcades just the other side of the pebble ridge. Don't miss the amazing Hocking's clotted cream ice cream and Atlantic Bay's Fish and Chips.
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Westward Ho!
Magnificent sandy beach that's great for surfing (particularly for beginners), kite flying, cricket and football games and sandcastle building plus walking, and enjoying the sand dunes to the north and the rock pools to the south. The beach is attended by RNLI lifeguards in the summer and North Devon Surf School are handy for lessons and kit hire.
If you ever tire of the beach there's go-karting, crazy golf and the amusement arcades just the other side of the pebble ridge. Don't miss the amazing Hocking's clotted cream ice cream and Atlantic Bay's Fish and Chips.
A fabulous indoor swimming experience perfect for rainy days. So much more than just a pool - it has water slides, wave machine, rapids a lazy river, shallows and loungers for relaxing.
There are also rides, shows, soft play and outdoor play areas to enjoy but the pool has always been the highlight of our trip.
Butlins Minehead is on the Exmoor Coast and a very scenic 50 minute drive away from Brayford. We always enjoy the journey there and back as much as the experience.
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Butlin's Minehead Resort
Warren RoadA fabulous indoor swimming experience perfect for rainy days. So much more than just a pool - it has water slides, wave machine, rapids a lazy river, shallows and loungers for relaxing.
There are also rides, shows, soft play and outdoor play areas to enjoy but the pool has always been the highlight of our trip.
Butlins Minehead is on the Exmoor Coast and a very scenic 50 minute drive away from Brayford. We always enjoy the journey there and back as much as the experience.
Another favourite. A small, beautifully warm, swimming pool conveniently located next to the car park in South Molton. Great for smaller children especially during fun-time when fun floats, beach balls and other swimming toys are made available. Friendly helpful staff too.
1610 South Molton Swimming Pool
Mill StreetAnother favourite. A small, beautifully warm, swimming pool conveniently located next to the car park in South Molton. Great for smaller children especially during fun-time when fun floats, beach balls and other swimming toys are made available. Friendly helpful staff too.
Combe Martin is Brayford's nearest beach - a small pebbly cove fantastic for rock pooling and skimming stones. Hire kayaks and paddle boards from nearby Surfside Kayak Hire and OSKC Outdoor shop to explore the cove.
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Surfside Kayak Hire
Borough RoadCombe Martin is Brayford's nearest beach - a small pebbly cove fantastic for rock pooling and skimming stones. Hire kayaks and paddle boards from nearby Surfside Kayak Hire and OSKC Outdoor shop to explore the cove.