There’s nothing like piling in the car and heading to the seaside on a warm weekend in the UK. One perfect area to spend your relaxing holiday time is North Devon. Full of sandy beaches, water sports, great food and entertainment, there’s something groups of all ages can sink their teeth into.
Visit endless beautiful beaches
Some of the most perfect shorelines can be found in the Woolacombe region. From dramatic Cliffside stretches of sand to pretty surfing havens, there’s something for everyone to love. Here’s a couple that we’re dying to check out:
- Barricane Beach: The ideal spot for hunting seashell souvenirs to take back home. What’s amazing is that tucked between the rocks people can sometimes find rare and exotic shells which often travel all the way from the Caribbean.
- Wollacombe Beach: Easily the favorite, this is three miles of family-friendly sandy paradise. Even in the summer you can find a nice quiet patch to lay out your towels for the day. Surfers love it there too to hit the waves for a day of fun and plenty of sun.
- Mortehoe Beach: The best view of this beach is from above, to really experience the dramatic cliff views. Park a little ways from the waterfront and enjoy a leisure walk to the rocky water’s edge. You can bring your pooch too and let him run wild!
Take a surf lesson
No matter your skill level, North Deon allows surfers of all kinds to come enjoy the beautiful sea. There are several surf schools that will take new students to teach them the basics, as well as entire camps to help hone in on your talents. Have a look at the North Devon Surf School where you can try surfing for a half day or a whole week. Some holiday parks will also offer professional staff for lessons on the property, or even have a special wave pool onsite to learn in a controlled environment.
Eat at delectable restaurants
While many accommodations will have great dining options onsite, it can be fun to venture out into other areas of North Devon to sample some local delicacies.
- The Red Barn: Mingle with local surfers and chow down on some hearty, home cooked meals at this neighbourhood staple. There’s indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Woolacombe Bay and live music bumping on the weekends.
- The Captain’s Table: Families are drawn to this home-style haven and delicious dishes. Open in the summertime, you can grab a hot meal during the day and even stop for a delightful cream tea.
- Noel Corston @ EX34: A funky name for one of the area’s best upscale dining experiences. The awards keep piling in for exquisite modern British cooking served in a cosy and modern atmosphere. Most dishes are created to reflect seasonal ingredients.
- The Thatch: Wander into Croyde for pub food at its finest in an authentic setting. The best part is much of the food is local sourced from Devon and Exmoor Farms. You can also indulge a catch of the day right from the nearby waters.
Be a kid again
Some of our fondest memories travelling as kids were all the awesome family-friendly attractions we used to love visiting. North Devon is the ideal haven for groups that have kids and kids-at-heart who enjoy exploring and letting loose. For instance, start the day at the Combe Martin Dinosaur Park inside the main zoo complex for the chance to step back in time. Then have a quick look at the creep crawly “Bug World” or the beautiful botanical gardens.
Especially in the summer, there are some super exciting outdoor parks, like the Ultimate Adventure Centre in Bideford. There you can challenge yourself with some water zorbing or take a gander on the high ropes course.
If your crew has a sweet tooth, enjoy a more relaxing afternoon at the Quince Honey Farm to learn all about beekeeping, sample home honey and take a few homemade treats home.
Stay at holiday parks
The possibilities are endless when it comes to accommodations in North Devon for group travel. You all can cozy up in lodges, enjoy a spacious tent with on-site hook-ups or have a ball taking over a fully-loaded caravan. Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks have all these accommodations available and can cater to both large and small groups situated on the doorstep of the UK’s best beach (as voted by Trip Advisor users).
This is a bucketlist post in partnership with Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks. All opinions are solely of Pure Wander staff.
