Croyde Barn

There’s more to North Devon than the coast, amazing though it is. You will find all sorts of places to get out there and see, from historic and cultural attractions to family favourites.

You won’t want to miss the intriguing village of Clovelly. Loved by the likes of Charles Dickens and Charles Kingsley, this privately owned fishing village has become a must-see attraction. As well as the busy fishing harbour, there are museums, hotels, cobbled streets and even a few donkeys wandering around. There is also a small pebble beach and, at certain times of the year, special events.

If beach life is your thing, be sure to visit Saunton Sands, just north of Westward Ho!, or take a walk among the sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As well as Croyde, you can discover Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Combe Martin – all good choices for a family day at the beach.

Train lovers will want to seek out the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, an ambitious regeneration project bringing an early 20th-century steam train service back to life, or the Tarka Valley Railway at Torrington. There’s more of this sort of thing at Bideford’s Railway Heritage Centre, or for a different kind of ride, try the Cliff Railway which runs between Lynton and Lynmouth. Making the journey in this water-powered funicular will certainly save you a taxing walk.

There is no shortage of wonderful gardens to explore in North Devon – some are so big you could spend the whole day there. RHS Rosemoor, near Great Torrington, has an impressive array of things to see, including a rose garden, arboretum and fruit orchards. Tapeley Park is a lovely estate sitting on a hill above the River Torridge, and the gardens are well worth visiting. Near Barnstaple, the Castle Hill Gardens surround a magnificent, ochre mansion house from the 18th century – together they are a stunning sight.

The riverside town of Bideford is a good place to go for dining and shopping, as well as attractions such as the Burton Art Gallery & Museum. Nearby, you will also find The BIG Sheep, a wildlife and fun park with all sorts of activities going on, including sheep racing and lamb feeding. Close by, the Ultimate Adventure Centre offers the kind of high-energy thrills that teenagers and active adults will love.

The Quince Honey Farm in South Molton provides another interesting excursion and will tell you all you need to know about bees and everything honey-related. Alternatively, you can learn all about glassmaking at Dartington Crystal in Torrington. As the UK’s only remaining glass factory, this is the place to do it.

Read more about Devon

Devon is the kind of destination that rewards exploration. With coastlines on two separate sides of England you’ll have seaside towns and clifftop walks to enjoy, and with Dartmoor and Exmoor your adventures can expand to kayaking, hiking or just admiring the spectacular scenery. So you can make the very best of this wonderful English county, we’ve created this Devon travel guide that’s full of tips, inspiration and great things to do – and our range of beautiful cottages in Devon make the perfect place to stay.

Download our Devon Travel Guide >>