My Favourite Holiday Cottages

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Sandy beaches, soaring cliffs, green hills and wooded combes can all be discovered while staying in a holiday cottage in North Devon. There’s loads to do in this spectacular region, from hiking the Southwest Coast Path and horse-riding on Exmoor to surfing or swimming in the Atlantic. North Devon is also a great destination for food and drink with farmers’ markets, ancient pubs and harbourside restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal prepared with fresh produce from the coast and countryside.

The North Devon coast begins in the heart of Exmoor, an enchanting area frequented by wild ponies and deer. Deep valleys, pebbly bays and high, forested cliffs are all seen from the Southwest Coast Path, while inland, Exmoor is a paradise for walking, fishing and horse-riding, where tumbling rivers, windswept moorland and fields are crisscrossed by footpaths and bridleways. The village of Lynton perches above a dramatic valley with incredible views to the harbour of Lynmouth below. Spend a day exploring graceful Victorian architecture, art galleries, tearooms and pubs – and don’t forget to take a ride on the near-vertical cliff railway that connects the two villages. 

On the western edge of Exmoor National Park, Combe Martin is a laid-back resort with a sandy beach which is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and building sandcastles. Low tide reveals a unique walkway through a maze of rockpools where hunting for crabs is popular. Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is a fun family attraction with wolves, lions and animatronic dinosaurs hiding in the woods. Neighbouring Ilfracombe is another lovely resort with a working harbour overlooked by Verity, a striking sculpture by Damien Hirst. While away an afternoon at the Tunnel Beaches, visit the aquarium by the Quay or book a table at one of the town’s award-winning restaurants.

West of Ilfracombe, the long, sandy bays of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton are among the country’s most famous surf spots. Backed by dunes and framed by jagged headlands, all three are beautiful beaches with surf shops and schools offering board hire and lessons for anyone who wants to catch a few waves.

Barnstaple is the main town of North Devon, on the banks of the River Taw, a few miles inland from the coast. It’s well worth taking the time to explore the town centre, which is home to a variety of independent shops. Don’t miss the pannier market or Butcher’s Row, where you can pick up the best-quality meat, fish and cheese. Barnstaple is also a popular stop on the Tarka Trail, a cycle route that follows an old railway track for more than 30 miles through some of the region’s most idyllic countryside.

The pretty town of Bideford overlooks the River Torridge, south of Barnstaple, with a tangle of narrow streets to explore, while at the river mouth, Appledore is a peaceful village with a rich shipbuilding heritage and one of North Devon’s best ice-cream brands, Hocking’s. Neighbouring Westward Ho! is a relaxed resort with a vast, sandy beach and a variety of seaside amusements. The Royal North Devon Golf Club is home to England’s oldest links course, which is open to visitors who fancy a challenging round with views across Bideford Bay. Nearby, the Big Sheep and Milky Way are two of North Devon’s top family attractions

Further west, towards the Cornish border, the coast is rockier and more remote. The secluded bay of Bucks Mills lies a few miles east of Clovelly, a fishing village where cobbled lanes descend to an ancient harbour. The Hartland Peninsula is scattered with shipwrecks and secret beaches battered by Atlantic storms. Visit magnificent Hartland Abbey before stopping at Hartland Quay, where you can enjoy a pint of ale a few feet from the crashing waves, with views across the ocean towards Lundy Island.