England's Adventure Coast

If you’re searching for that sense of adventure that you can only experience in beautiful countryside among friendly people then look no further than North Devon. North Devon is England’s Adventure Coast and a trip to this area will leave you in no doubt why.

North Devon has miles of coastline featuring sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and the perfect conditions for getting out on the water on a surfboard or kayak. The coast forms part of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which are perfect for exploring via the South West Coast Path and the various walking and cycling trails offering incredible sea views.

The region is brimming with cultural heritage, literary and artistic links as well as culinary prowess and no two towns or villages are the same, but they all have one thing in common – spectacular scenery. As you explore, you’ll discover why this region is so exciting, the nature combined with opportunity for adventure makes it a truly unique place to be.

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Explore

However you want to explore, you will find plenty to surprise and amaze you in North Devon, the region isn’t known as England’s Adventure Coast for nothing. The experiences and activities on offer in this part of the UK are second to none. From wild swimming to mountain cycling to horse riding across Exmoor, there are plenty of ways to explore this unique coastline.

North Devon boasts one of the UK’s most exciting surfing communities – the region has some of the best conditions for surfing and other watersports in the south west with the waters around Croyde, Saunton and Braunton welcoming thousands of water sports enthusiasts every year. The beach at Westward Ho! is the perfect spot for novice surfers and Lynmouth has some challenging waves for the more advanced. Whether you’ve got your sea legs or not, there are instructors and surf schools all across the area dedicated to teaching the ways of the waves whatever your age and ability. You can even hire everything you need from the friendly instructors so you can bow to peer pressure and give it a go once you arrive! Not only are the beaches perfect for getting out on the water, they are renowned for being some of the most beautiful in the UK and regularly win accolades including Blue Flag Awards.

From the beaches you can easily access the South West Coast Path which connects many of the towns and villages in the region. In North Devon, the path starts in Lynmouth and stretches all the way to the border of Cornwall at Hartland Quay. Some of the routes are challenging, but others offer a more gentle terrain making this a great way to explore the beauty of the region. The famous Tarka Trail also runs through North Devon and follows the journey of Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamson’s book. This is a much gentler trail and is perfect for cyclists, it easily combines flat stretches, woodland and some incredible views.

Discover

There is so much to discover in this part of Devon. The history and heritage of the region is incredibly diverse and includes everything from the last ever witch trails to take place in England to the area’s pivotal role in the D Day landings.

From museums to galleries to tours to stories passed down from generation to generation, there are plenty of ways for you to discover North Devon.

North Devon is home to a number of museums offering an insight into the region’s maritime history, well known names and more recent times. The town of Clovelly is in itself almost a living museum with much of the original features retained including the cobbled streets and architecture.

While in North Devon, make sure to visit Ilfracombe where you can see Damien Hirst’s famous Verity statue, this is just one of the many cultural icons you can find that highlights the region’s creativity and artistic nature. Or why not head along to one of the many events and festivals that take place in the region where you can discover the real atmosphere and nature of this wonderful region.

Nature

As you would expect from somewhere with an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Exmoor National Park, North Devon is host to a number of rare and fascinating wildlife. The ecologically diverse landscape includes everything from beaches, cliffs, grassland and forestry giving you a wide range of creatures and plant life to spot.

Lundy Island is just off the coast and is the UK’s first Marine Conservation Reserve, there are a number of boat trips across to the island where as well as spotting the wildlife including seals, puffins and sea birds you can get involved with rock climbing and diving. Alternatively, the Exmoor National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It is most famous for the herd of wild Exmoor ponies that live on the moor, it is also home to half of England’s red deer population and the Valley of the Rocks is where you can find a herd of wild goats. Exmoor has very little light pollution and is one of the best stargazing sites in the UK, it is a Dark Skies Reserve and you can often join in with planned events where you can experience the true beauty of the night sky.

Don't forget to join in with us on Facebook, Twtter and Instagram using #EnglandsAdventureCoast so we can share your experience with others. Or If you've enjoyed a particular restaurant or hotel, why not share the love on TripAdvisor?

Adventure means something different to everyone, but here, you can explore and discover this amazing region at your own pace.