Synonymous with sizzling summer beach holidays, picture perfect towns and villages and dramatic clifftops, North Devon really is a tourist’s dream – the perfect country cottage holiday destination in England. Something shared by acclaimed film director Steven Spielberg who once on a visit to the county exclaimed that “I have never before been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty”. He is joined by people from all over Britain who think of Devon as the best British holiday destination.
Holiday Cottages in North Devon
Everything one looks for in a holiday destination is found in Devon
Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, North Devon is all about peace, tranquillity, breath-taking views and a welcome break away from the hustle and bustle of city life. One of the county’s sensational landmarks is the remote yet charming town of Hartland; also recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. With wonderful walks among the free-flowing waterfalls, steep slopes and along the secluded and gloriously golden sands at Welcombe Mouth, where better to stretch your legs than on the shores of England’s finest coastline? Alternatively, enjoy the views from the town’s diamond in the rough, Hartland Point with its spectacular headland location and an image that could grace the front cover of any photo album. However, countryside is not all Hartland has to offer its plethora of tourists. Why not discover Hartland Quay Shipwreck Museum, where once stood a busy port, or Hartland Abbey, the last monastery in England to be destroyed by Henry VIII and the current home of the Stucley family, descendants of the King’s former Wine Cellar Sergeant, William Abbot?
Bicycles and nature in North Devon
Do you know that North Devon has been affectionally labelled Tarka Country, in reference to Henry Williamson’s popular novel and winner of the Hawthornden Prize Of Literature in 1928, Tarka the Otter? Williamson, a proud citizen of local village Georgeham having used to explore the wild and wonderful landscapes of Exmoor for inspiration for his book…as well as to look for certain furry animals. In the aftermath of its release, the proclaimed written masterpiece has noticeably changed many things in and around the local area, for example the tranquil and health friendly Tarka Trail. Also designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, the 163-mile-long route takes you through the varied and illuminating Devon scenery and key towns in the area like Lynmouth, Torrington and Okehampton. Something that Tarka and indeed Henry Williamson would be immensely proud of! Why not get on your bike along the trail and pedal from “Devon Coast To Coast”? Enjoy traffic free routes like the casual 6-mile ride from Braunton to Barnstaple or the more challenging 11-mile cycle from Great Torrington to Meeth, where you are guaranteed a warm welcome and local homemade food at The Bull and Dragon, a beautiful 15th century thatched pub and winner of a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2017.
North Devon animal attractions to visit on holiday
Nothing quite fills the family with joy than with a trip to the local zoo…and at Exmoor Zoo, that’s exactly what you get. Nestled in the North Devon countryside, kids and young at heart adults will love looking at displays from creepy crawlies in the Amazon to the outback wildlife deep in Australia. With nature so close to you in all directions, it’s no wonder that this fun filled attraction has won a plethora of awards like the Visit Devon Tourism Awards 2012 and North Devon Top Day Out 2013. Not sick and tired of animals just yet? You’ll be entranced by the deep dark rumours of the Exmoor Beast, a black creature with a long tail who apparently slaughtered over 100 sheep in a gruesome massacre in the 1970’s. Not a story for children but definitely one for the Sherlock Holmes lovers out there!
Or, is you have sympathy for our declining population of bees, visit the Quince Honey Farm in South Molton, North Devon, to find out how about their lifecycle and how to help bees in your area. This unique attraction is inspirational and makes for a good half day out during your holiday and it is possible to buy honey product souvenirs.
North Devon is wonderful for seaside holidays
You can’t make the long trip down to North Devon without a stop at vibrant seaside resort Ilfracombe. With so much to do in just one charming town, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice. Explore the award winning, all weather and educational Ilfracombe Aquarium which provides home to over 75 species of fish and is located in the Old RNLI Lifeboat House, Chambercombe Manor, one of Britain’s most haunted houses and a place rumoured to have been mentioned in the Domesday Book and the fascinating Ilfracombe Museum, which has been the pinnacle of the town centre for more than 80 years. Romantics are also a huge fan of Ilfracombe for its truly special Tunnels Beaches, completely hand carved with the help of local entrepreneurs almost 200 years ago. The perfect wedding venue with its own private beach and stunning coastal setting, as well as that once in a lifetime sunset, why not spend the day after your special ceremony looking for crabs and other saltwater animals, which BBC Wildlife Magazine voted the 3rd best beach in the whole of the UK for rock pooling and has recently been showcased on primetime television shows like ‘Coast’ and ‘Tales From The Coast With Robson Green’. The ultimate relaxing hangover cure from a spectacular day before!
Put North Devon at the top of your holiday list
North Devon is not just the ultimate holiday hotspot for all these reasons above, but also for the many memories that you will behold from your time here. Whether you spend a day, weekend or longer down in the South West’s jewel in the crown, you’ll certainly be coming back for more treasured thoughts in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as soon as you can.
Taking the dog on holiday to North Devon?
There is a large number of pet-friendly holiday cottages in Devon where you will be welcome with dogs.