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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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  1. Westward Ho!

Westward Ho!

Westward Ho! is a delightful seaside village near Bideford in the north of Devon. The name came from a Charles Kingsley book, also titled Westward Ho!, that was a best seller and brought a new wave of tourism to the Bideford area leading to the creation of village. It isn’t just how the village was named that makes it unusual, it is also the only place in the British Isles that features an exclamation mark as part of its name.

The village is best known for its seafront which, like many of the spots in North Devon, is popular with surfers and swimmers. The water leads onto a large expanse of clean sand backed by a pebble ridge and grasslands, offering the right landscape for several different beach activities including rock pooling, sand castle building and picnics.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The seafront and the part of the village leading down to the water are part of an AONB which covers the majority of Devon’s north coast.

The AONB includes the beach which is one of a number of Blue Flag rated beaches in this region. During the summer life guards are stationed making it one of the safest in Devon for swimming and water sports. Like much of the coastline in this area of Devon, the current makes conditions perfect for a number of water based activities and the village is popular with those that like surfing, as such you’ll find a host of organisations renting equipment and offering lessons in a wide range of sports including paddle boarding and kayaking. There are also a number of businesses based in the village who offer training sessions and tours of the coastline by boat or board, so those of you interested in a sightseeing tour with a difference can really learn more about this fascinating village from the water.

The village is an ideal spot for anyone wanting to get back to nature as it is surrounded by the beauty of the natural world including cliffs, fields and an estuary.

Dog friendly


Westward Ho! is one of the most welcoming places in the south west when it comes to dogs. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, with restrictions in place during the summer. Signs around the beach provide handy maps so dog owners will know where they can go and alternative routes for those exploring with their dogs by foot.

Seaside traditions


Having gained popularity in the Victorian times, Westward Ho! has maintained much of the traditional sea side facilities of that era. Attractions include a tidal lido as well as arcades which have been updated and renovated to keep up with the times. Another popular attraction in the town is the Go-Kart Track.

In popular culture…

As well as gaining popularity thanks to a book, Westward Ho! is also mentioned in a song by Half Man Half Biscuit reminiscing about holidaying in the town and is also included in a set of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. The poet and author, best known for the Jungle Book, grew up in Westward Ho! attending school there, his collection of stories, Stalky and Co, is based on his experiences while at school in the village, to commemorate this, you’ll find the first stanza of his poem, If, set into the pavement on the promenade.

Things to do…

Being a popular destination and centrally located, there are plenty of things to occupy you in and around Westward Ho!. There are a number of charming cafes and tearooms as well as restaurants and take aways within the village making it an ideal spot for self catering holidays.

  1. Places to Stay in Westward Ho!
    Places to Stay in Westward Ho!
    Westward Ho!’s popularity as a seaside resort has been evident since the Victorian era. There are a host of attractions and the beautiful North Devon coast right on the doorstep, making it ideal for a family holiday.
  2. What's On in Westward Ho!
    What's On in Westward Ho!
    There are a host of regular events taking place Westward Ho! with a number of well loved events being held every year. One event usually held in May is the Festival of Kites, which takes advantage of the geography of the area.
  3. Food & Drink in Westward Ho!
    Food & Drink in Westward Ho!
    There are a host of amazing places to eat and drink in Westward Ho! which suits every budget and taste. There are a wide choice of cafés, pubs, restaurants, bars and takeaways all over the village and being on the coast you can be sure of the very best, fresh seafood and fish which you can even see being brought in that morning.
  4. Things to Do in Westward Ho!
    Things to Do in Westward Ho!
    Being a hugely popular destination and centrally located, with easy access to all the award winning beaches in the region, Westward Ho! is the perfect destination for those that love a bit of adventure.

Number of results:

Number of results: 21

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  1. The Waterfront Inn

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    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 153 review(s)from 153 review(s)

    The Waterfront Inn

    Bideford

    Bed & Breakfast Westward Ho! North Devon beside an award winning beach.

  2. The Waterfront Inn

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    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 153 review(s)from 153 review(s)

    The Waterfront Inn

    Bideford

    Family Friendly Inn located in the heart of Westward Ho! Open plan bar with games room, beer gardens and children’s play area. Serving breakfast, food all day and wide…

  3. The Pier House

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    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 1869 review(s)from 1869 review(s)

    The Pier House

    Bideford

    Where the beach ends and the cliff begins is Westward Ho! ‘s only seafront bar and bistro. Located in North Devon’s most unique settings perched majestically on the cliff…

  4. cliff edge

    Add Seafield Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 71 review(s)from 71 review(s)

    Seafield Holiday Park

    Westward Ho!

    Seafield is a family-run, self catering holiday park in the picturesque village of Westward Ho!

  5. golden bay holiday village purple flowers

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    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 72 review(s)from 72 review(s)

    Golden Bay Holiday Village

    Bideford

    Golden Bay Holiday Village, in the heart of Westward Ho! on the breath-taking North Devon coastline, has been run by the Hall family since 2005 it was built on the grounds of…

  6. New Years Day Dip

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    New Years Day Dip

    Westward Ho!

    Westward Ho! Business Association is back for another year, the ONLY way to Start 2019 is with us on this fine morning!
    Want to start 2019 in style? With friends, family,…

  7. New Years Day Fancy Dress Dip

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    New Years Day Fancy Dress Dip

    Westward Ho!

    Want to start 2020 in style in tradition at Westward Ho!? With friends, family, neighbors, fellow villagers, visitors...all together loving life? We are back for the third…

  8. Westward Ho! Ho! Ho! Night

    Add Westward Ho! Ho! Ho! Night to your Itinerary

    Westward Ho! Ho! Ho! Night

    Westward Ho!

    Westward Ho! Ho! Ho! night is our family celebration just before Christmas. We hold this one every year to kick off the festive season with some Westward Ho! spirit and style…

  9. Day Of The Dead Festival

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    Day Of The Dead Festival

    Unit 3, Latitude 51, Westward Ho!

    Celebration of life....Day of the Dead festival is back for a 2nd year at Westward Ho!
    Walking parade, free entertainment and a finale of Fireworks. All starts from 5.30pm.

  10. Westward Ho! National Sandcastle Competition

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    Westward Ho! National Sandcastle Competition

    Westward Ho!

    The North Devon Hospice National Sandcastle Competition had sat dormant for many years, we resurrected it last year....Westward Ho! has an amazing beach for this, there are…

  11. Soul Intention at The Pier House

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    Soul Intention at The Pier House

    Bideford

    A 10-piece big sound soul band playing songs from the “Commitments” and the “Blues Bros” with just a sprinkling of Motown hits too – music people of all ages love to dance to.

  12. Westward Ho! Festival Of Kites

    Add Westward Ho! Festival Of Kites to your Itinerary

    Westward Ho! Festival Of Kites

    Westward Ho!

    We have the most amazing beach for kites at Westward Ho! There are so many different types of kites, ways to use them for fun, we are getting them all together for one day…

  13. SOUL INTENTION

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    SOUL INTENTION

    Westward Ho!, Bideford

    Soul Intention 10 piece big sound dance band are back at the Pier House playing soul and Motown tunes you know and love. Doors open 7.30pm for band to play from 8.30pm. …

  14. Burlesque and Dinner

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    Burlesque and Dinner

    Bideford

    30th July 2022 Dinner and Burlesque

    The event includes a 3 course mouth watering dinner, which includes options for Vegetarians, Vegans and Coeliacs, you will need to…

  15. National Sandcastle Competition

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    National Sandcastle Competition

    Devon

    The North Devon Hospice National Sandcastle Competition has sat dormant for a few years now....Westward Ho! has an amazing beach for this, we have some spirited builders here…

  16. Soul Intention New Years Eve at The Pier House

    Add Soul Intention New Years Eve at The Pier House to your Itinerary

    Soul Intention New Years Eve at The Pier House

    Westward Ho, Bideford

    A 10-piece big sound soul band playing songs from the “Commitments” and the “Blues Bros” with just a sprinkling of Motown hits too – music people of all ages love to dance to…

  17. Westward Ho! Festival Of Kites

    Add Westward Ho! Festival Of Kites to your Itinerary

    Westward Ho! Festival Of Kites

    Westward Ho!

    We have the most amazing beach for kites at Westward Ho! There are so many different types of kites, ways to use them for fun, we are getting them all together for one day…

  18. Beachside Holiday Park

    Add Beachside Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Beachside Holiday Park

    Bideford

    Beachside Holiday Park in Westward Ho! Devon is an award winning well maintained, self-catering holiday park right on the sea front with a range of static caravans &…

  19. Westward Ho! Beach

    Add Westward Ho! Beach to your Itinerary

    Westward Ho! Beach

    Bideford

    Westward Ho! is a beach geared up to cater for every tourist's needs. With seaside shops, toilets and a range of food outlets, Westward Ho! is a popular family beach.

  20. Tea on the Green

    Add Tea on the Green to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 1041 review(s)from 1041 review(s)

    Tea on the Green

    Westward Ho, Bideford

    Tea on the Green is an intimate family run tea room located in Westward Ho! North Devon. All our cakes are homemade right here on the premises and there are always gluten…

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