North Devon & Exmoor: England's Adventure Coast

In line with government guidance, we are asking people to stay at home and avoid travelling for the time being.

We are a rural community – visiting the area will put extra strain on our local NHS services and will endanger lives, so it is important that  people do not to travel here at this time.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back to our beautiful area as soon as we can.

A message from Selaine Saxby - Member of Parliament for North Devon - Covid-19

These are uncertain times which are difficult for us all to deal with. Yesterday I spoke to many businesses who were grappling with balancing the best for their customers, staff and business. Following the Chancellor's announcement many of our best-known hotels and holiday parks took the difficult to decision to close last night. I very much hope that other tourist and leisure businesses will follow their lead and not encourage more visitors to North Devon at this difficult time.
Whilst pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and cafes were left with no option but to close, I recognise it is difficult for businesses that have to take the decision themselves. We must "Stay at Home ... Protect the NHS ... Save Lives" and this should influence your decision. This does not mean stay in a holiday home or indulge in non-essential travel with your motorhome or caravan.
Our fantastic North Devon District Hospital simply does not have sufficient critical care facilities to deal with any significant changes in population numbers.
I would like to reassure everyone here in North Devon that I am working tirelessly to address this. In the past 24 hours I have been in touch with our Council Leaders, Ministers and Number Ten to see what can be done to stop visitors to us at this time.
I very much hope anyone even thinking about coming to North Devon makes the right decision and doesn't. Right now I urge you to #StaySafeStayHome. I also hope that holiday parks and campsites that are still open use the extensive new support detailed by the Chancellor last night to enable them to take the right decision and close their doors to protect our NHS and Save Lives.
These are unprecedented times, and I know we will welcome our visitors with open arms as soon as we can, but unfortunately, that time is not now.

When asked what they love about North Devon & Exmoor, everyone's answer is different. One thing is constant though: it's the perfect playground for doing what you love. Be it spending time with the family, walking the dog, eating out or celebrating with friends, to the people that live here, and visit here, North Devon & Exmoor really is the perfect place.

Diverse range of attractions

North Devon is probably best known for its award-winning coastline, much of which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The golden sandy beaches are perfect for rock-pooling, swimming and surfing, in fact, much of the coast is the UK’s top surfing spot. Combine this with dramatic coastlines, rugged moors and verdant valleys that all demand to be explored and you’ll never be short of things to do. 

If you love being outdoors, this is the perfect part of the country to visit. Take part in a whole host of thrill seeking activities from surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and more in the coastal areas or get on your bike or pull on your hiking boots and explore the scenery.

Exmoor is full of beautiful walking trails and wildlife, including the famous Exmoor ponies, which wander wild around the moor – there is something very special about settling down for a picnic following a bracing walk and watching the ponies against the backdrop of the moor.

Plus there is the famous Tarka Trail, named after Tarka the Otter. It isn’t just an otter that is a literary star around these parts, Lora Doone is based in Exmoor and the village of Westward Ho! got it’s name from a novel! 

North Devon and Exmoor isn’t just an area for the outdoorsy types, the region has a whole host of amazing attractions, great local food and drink. Ilfracombe in particular is becoming famous for being a foodie hot spot and with the region being popular with families and holiday makers, there are restaurants, cafes and bars offering every type of cuisine you could possibly imagine.

Incredible places to stay

Whether you want somewhere with a sea view, somewhere deep in the country, something a little luxurious or something on a budget, you’ll find the perfect place to stay in North Devon.

You’ll find everything from quirky guesthouses to holiday parks filled with family friendly facilities to hotels with spas and award winning restaurants. Do you want somewhere with lots of space for the whole family or somewhere cosy and intimate for a romantic get away? You’ll be spoiled for choice here in North Devon. 

Fascinating towns and villages

North Devon and Exmoor is full of charming market towns and quaint villages that attract visitors by their thousands. Take a trip to Clovelly and witness the cobbled streets and traditional cottages, or head to Barnstaple, the oldest and largest town in the region. For seaside resorts, take a look at the towns of Woolacombe, Westward Ho!, Bideford and Ilfracombe or for the ultimate surfer’s paradise, Croyde and Saunton are the places to be!

A wealth of cultural experiences await you in North Devon & Exmoor.