Where to stay for a family holiday in North Devon

The summer holidays will be here before we know it – so don’t miss out on your family’s chance of booking a break in North Devon! With some of the UK’s best loved attractions, parts of the Exmoor National Park to explore and the UK’s first surf reserve, North Devon is the premium destination for family adventures!

For families who want to be by the coast

If you want to spend your time indulging in watersports, relaxing on the sand or just enjoying the sea breeze, you’ll be spoiled for choice – there are hotels, campsites and holiday parks all along the coastline offering a range of accommodation options.

Surfers, in particular, will want to book a stay at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park, not only is the impressive Woolacombe Beach right on the doorstep, but it is home to Surf Village – a park within a park that is the perfect destination for watersports enthusiasts. This spacious ultra-premium location has a choice of accommodation options, all with large decking and car parking for two vehicles, plus your own hot tub – ideal for relaxing and resting those muscles after spending your days battling the waves.

Whether you choose to stay in Surf Village or the wider park area, you’re guaranteed a fun stay – there are family-friendly activities taking place all day and entertainment every night, as well as a host of facilities, including various adventure golfs, climbing walls and gym, all of which are for guests for use.

If you have a very active family and want access to a range of facilities right on the doorstep, Golden Coast Leisure Park is the destination for you. Not only do you have Woolacombe Beach next door and a host of caravans, lodges, villas, apartments and touring pitches, you also have a plethora of high adrenaline activities, swimming pools, surfing simulators and a whole lot more! There is so much at the park in fact, that you don’t ever need to leave!

Being so close to Woolacombe Beach means you can spend your time at one of Britain’s best beaches, as well as a host of attractions and activities.

Elsewhere, Braddicks Holiday Park is located next to Westward Ho! beach, another that is popular with surfers and families. There are several accommodation options to choose from to suit every taste and budget. This park is also dog friendly with a designated dog exercise area and with free WiFi in all accommodations, you don’t have to miss out on streaming your favourite shows if there is bad weather.

Image: Braddicks

Another site in Westward Ho! is Beachside Holiday Park, which slopes gently down to the award-winning blue flag beach. As well as being a good option for those that like watersports, Westward Ho! is also great for rock pooling, building sand castles and relaxing  - it’s a great all round beach. Beachside Holiday Park features a range of static caravans and apartments, some featuring hot tubs and with a number of dog friendly options too. 

Staying in the Westward Ho! area will also give you a chance to explore some of the region’s best loved attractions, including the Big Sheep in nearby Bideford.

One of the best surfing beaches in North Devon is Croyde Bay, which is known as being a real surfers’ paradise. The village of Croyde is full of surf schools and places to hire boards and everything else you might need for a surfing holiday. For a family friendly stay nearby, check out Parkdean Resort’s Ruda Holiday Park.  The park itself is just a short stroll away from Croyde Village and is a stone’s throw from the beach. The site features waterslides, heated pools, amusements, plenty of eateries and kid’s clubs, so the parents can have some R and R too.

For families looking for some adventure

Looking to get the blood pumping? Book a stay at Watermouth Castle apartments where you not only have a comfortable home from home but also free unlimited entry into the Watermouth Castle Family Theme Park! The apartments and theme park are located within 50 acres on the Watermouth Castle Estate, nestled on the edge of Exmoor National Park, surrounded by beautiful views of the coastline and the countryside.

Image: Watermouth Castle

There is adventure to be had for those with additional needs too, Calvert Exmoor is an accessible residential activity centre that specialises in breaks for people with a whole host of additional needs and their families and friends. The onsite activities include everything from horse riding to zip wires and canoeing to swimming pools and evening entertainment.

While there is lots to do onsite, with plenty of trained staff on hand, choosing a stay here will also put you within easy reach of the Exmoor National park, a host of beautiful beaches, some of which have beach wheelchairs on hand and Exmoor Zoo. Located on the edge of the National Park, the zoo has interactive encounter sessions running throughout the day and has facilities for anyone who has additional needs, including  being mostly level across the site and having mobility aids available for guests.

For families looking to reconnect with nature

Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy the natural world this summer is by camping and there are several delightful campsites around North Devon, giving you easy access to both the beaches and the countryside. You can find a host of different options for camping here but one site that is great for families and offers a relaxing environment where you can really enjoy nature is Riverside Caravan and camping park. 

This 5 star site on the edge of Dartmoor is pet-friendly and open all year. Featuring premium fully serviced pitches for a range of camping options, including caravans, tents, RVs and motorhomes and with a modern restaurant and bar offering meals throughout the day, this is a great option for families. The site is large and flat, allowing plenty of space to play and the River Mile, which runs through the centre, is safe for swimming and paddling as well as fishing.

Or if camping isn’t really your thing, why not glamp instead? Glamping is as it suggests – glamorous camping. Here you can sleep under canvas, but in an actual bed, with heating, electricity and private showers – it gives you the best of both worlds!

Old Pound Smithy near Bideford welcomes families and children of all ages and is a truly wonderful experience. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in nature without sacrificing comfort and each of the bell tents and yurt are fully equipped with everything you need for a self-catering break. The Yurt is located in a secluded spot with access to a lake and fields while the bell tents are within the Drifters’ Village. The tents all feature hand-crafted furniture and a private deck, where you can enjoy the sunshine. It’s a great place for escaping the stresses of everyday life and conveniently located for exploring the region’s family attractions and beaches.

Image: Old Pound Smithy

Ready to book your family holiday?
We’ll see you there!