Appledore

Characterised by winding narrow streets and colourful houses, the charming village of Appledore sits at the confluence of the Taw and Torridge rivers with views across to Instow; it’s little surprise that the village is built on a tradition of fishing and boat building which still continues today.
Barnstaple

As the social centre of North Devon, Barnstaple always has lots to do; whether it’s meeting friends for dinner and a night out, taking in a show at the Queen’s Theatre, or browsing the appealing mix of big brand shops and traditional family businesses along the High Street.
Braunton and Saunton

Braunton – gateway to the northern coast. Its proximity to North Devon’s famous beaches is reflected in the surf culture of the town – a great place to drop into the numerous surf shops, hire a board or even discover the roots of our surfing origins at the Museum of British Surfing.
Bideford

Make Bideford your base and you’ll have the best in pubs, music and restaurants to satisfy every palate. Visit the historic Pannier Market or wander through the traffic free lanes, and you’ll find Bideford is the perfect place for a spot of retail therapy.
Clovelly

World-famous Clovelly is a true gem of North Devon, offering staggering views across Bideford Bay and a more relaxed way of life. The picturesque historic houses can be found winding their way down the wooded hillside, to the traditional fishing harbour on the coast.
Combe Martin

Come to Combe Martin and you’ll have all the ingredients for a perfect North Devon holiday – secluded sandy beaches, dramatic coastal scenery and lots to do nearby.
Croyde

The pretty village of Croyde is one of North Devon’s most renowned seaside locations, due to its excellent surf, beautiful scenery and vibrant village feel. As a surfing mecca, you’ll find numerous places to hire equipment and arrange lessons. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not explore the coast with an exhilarating coasteerin
Exmoor

Exmoor National Park is a surprise to most people. Easily accessible from a variety of Devon towns, including South Molton, Barnstaple and Tiverton, Exmoor’s wild and diverse landscape suggests an area far more remote.
Great Torrington

Great Torrington is a friendly and welcoming town, with good local amenities, independent shops and regular local markets. Built on the site of an ancient settlement atop an inland cliff with the River Torridge below, the town enjoys spectacular views across rolling hills and unspoilt green countryside, connected by a network of walking trails.
Hartland Peninsula

Journey west along the coast and you’ll discover the Hartland Peninsula. If you love the outdoors, you’ll find miles of inspiring clifftop walks, secluded beaches and marine wildlife to take in.
Holsworthy

The pretty market town of Holsworthy is situated in the beautiful countryside between Exmoor and Dartmoor, surrounded by green rolling hills and wooded valleys.
$Ilfracombe in North Devon$

Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe’s reputation as the culinary and cultural hub of North Devon has been steadily growing for the past few years, with many visitors referring to it as the new St. Ives. The seaside town is home to renowned artist Damien Hirst’s famous 20m high sculpture, Verity and a collection of local galleries featuring a mix of local and international artists.
Instow

The small town of Instow is a great holiday destination all year round, and a firm favourite with families. Tire out the kids with an energetic bike ride along the estuary following the route of the traffic-free Tarka Trail.
Lundy Island

Get away from it all with a trip to spectacular Lundy Island. Lying 12 miles off the coast of North Devon, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel, this peaceful, unspoilt granite outcrop stands just three miles long and half a mile wide.
Lynton, Lynmouth & The Valley of the Rocks

The ancient twinned towns of Lynton and Lynmouth sit on the most northerly coast of Devon, where Exmoor meets the sea. The towns are set between steep hillsides and deep wooded valleys, separated by a dramatic descent; the pretty village of Lynmouth sits at sea level, following the River Lyn down to the sea, whilst Lynmouth sits higher in the trees, full of quaint narrow lanes and independent shops to explore.
Minehead & Porlock Weir

Minehead is considered the northern gateway to Exmoor and offers a superb destination for families seeking a traditional seaside holiday. As the largest town in the area, it offers the perfect opportunity to explore the scenery of Exmoor and The Quantocks and is the starting point for the South West Coast Path. Minehead is also well known for its rail history and is home to the longest heritage railway in England – enjoy a steam train journey through the picturesque countryside for a unique expe
Northam Burrows

The Northam Burrows Country Park is a great place to get outdoors! As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the area is home to a diverse range of natural habitats, including salt marsh, open grassland, rocky shore and sand dunes; it is a haven for all kinds of wildlife, from vivid lichens to coastal birds.
South Molton

As the Gateway to Exmoor, South Molton makes a great base to explore the local area from. Dating back to Saxon times, this classic British market town is formed around a pretty central square with impressive historic buildings to either side – take the town Heritage Trail or visit the award-winning local Museum to find out more. South Molton’s traditional markets take place on Thursdays and Saturdays providing a great opportunity to sample some of the area’s acclaimed local produce – you’ll find
Westward Ho!

Westward Ho! is a picturesque coastal village whose name derives from the Victorian novel by Charles Kingsley, and is unique as the only place in Britain with an exclamation mark in its name! Renowned for its golden sandy beach and backed by a protective pebble ridge, Westward Ho! offers a great venue for surfing with a growing reputation for kite surfing as well.
Woolacombe

Multi award-winning Woolacombe Beach is nothing short of idyllic! Recently voted best beach in Britain, this three mile stretch of golden sand can be found between the headlands of Baggy Point and Morte Point, backed by sand dunes and with views across the ocean to Lundy Island. Having won both the Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities, the resort is popular with locals and visitors alike, not least for its dog-friendly approach.

Villages & Towns in North Devon

Victorian seaside towns teetering on the cliffs, picture postcard fishing villages and small towns and hamlets unchanged for decades are all around you in North Devon.

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, get acquainted with the towns and villages that make up North Devon’s unique attraction.

Plenty of places to visit

In North Devon there are a whole host of beautiful towns and villages, both coastal and rural full of vibrant history, fascinating markets, world famous attractions and of course, plenty of fine food and places to stay.

Market towns like Barnstaple and Bideford are the shopping hubs of North Devon. You’ll find the historic Pannier Markets, plus shopping centres full of your favourite high street names mingled in with local traders selling the very best in unique, locally created products. Food fans will want to spend some time in Ilfracombe. This coastal town is quickly becoming a haven for foodies and is gaining a reputation for the quality of its restaurants, cafes and take aways, especially along Fore Street near the iconic harbour. It is also here that you can catch sight of Verity, Damien Hirst’s famous statue.

It isn’t just the stunning coastlines and the local produce that attract people to North Devon, the region is also full of towns and villages with historical and cultural significance. Westward Ho! for instance is the only place in the UK with an exclamation point in its name, while South Molton is one of the oldest towns in the county.

Culture and history combined

Because it is steeped in history, North Devon is the ideal place to go if you’re someone looking for that quintessentially west country view of thatched cottages, country pubs and wide open spaces. Many of the towns and villages in this part of the county are described as having ‘chocolate box cottages’ and plenty of beautiful fishing villages to explore too.

North Devon is also home to the village of Clovelly. This picturesque fishing village is a unique attraction in its own right – completely free of traffic, it was once owned by the British monarchy and features a 14^th century quay, cobbled streets and fascinating tours.

Take a day trip to Lundy Island

Lundy Island is found in the Bristol Channel and is the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone, where you’ll find a whole host of rare and interesting wildlife and wild flowers. The island is home to the south west’s population of puffins and has a rich diversity of sea birds. The island is protected and has a number of accommodation options that help you get back to times gone by. The island has its own village store and also offers a number of warden led activities, including guided walks, rockpool rambles, snorkel tours and the chance to do caving, rock climbing and sailing.

North Devon’s towns and villages are filled with colourful characters, amazing family attractions and lots of beautiful things to see and do. Why not click here to see what events are taking place around the region and book your next visit?