Top Tips to maximise the adventure in North Devon

20th January 2020

Categories: Visitor News

Top Tips to maximise the adventure in North Devon 

North Devon and Exmoor is known as England’s Adventure Coast so we wanted to share our top tips on how to maximise the adventures you experience during your visit to the area. From dipping your toes into the sea at one of our amazing beaches to coasteering along the rocky coves along the South West Coast Path, there’s adventure to be found for the whole family no matter where in North Devon your holiday takes you.

Accomodation

The first stage of planning your holiday is finding the perfect accomodation for you which compliments your sense of adventure.

 Ruda Holiday Park is the perfect destination for families who are looking for a holiday park with plenty of on-site activities to enjoy from Cascades Family Adventure Pool to the adventure playground where little ones can run wild. It is also on the doorstep to Croyde Village where you can sunbathe in the summer or surf in the sea all year round. 

If being close-by to the beach is a requirement, Putsborough Sands Caravan Park is a great choice for campers; being only five minutes away from Putsborough Sands (which has amazing surf), it’s a great choice for those who like the great outdoors and escape the stresses of everyday life alongside the tranquility and peace camping provides. 

If you’d rather swap adrenaline-fuelled adventures for something more relaxing, we’d recommend checking out Saunton Sands Hotel! The views are second-to-none, but their on-site spa with a thermal suite and treatments, are perfect for a relaxing retreat to the coast. 

For keen golfers, we’d recommend Easwell Farm Holiday Park. You can choose from camping, bringing your own caravan or enjoying one of their two farmhouses with gorgeous views. What makes this accomodation unique is that it is also home to a nine-hole professional golf course with sea views. 

There are so many options to choose from in North Devon from hotels by Barnstaple for shopping to bed and breakfasts in Clovelly. Check out the array of accomodation options here - if you’d like any recommendations you can use our contact form.

Book ahead

Booking ahead not only guarantees yourself and your family entry to some of North Devon’s greatest attractions (which is essential during peak season) but it can also save you money by booking ahead. The Big Sheep and The Milky Way Adventure Park offer amazing all-weather days out for the family including soft play, daring death slides and outdoor roller coasters amongst other attractions - a fun-filled day for all ages to enjoy.

For something a little different, shooting is a very popular activity in North Devon. No matter if you’re a beginner or an expert, you can enjoy clay pigeon shooting at some of North Devon’s best shooting areas, including: Molland Estate (North Molton), Mornacott Shoot (Between North Molton, South Molton and Molland - known as Devon’s famous shooting triangle) and The Duntz shoot (alongside the River Duntz). 

For an adventure that focuses on the beautiful nature we have, then you must pencil in a visit to some of our best parks and gardens. From the beautiful landscapes of RHS Rosemoor to Clovelly Court Gardens and the many local parks within North Devon, it’s a must-see in the spring and summer whilst also being educational for children and adults.

Check the weather

Whilst this might sound obvious, checking the weather ahead can make sure your adventure doesn’t get cut short. When the sun is shining, North Devon boasts some of the largest, unspoilt beaches in the UK. From sunbathing to surfing, from coasteering to cricket, make sure you visit the golden sands and pebble shorelines. 

Exmoor Zoo is also a fantastic day out where you can experience a truly unique rural zoo set into a valley in North Devon - home to an array of animals including meerkats, lemurs, lions, parrots and even the infamous Exmoor Beast! 

For rainier days, there are lots of choices to make whilst still maximising your sense of adventure. For little ones, The Quay Indoor Soft Play, in Braunton, is a natural-themed play area that they will certainly enjoy whilst parents enjoy a warm cup of tea. Or why not visit one of the UK’s remaining glass factories? Dartington Crystal in Torrington is the true home of British glass making. Here you’re able create your own souvenir in their glass-painting studio and even take the self-guided tour around the factory to see how the glass is made and sculpted at every stage.

North Devon also has a large choice of free days out you can choose from. Galleries, museums, the South West Coast path and cycling adventures can all be enjoyed on the South West coast. 

Image credit: North Devon Wake Park

Try something new

The best memories come from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and North Devon has plenty of new experiences for you to try out. Why not add horse riding to your next itinerary? Gallop along an empty beach or have a ride across the moor, no matter your experience you can enjoy the scenery from the saddle. 

Fishing is another popular activity with locals and something visitors can enjoy too, bring along your fishing equipment and try the waters around Ilfracombe, Appledore or Clovelly to see what you can catch. Crabbing in Appledore is also a lot of fun too! However, do check any regulations alongside the coast as areas, such as Lundy Island, prohibit fishing. 

Another recommendation is to visit North Devon Wake Park; there is a stunning lake, a wooden clubhouse, undercover decking as well as so many activities available to enjoy on-site. Choose from wakeboarding, paddleboarding and ringo which all vary in intensity, speed and excitement. It will definitely get your heart pumping with adrenaline whilst creating memories with your family or friends.

Live in the moment!

In order to enjoy all that North Devon has to offer, we’d recommend putting your phones away - instead of looking down at a screen, make sure you look up and take in the spectacular views that the area has to offer. North Devon is a great place to escape from the stresses of everyday life with the relaxing way of life. A social media detox 

However, if you can’t resist taking photos of the area, we don’t blame you. Be sure to share your snaps with us on Facebook and Twitter, and use the hashtag #LoveNorthDevon and #EnglandsAdventureCoast in your Instagram captions and we might re-post your image to our social accounts.