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24 Hours in Woolacombe

10th October 2019

Categories: Visitor News

The summer might be over for now, but that doesn’t mean that a beach holiday in one of Devon’s most popular locations is out of the question. Whether you’re already planning for next year or you fancy a beachside break before the winter hits, why not take a look at Woolacombe in North Devon?

Image: Woolacombe Beach.

This charming area of North Devon has long been popular has a holiday hot spot because of the number of award winning beaches, but that isn’t the only thing it has going for it. Here are our suggestions of how to spend 24 hours in Woolacombe.

Firstly, we need somewhere to lay our heads after spending the day out and about and of course, a base to drop off stuff during the day. Being such a popular tourist destination means that there is a lot to choose from when it comes to accommodation options.

If you want to stay somewhere with lots of onsite facilities, take a look at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park. Not only does this park have the beach on its doorstep but it also has some breathtaking views and a whole host of accommodation options from caravans, holiday homes, apartments, lodges and even a surf pod to choose from.

Image: Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park.

Alternatively, Twitchen House Holiday Park is a hidden gem with lots of onsite entertainment. Set among trees with an historic Edwardian manor house, woodland walks and a path connecting to the South West Coastal Path it is a great base for those of you looking for an adventure. Families will also love Golden Coast Holiday Park, they have a range of pet-friendly accommodation as well as all the facilities you’d come to expect from a premier holiday park. It’s perfect for those with active teenagers who will love the climbing walls, hire wires and all weather sports complex. If you don’t fancy a park, take a look at the hotels, guesthouses and self-catering options here.

Image: Golden Coast Holiday Park.

Now we’ve got some idea of where to stay, what can you get up to while in Woolacombe?

Well, you can’t come to North Devon and not spend some time at the beach. This area of Devon is known for how beautiful the coastline is and Woolacombe’s main beach frequently tops Best Beaches lists. Woolacombe Beach stretches across three miles and comprises of beautiful golden sand and sand dunes with views across to Lundy Island.
Aside from Woolacombe Beach, you’ll find Barricane Beach which is a designated site of Scientific Interest and has lots of wildlife, Combesgate Beach, which is perfect for swimming and Grunta, a much smaller beach which is quieter, no matter what time of year you come. At the far end of Woolacombe’s main beach you have Putsborough Beach.

Image: Barricane Beach.

The beaches in this area are great for relaxing and doing a spot of sun catching, plus they look incredible at all times of day. This area of North Devon is ideal for fans of water sports, in fact the whole of North Devon is perfect for surfers and you don’t even have to be a pro as you’ll find plenty of businesses on the seafront hiring out equipment as well as offering training sessions, guided tours of the bay by board or boat and a whole host of other fun water based activities.
As the tide goes out, these beaches are a haven for those who like rock pooling and with the abundance of wildlife that can be found, particularly at Barricane Beach, you’re sure to find something a little exciting! Despite these beaches being popular, they are large enough for you to be able to find spots offering you space and privacy for however long you want to spend there. Woolacombe is also a great destination for those of you travelling with your dogs, not only are there dog friendly options when it comes to your accommodation as we mentioned above, but there are lots of walks and dogs are welcome on the beaches all year around, with a few restrictions in the summer months.

Aside from the beaches, Woolacombe has plenty more to offer. The village falls within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and much of the surrounding countryside and attractions are managed by the National Trust so there are plenty of walks and landmarks for you to visit during your time here. Being a tourist destination, the region has lots in the way of eateries too, take a look at what’s on offer here.

If you fancy heading out and exploring the wider area, Woolacombe is a great base as it’s fairly close to all the popular areas of North Devon. Close by are Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Saunton Sands, Croyde and of course Lundy Island, where you can take part in diving sessions and can meet some incredible wildlife from seals to puffins.

Image: Woolacombe Beach.

So, there you have it, a few ways that you can spend 24 hours in Woolacombe! Are you planning a trip before the end of the year or adding it to your shortlist for next year’s summer holiday? Let us know, you can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.