Choose somewhere with a sea view this summer

27th February 2020

Categories: Visitor News

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be whiling away the winter months by thinking about the summer and where you’re planning to go for your holidays, so to help you make a decision and get the booking made, we’ve compiled a few suggestions for you. All these places in Devon have sea views, whether that’s because they’re right on the sea front or overlooking the coast, perfect for those of you who love the golden trio of sun, sand and sea!

As Devon is blessed with two coastlines, you have plenty of places to choose from and with many of the beaches having been awarded Blue Flag status or being part of the region’s AONB, you can be sure of some beautiful views too.

For gorgeous views and the perfect conditions for watersports, take a look at the accommodation options around the North of the county. The coastline here is one of the most impressive in the UK and regularly top polls as being among the best beaches in Europe.

Image: Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park.

For a family friendly option, take a look at Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park.  This quiet park offers a sanctuary of peace where you can enjoy a lovely holiday and being set into a valley gives you beautiful sea views whether you’re up high or down low. The surrounding woodland is also ideal for those bringing their dogs with them or just those that fancy a bit of exploring.

Basing yourself here also means that you can enjoy a variety of beach days at Combe Martin, Ilfracombe and Woolacombe, which are all nearby. Because this area is hugely popular with holiday makers, there are a whole host of interesting attractions nearby if you fancy dragging yourself away from the beach for a few hours. The Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park  is just a short journey away and Watermouth Family Theme Park and Castle is less than 2 miles distance. 

In neighbouring Ilfracombe, you’ll find Sandaway Beach Holiday Park. This park is perfect for family holidays and is set on the edge of a cliff giving you some incredible views of the ocean and it even has its own private beach, Mermaid Cove, where you can indulge in that age old activity – rock pooling! 
For something a little bit different in the Combe Martin area, take a look at Longlands. This glamping retreat offers five beautifully furnished luxury safari lodges with King sized beds, ensuite showers and wash rooms and they’re dog friendly! These lodges overlook the coast and come with just about everything you could want from your accommodation – plus it’s a unique way of staying near the coast!

Just a little way along the coast is Woolacombe, another popular spot for beach lovers. The beach at Woolacombe is one of the region’s award winning beaches and the town is surrounded by several beaches, all with their own charms and amazing views. Because the beach is such a big draw, there are several options when it comes to accommodation.

Image: Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park.

One option is Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park  which is on Sandy Lane. Its described as being a premium seaside holiday park and has a beach directly on its doorstep with it being visible from the majority of the holiday homes. You can even choose what kind of property you want to stay in while there, choose from caravans, apartments, surf lodges (these come with private hot tubs!) and the unique surf pods!
The park also has an excellent choice of facilities and entertainment all year round that is suitable for the whole family so you don’t even need to leave the complex if you don’t want to.

Another holiday park in Woolacombe is Twitchen House, this one is a little different from your usual holiday park as it is hidden away with an historic Edwardian manor house on site. The park is connected to the South West Coast Path and has a little footpath that will lead you down to the beach area. Like most parks, it has a wide range of activities available onsite including its own cinema! 

The village of Westward Ho! is another good choice for anyone who is on the look out for a beachside holiday. Seafield Holiday Park can be found on a cliff top and overlooks the award winning beach and has views out towards Lundy Island. There’s plenty of things to see and do on site and in the village itself, but you’ve also got top attractions such as The Big Sheep  in the vicinity where you can catch the world famous sheep races! Seafield Holiday Park is owned by the same team as at Braddicks Holiday Centre  which can also be found in Westward Ho!. This is a great choice for anyone who wants an adventure holiday, the site itself is right on the beach and you can easily access both watersports facilities and coastal pathways, so whatever kind of mood you’re in you can find an activity that best suits you!

Another choice is the Golden Bay Holiday Village which is right in the heart of Westward Ho! and offers a range of accommodation options all of which are fully equipped and the park itself has a host of onsite activities to keep you entertained when you’re not at the beach.

Image: Golden Bay Holiday Village.

While we’re in the North of the county, we can’t not mention a few of the hotels in the region.  Heddons Gate Hotel is based in the Barnstaple area. this hotel is set up high giving you plenty of panoramic views of the ocean and is only a short distance from both Lynton and Combe Martin – so there is plenty of scope for exploring.

For more dramatic views, book a stay at the Hartland Quay Hotel ​​​​​​​ which is right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is accessible via a slipway which is also suitable for wheelchair users and you can easily pick up the South West Coast Path as well as explore the Hartland Peninsula which is full of rich history and incredible sights.

Image: Hartland Quay Hotel.

It isn’t just Devon’s northern towns that have amazing coastal areas to explore. One popular destination towards the south of the county is the English Riviera known for its warm weather, lovely beaches and the palm trees that grow around its towns. Being a former regency area, the hotels and accommodation options here are often grand and as it is also the former home of Agatha Christie, there are plenty of historic and literary connections to enjoy here too.

Start your search in Brixham, as the UK’s busiest fishing port, the sea food in the area is enviable and there are plenty of sea views to be found.
For those of you who want to get back to nature, enjoy a spot of camping at Galmpton Touring Park. Book a pitch and use your tent or campervan and enjoy the proximity to Torbay’s major attractions or just enjoy the view from the site – it’s up to you!

If camping isn’t for you but you like the idea of being self-catering so you can enjoy the many fish dishes, take a look at Harbour Reach Holidays. These self-contained flats have views over the harbour and are the perfect home from home. Though you’ll be captivated by the ongoing activity in the harbour, the many things to see and do across the Torbay are easily accessible from here. You can also enjoy some incredible sights by going on a ride with the Dartmouth Steam Railway which takes in some of the most picturesque views of the area and has a route that will take you to Agatha Christie’s holiday home, Greenway, which is now managed by the National Trust and has a full calendar of events all year round.

Not really one for holidaying with children? We’ve got you covered too. The Driftwood Boutique B&B in the heart of Brixham Harbour is an adults only property and all the bedrooms have views across the ocean and towards the harbour. It’s ideal for anyone wanting a quiet, get away!

In neighbouring Torquay, have a real rest and some relaxation at the Headland Hotel and Spa. Set in one of the most beautiful parts of the town and with a hydro spa this is the perfect place to relax in a tranquil environment. Booking a stay here will put you in the centre of the action, with Living Coasts  being less than a mile away and Torquay’s Dinosaur World  also being nearby. The Prehistoric Caves at Kent’s Cavern ​​​​​​​ are also easily accessible from here for a unique heritage experience.

If you really want to experience the views of Torquay’s Victorian era, take a look at the Haytor Hotel ​​​​, originally built in the 1830s, this former Victorian villa has stunning gardens and a sun terries and is just 400 meters from the harbour and is a short distance from Meadgate Beach. The hotel also has a range of accessible facilities with a number of the hotel’s spaces designed with those with accessibility needs in mind.

Image: Imperial Torquay.

Another former Victorian building is the Imperial Torquay ​​​​​​​which is overlooking Torbay and the beautiful Devon coast. Spread over seven floors, the hotel has plenty of space and with its health and beauty centre and its popular restaurant, you can really enjoy a luxury stay with equally luxurious views.

For a self- catering option, Riviera Apartments  has a collection of five apartments in the town of Teignmouth overlooking the seafront. This delightful resort allows you to easily access Shaldon, Dartmouth, Exeter and of course the rest of the English Riviera. Just along the road you have Paignton with its zoo and its own charm. Beverley Holidays Paignton  has a multitude of onsite facilities and entertainment and has stunning sea views stretching along the coast, including the Blue Flag Goodrington Sands beach, which can be easily accessed from the park.

If you want to do a spot of watersports, don’t worry you don’t have to miss out just because you’re in the south of Devon. There are a number of businesses in the English Riviera offering equipment, tuition and guided tours on kayaks, jet skis and more. Take a look at what is offered by Jet Set Go​​​​​​​! And Sea Kayak Torbay ​​​​​​​ to make the most of the coast. 

Of course, we can’t not mention the views of the Jurassic Coast. Sidmouth is one of the many towns that form part of this ancient coastline which is perfect for rock pooling. As well as the main beach, you’ll also find Jacob’s Ladder and the award winning Connaught Gardens in the town, all of which are well worth a visit. The Royal York and Faulkner Hotel is a regency hotel right on the Esplanade with uninterrupted views of Sidmouth’s beach, Lyme Bay and the Jurassic cliffs.

Image: The Belmont Hotel

The Belmont Hotel ​​​​​​​ is part of the Brend Hotel chain and offers luxury stays and beautiful views. One of the most popular activities here is to relax on the terrace with a cream tea while taking in the views over Lyme Bay.
There are plenty of other things to see and do while in the Sidmouth area or around east Devon, including visiting the Donkey Sanctuary where you can meet some of the resident donkeys and take part in various themed activities. Bicton Park is also nearby, enjoy the botanical gardens or learn more about the area with their countryside museum.

Beautiful views are also found in the South Hams. Area of Devon. Head to Kingsbridge, a charming town near Salcombe which is pretty and has plenty of things to see and do. The Thurlestone Hotel ​​​​​​​ is a four star luxury hotel and has a number of spa facilities on site. It is just five minutes from the beach and is perfect for families and couples, as well as those visiting for business.

If you like the sound of Kingsbridge, another option for you is Ocean Reach, these holiday homes all have sea views and are located on Bolberry Down which is managed by the National Trust. There are a number of pretty coastal areas in this area, including Hope Cove and Bigbury on Sea where you can ride the famous sea tractor over to Burgh Island. For those of you who want to do a spot of camping in this beautiful setting, head to Slapton Sands which is managed by the Camping and Caravanning Club. The site consists of 105 pitches, most of which have lovely views over the sea and are close to the Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and public transport links to Plymouth and the surrounding towns and villages.

Image: Slapton Sands

If you’re the kind of person who wants city amenities and a sea view, head to Plymouth where you can have the best of both worlds! The Flete Estate is on the outskirts of the city and is a lovely setting for a seaside holiday. Choose from nine self catering cottages all set within an AONB and with easy access to the South West Coast Path, these delightful cottages are full of character and surrounded by wildlife.

Feeling inspired about a holiday in Devon with a sea view? You can find more accommodation options here.