Inspiration for your post lockdown self-catering break

15th July 2020

Categories: Visitor News

If you’re anything like us, after spending so much time stuck indoors staring at your own walls, you’ll be eager to get away over the summer. After restrictions were further eased on 4^th July, many accommodation providers announced their reopenings, so we thought we’d compile a few suggestions of self-catering properties that are taking bookings throughout the summer.

Of course, once you have your accommodation sorted, you’re going to need things to do. If you’re interested in embarking on a bit of adventure, perhaps some surfing or other watersports, you will want to look at what is available in North Devon, the surfing capital of the south west.

North Devon is covered by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so wherever you choose to stay you’re never too far from glorious countryside views or stunning coastal vistas and with an abundance of fascinating attractions and opportunities to get out and about, it is a good place to take a break after the last few months.

One option for accommodation is Westward Living, which after reopening on 6^th July received its Good to Go accreditation from Visit England, giving you extra peace of mind when you stay. Located in Westward Ho! on the coast, the site comprises of award winning holiday cottages within private grounds leading down to the beach at Westward Ho! You also have access to the South West Coast Path and are close to the Royal North Devon golf course, for those of you keen to get out on the greens. As you might expect, there have been a few changes to the site to make it safe for guests, so for the moment, communal areas remain closed. You can find out more about their new regulations and make bookings on their website or by phone.

Image: Westward Living

Also in North Devon, Woolacombe Bay and Golden Coast Holiday Parks have reopened. Across all the parks in this group, there are a number of facilities including outdoor play, sports and nature activities as well as entertainment being offered, but certainly facilities are unable to operate for everyone’s safety. As their name suggests, Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park can be found in the popular resort of Woolacombe and has spectacular sea views as well as a great selection of accommodation options, so you can chose something that best suits you.
Golden Coast Holiday Park is nearby and has a superb selection of caravans, apartments, pet friendly accommodation, villas and lodges as well as camping and touring pitches and is located right next to one of Britain’s best beaches. One great thing about booking a holiday at one of these holiday parks, is that you are able to use the facilities across all four parks, including those found at Twitchen House Holiday Park.

At all the Woolacombe Bay parks, while they are self-catering, all the bars and restaurants onsite are open with table service, so you can take a break from the cooking too!

If you like the sound of staying at one of these North Devon accommodations and are wondering what you can do to fill your time, you’re in luck. North Devon has a whole host of fun things to see and do, many of which have reopened following the lifting of restrictions on 4^th July. 

Image: Clovelly Village

The historic village of Clovelly​​​​​​​  is a must visit for anyone who loves the idea of stepping back in time, it was once owned by royalty and since then has been in private ownership allowing it to retain its nostalgic atmosphere. The village is once again open to visitors, including the gift shop and a number of cafes and tearooms and the pub is offering take away meals.
If you want something to entertain the children, The Big Sheep has completed a mini refurb to make the site suitable for a post Covid-19 world. They are only open to prebooked visitors and for the moment, you can only explore the outdoor areas, but with a brand new outdoor entertainment centre and the animal residents including sheep, goats, alpacas and pigs ready to welcome you back, you’ll find plenty to do there! The North Devon Wake Park is also a great idea if you have a family group to entertain. Again, you will need to prebook your visit and there are a number of changes to ensure safety and hygiene which you can see on their website when you make your booking.

See more North Devon accommodation options here.

If you are someone who wants a more rural retreat, with plenty of outdoor space, you might be interested in a property in Mid Devon. Staying in the heart of Devon is ideal for anyone who wants to easily explore. From Mid Devon you can easily venture into North, South and East Devon, plus you have the Dartmoor National Park on your doorstep, giving you plenty of options for a day out.

A stay in Mid Devon gives you a chance to stay in a castle, Tiverton Castle isn’t open to the public at the moment, however the self catering properties are still available. Is there anything more romantic than spending a few nights in a historic castle in unspoilt surroundings? Guests have the choice of several accommodation options, including a romantic space for two or larger properties for families. If the idea of staying somewhere a little unusual takes your fancy, take a look at what is on offer from Orchard Retreat in Crediton. This glamping site is family run and offers cottages and a number of handcrafted yurts nestled in a four acre apple orchard, all within a short stroll from their own private bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Image: Orchard Retreat

For a cosy Bed and Breakfast break, take a look at Upton Farm Bed and Breakfast . They’re open with a one party policy, giving you the chance of additional privacy. Set on a working organic dairy farm, this historic thatched bed and breakfast offers quality and comfortable accommodation in relaxing and characteristic surroundings.

Nearby in Tavistock, Langstone Manor Park has also received the Good to Go accreditation. In the heart of the countryside, this is the ideal place to relax away from it all and with your proximity to the Dartmoor National Park, is perfect for anyone wanting a tranquil rural escape. Currently, the self-catering accommodation, mega pods and camping pitches are open for booking, though do keep up to date with them online and on social media for the latest details on their restaurant and other accommodation options.

Like we said, being in Mid Devon gives you access to plenty of things to see and do. One option is a trip to the Bear Trail . They have plans to reopen in early July with online booking only. The Bear Trail is Devon’s muddiest family assault course and is perfect for all ages from toddlers to teenagers, even grandparents! The site will be limiting visitors and there will be additional hand sanitising stations for guests to use. Wildwood Escot ​​​​​​​has also reopened. This animal park run by the Wildwood Trust has been awarded the Good to Go accreditation from Visit England and has put a number of measures in place that can be viewed on their website.

You can find more suggestions of accommodation and things to do in Mid Devon here.

For a chance to explore the Jurassic Coast, head to East Devon where you’ll find a range of accommodation providers giving you the chance to go rockpooling, crabbing and fossil hunting along those impressive cliffs.

Oakdown Holiday Park is the perfect place for caravan or glamping holidays. Based on the outskirts of Sidmouth, they are just a stone’s throw from the village of Beer as well as places like Seaton and Lyme Regis.

Hawkchurch Resort and Spa in Axeminster is another option for anyone wanting to be in the east of the county. As well as the accommodation being open, the restaurant is offering a delivery service and there are a number of safety regulations in place which are detailed during your booking. The resort is also dog friendly, so if you want to treat your four legged friend to a vacation, you’re more than welcome! Don’t forget you can find more east Devon accommodation providers and ideas of things to do here.

Devon’s south coast is always a popular destination, particularly the English Riviera with its exotic looking trees and award winning beaches. Whether you’re travelling with the family or escaping on a solo trip, it is easy to find the right accommodation provider for your needs.

Image: Welcome Family Holiday Park. 

In Dawlish, just outside Torquay, is the Welcome Family Holiday Park​​​​​​​. There is accommodation to suit every budget and style and has one of the best locations in south Devon, the Blue Flag beach at Dawlish Warren is a flat level walk from the site and a short walk from the Nature Reserve. Much like holiday parks across the county, there will be a few changes, including the pools remaining closed for the time being, but you can still enjoy crazy golf, the play park and there is access to a number of other facilities. Cofton Holidays is also based in Dawlish, their bookings reopened on 4^th July with all their onsite accommodation being available, including cottages, apartments, lodges and the touring and camping areas. The onsite shop, café and fishing lakes are all open, with other facilities hoping to follow suit as the summer goes on. The site is ideal for anyone who wants a countryside holiday with easy access to the coast, Cofton Holidays is set within 80 acres of countryside and the beach is just a short stroll away.

In neighbouring Teignmouth, Devon Valley Holiday Park has a wide range of self catering holiday homes and being just 15 minutes from Torquay and a stone’s throw from the National Park and the city of Exeter gives you the chance to explore the English Riviera and the wider south Devon area. The park recently received their Visit England Good to Go Accreditation and have introduced a number of changes to ensure everyone’s safety which can be found when booking.

For those of you who wants a holiday apartment on the seafront with panoramic views of the Teign Estuary, look no further than Riviera Apartments​​​​​​​. They have reopened and are offering a specialised cleaning service between guests for your peace of mind. Each apartment has chic, contemporary interiors with open plan layouts and floor to ceiling windows allowing you to indulge in incredible sunrises and sets over the sea.

Image: Barramore Holiday Lets

If you want to be closer to Torquay’s centre, Barramore Holiday Lets are open for booking. The apartments are set in their own grounds with a pretty garden area for guests to enjoy. Each one is well equipped and maintained and kept to a high degree of cleanliness and some of them accept pets.

If you want to enjoy a caravan holiday in the region, Galmpton Touring Park​​​​​​​ are taking bookings for self contained caravans and motor homes. The family run park is set in a stunning location and caters exclusively for caravans, tents and motorhomes, offering a quiet base from which you can enjoy the whole of the Torbay.

The English Riviera has long been popular among families, with plenty of things to see and do. Many of the attractions are reopening over the summer, including Babbacombe Model Village and Paignton Zoo among others, these and many other places are operating a prebook only admission system, with more information on their individual websites. You can find more details on places to stay and attractions in this region here.

Image: Bull Inn

In the bohemian town of Totnes, you’ll find the Bull Inn which reopened on the 8^th July. Both customers to the inn and overnight guests are welcomed back with food back on the menu later in the month. Much like the town, this is a quirky and homely place to stay, with everything in the inn having been upcycled and recycled to create a comfortable and sustainable atmosphere.

Being in Totnes puts you close to the Dartington Estate, where you’ll find a whole host of things to do including the shops at Dartington. The estate is slowly reopening its facilities over the summer, so keep an eye on their website for updates.

Salcombe is also a good choice for anyone looking for a charming south Devon resort with a beach and lots of opportunities to explore more rural areas. Gara Rock​​​​​​​ is an easy going spot for families and couples alike offering self-catering accommodation and an onsite restaurant. The restaurant’s service has been altered to adhere to the latest government guidelines, but you can still guarantee that you’ll receive the amazing high quality dining experience that this site is famous for.

Image: Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park

At the far end of the county towards Plymouth, Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park​​​​​​​  is a good choice for anyone wanting to be able to explore both the city and the surrounding countryside. The site has spectacular views of the coast and access to the South West Coastal Path and most of the local shops, restaurants and cafes are open for takeaways. The team at Bovisand Lodge are well known for their special offers and promotions, so keep your eyes peeled and you could bag a bargain. The National Marine Aquarium​​​​​​​  is one of the premier attractions in this area and has reopened to prebooked guests, should you want to spend some time learning about marine life. You can find details of more accommodation and attractions in Plymouth here. ​​​​​​​

Want a few more suggestions for self catering properties? You can find a whole host of them here.