North Devon

North Devon is one of the most beautiful areas of the British Isles. It boasts miles of unspoilt and award winning beaches. The coastline is one of the most popular surfing venues in the country, with Croyde being the most popular.

The beaches at Croyde and Woolacombe regularly win awards for cleanliness and safety and are manned by lifeguards througout the summer months.

Most of the region appears to be untouched by time as sleepy, windy lanes reveal thatched roofed cottages and historic buildings and villages such as Lynton in the north of the region and Clovelly in the south. The village of Croyde has many examples of cobb walled, thatched cottages.

The coastline is as rugged as it is beautiful dotted with magnificent cliffs, tiny cove and picturesque harbours. It was once the haunt of smugglers, pirates and wreckers and the fascinating history is retold in many small museums along the coast. Today visitors who love Henry Williamson's famous Tarka the Otter can retrace Tarka's journey by following the Tarka Trail.

Croyde is ideally located within easy reach of the harbours of Clovelly and Lynmouth which are also perfect places to relax. Meander through the streets of Lynmouth and take a ride on the unique water powered cliff railway to the twin town of Lynton which is perched high on the cliffs. Clovelly is another of the prettiest coastal village where it feels as if time stood still. The only means of transport on these famous cobbled streets are donkeys and sleds.

Along the coastline surrounding a natural harbour is Ilfracombe with its Victorian architecture, Esplanade and famous Tunnels Beach. The harbour is always busy with fishing boats sailing in and out together with the paddle steamer Balmoral which offers day trips to Lundy Island. North Devon has something to offer and appeal to everyone.

There are activities available for all ages. For children there are fun attractions such as 'The Big Sheep' and 'Dinosaur World'. For the sports fan, there is golf, horse riding, cycling, surfing, kayaking, rock climbing and many other activities all within a 40 miunte drive from Barnstaple, the region's major town.

All of the holiday properties that we market on the Choice Cottages website are situated near to one of the many beaches in the region, so you will never be too far away from a beach.

There are beaches at Woolacombe, Combe Martin, Putsborough, Croyde and Saunton, near Braunton.

Looking for a North Devon Holiday Cottage or Self Catering Holidays in Devon then you are at the right place!

The surrounding area where Choice Holiday homes are situated is often refered to as “Tarka Country” and you will see reference to the Tarka Trail. The author Henry Williamson wrote his much loved novel “Tarka the Otter” whilst living in Goergeham. Opposite pub Kings Arms is his Skirr Cottage, marked with a blue plaque.

Tourist Information

Find out all that’s going on in North Devon at the Tourist Information bureau.
They can be found at The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, EX33 1AA
Tel: 01271 816400    Email: info@brauntontic.co.uk

Surfing

Often find excellent waves and Croyde, Woolacombe, Putsborough, Northam and Saunton beautiful beaches. To see what the surf is like in Croyde right now, go to Croyde-surf-cam.

There are several surf shops in and around Croyde including Stephenring, A1surf and Surfstation.  If you are a surfing enthusiast or just kean to learn and want photo memories, why not contact Extremeboardshots!

Walking, Cycling and Mountainbiking

No visit to Croyde would be complete without a ramble or cycle along the coastal path to the National Trust’s Baggy Point on the edge of Croyde Bay (see Croyde to Baggy Point Circular Walk). Bikes can be rented from Takra Trail Bike Hire and information on  great walking and cycling routes can be ontained from Croyde Cycle. H2 Outdoor is a 15 minute drive from Croyde and offers mountain biking activities on cross-country routes.

Golfing

Saunton Sands has been listed in Golf World & Golf Monthly magazine’s 100 Best Courses in the UK, and is just a 10 minute drive from Crydda Cottage. Visitors are normally accepted weekdays and weekends after 9:30am by prior arrangement.

Horse Riding

For the experienced or total novice, horse riding can be a wonderful way of viewing the unspoilt countryside in and around Croyde.  On-site lessons or trecks can be booked though Roylands (located in Croyde) and Woolacombe Stables.

Paintballing

Keypitts offers a large playing area with bunkers, quarries, and bases. All gear including overalls, facemasks and Tipman 98 paintball guns are provided. A minimum age restriction of 13 years applies.

Farm Visits

Situated on the North Devon coast two miles west of Bideford, The BIG Sheep is known as one of the best family tourist attractions in Devon. As well as childrens’ activities there’s fun for adults too. On top of the attractions for children, there is also a brewery, a shop and a restaurant.

Quad Biking & Off-road driving

Keypitts  has an excellent purpose built quad bike track and offers a range of bikes ranging from 50cc Suzuki’s for juniors (6 years and over) up to 250cc Honda’s for the more experienced rider.  Tuition is available up on request.

Also, why not test your off-road skills at Keypitts 200 acre woodland off-road course? A full driving license must be held to take the wheel.

Go Karting

North Devon Carting provides a 400m Pro circuit with fully computerised lap timing and race control systems. Race suits and crash helmets are available. Why not hire this circuit for your very own grand prix event with winner’s podium and bottles of bubbly for the winners?

Clay Pigeon Shooting

The Big Shoot range is a 20 minute drive from Crydda and offers introduction courses, 1 to 1 tuition and 2 hour shooting sessions. The range is situated in an idyllic valley and has hosted many CPSA shooting competitions.

Theme Parks

The Wildlife and Dinosaur Adventure Park in Combe Marting has over 30 acres of spectacular gardens where you can experience at close hand many amazing animals, life sized dinosaurs and much more!

Marine Charters

Explore the fabulous coastline aound Croyde with a marine charter.  To charter a standard yacht near Biddeford, please contact Appledore Sailing. To learn how to sail a catamaran, please contact Sailcats in Braunton.

Fishing

Shore anglers can enjoy fishing on both Saunton and Putsborough beaches, just a few minutes from Croyde. In season, Bass, Pollack and Mackerel can be landed, with the occasional `exotic’ turning up too. For water garden and trout fishing, Blakewell Fishery is a 5 acre lake that offers the best still-water trout fly-fishing around.

Coasteering & Kayaking

H2 Outdoor offers Coasteering and Kayaking sessions to individuals and groups.  All activity packages can be developed to meet individual or group requirements and capabilities.