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North Devon
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Exmoor National Park
This route is along the highest of the sea cliffs in the Exmoor National Park. Starting at Combe Martin take the coast path around Wild Pear Beach, then a stiff climb to Little Hangman (715 feet high). Climb on - more gradual this time - up to 1046 feet and the summit of Great Hangman to get the best of the panorama across Combe Martin Bay.
51.199
-4.025
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50.905
-3.489
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Clovelly
A beautiful, unspoilt fishing village enveloped in green countryside. From Clovelly it is easy to take a boat trip across to Lundy Island, a pristine little wilderness just off the coast.
50.998
-4.399
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James Duckett at The Old Custom House
French/European cuisine with a modern twist. Opened in August 2008, the Old Custom House aims to put North Devon on the culinary map of the South West. Chef James Duckett has a wealth of experience in renowned restaurants in London, Europe and further afield. Informal tapas-style lunches and authentic fine dining at dinner.
www.jamesduckett.co.uk
51.078
-4.061
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51.194
-4.09
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51.051
-4.045
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50.959
-3.875
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The Lamb Inn
An old 16th Century coach house with low ceilings, open fires, comfy sofas, a sheltered garden and a great reputation for food. Listed in the Michelin Pub Guide and the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, 2010.
www.lambinnsandford.co.uk
50.809
-3.666
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The Old Smithy
Once the local blacksmiths, this friendly local now hosts monthly folk nights. Drop in for a bite to eat in the beer garden or enjoy a pint of real ale in front of the log fire.
www.theoldsmithyinn.co.uk
50.93346
-4.467309
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Tiverton
Tiverton is set on the Exe and Lowman rivers in a circular layout, now jealously guarded by the planners. Best known for John Heathcoat who set up his 19th Century textile factory with a few wool frames after escaping the luddites in Loughborough, the industry prospered and he built nearby Knighthayes Court as his mansion - now open to visitors with the National Trust. Tiverton Castle is in the centre of the town.
50.905
-3.489
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50.901
-3.488
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50.79
-3.661
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Heal Farm Fine Food
Situated in the heart of the Devon countryside. The Heal Farm story started in the 1970s, when Anne Petch received a piglet for her 16th birthday. Now, more than 30 years on, Heal Farm is a thriving family business at the forefront of the movement to use traditional farming methods in the rearing of rare breeds. The farm's activities have now diversified to include rare breeds of lamb and beef as well as stocking non-meat products including locally reared smoked fish and wonderful traditional cheeses.
www.healfarm.co.uk/history.php
50.97388
-3.89246
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RHS Rosemoor
Set deep in the north Devon countryside, The Rosemoor estate was once the home of Lady Anne Palmer. Lady Anne developed a passion for plants when she met noted plantsman Colllingwood Ingram while recuperating from measles in Spain. Over the next 30 years, she travelled the world to collect specimens for her garden, which she gave to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988. The estate now comprises 65 acres of land, which includes rose gardens, a winter garden, a fruit and vegetable garden, a formal garden, woodlands, and many stream and lakeside plantings, making Rosemoor an enchanting place to visit whatever the season.
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor
50.94267
-4.137489
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50.92586
-3.480653
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51.229
-3.827
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50.967
-4.298
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The Hart Inn
At the centre of the outstanding peninsula of Hartland, this traditional olde world inn overlooks the village square and serves great food sourced locally where possible and a wide range of real ales and fine wines. In the Summer you can enjoy a meal in the beer garden.
www.thehartinn.com
50.992
-4.483
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The Mason's Arms
A gem of dining excellence in a 13th Century thatched inn in the heart of Exmoor. Mark Dodson, the chef, spent 12 years as the head chef at Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn, so you know it’s going to be special.
www.masonsarmsdevon.co.uk
50.994
-3.674
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Tiverton Canal Company
Great for when you really want to slow the pace of life - horse drawn narrowboat trips on the Grand Western Canal. Built in 1814, the canal is now a Local Nature Reserve, home to an abundance of wildlife including otters, dragonflies, kingfishers and swans. Sit back, relax and enjoy the last horse drawn barge in the South West.
www.tivertoncanal.co.uk
50.901
-3.476
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Woolacombe Sand
At first glance, Woolacombe appears to have been somewhat swamped by modern holiday facilities, with rows of hotels, shops and cafes. Once on the beach, however, it’s easy to ignore the tussle of commerce going on in the town - extensive dunes shield the development and leave you to enjoy three miles of flat, wide sand. Even on the busiest summer day, if you’re happy to take a stroll along the beach, you’ll find a quiet spot to lay your towel.
51.158
-4.215
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Valley of the Rocks
A truly dramatic landscape that has to be seen to be believed. Over many thousands of years, the elements have chiselled the sandstone, slate and limestone rock into strange and precarious formations. The Valley of the Rocks sits near the edge of Exmoor, where moorland plunges into cliffs to meet the sea, making for some superb walking. Start at the coastal town of Lynton, to the east of the Valley, for a circular five mile ramble that takes in moors, clifftops and stunning views across the Valley and out to sea. Don't forget to pack a picnic.
www.devon.gov.uk/walk37.pd
51.227
-3.856
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Clovelly Court Garden
This Victorian walled kitchen garden has magnificent greenhouses where melons, apricots, figs, peaches and nectarines grow. Take a stroll on the terraced lawns for fantastic views out to Lundy Island, or take a longer walk through the rhododendrons and woodlands to Clovelly village. The herbaceous borders are ablaze with colour in midsummer. Open March to October.
www.clovelly.co.uk/clovelly-court-gardens.php
51.0003
-4.410982
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Docton Mill Gardens
These unique gardens include wild flowers, a riverside walk and an unusual bog garden. Catch the spectacular display of narcissi in spring when bluebells carpet the woods, or come in summer to see the rosebanks in full bloom. Treat yourself to an award-winning cream tea at the Docton Mill Tea Room, voted Best Cream Tea in Devon at the 2007 North Devon Food & Drink Awards, or try some of the local homegrown produce - the Brixham crab sandwiches and homemade chutneys are firm favourites. Open March to October.
www.doctonmill.co.uk
50.976
-4.518
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Marwood Hill Gardens
There's lots to see here, with three lakes and some excellent national collections, including the Japanese iris and a large collection of camellia (over 800 cultivars). Magnolias take centre stage in March and April. The Garden Tea Room serves home baked pies and cakes and, naturally, Devon cream teas. Open March to October.
www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk
51.118
-4.081
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50.86
-3.544
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Winsford Walled Garden
A beautifully restored walled Victorian garden. Wander among the bourgainvillea and tropical hibiscus in the ornate Victorian greenhouses. The garden had been left to ruin until its rediscovery in 1999, since when Aileen, Michael and Tanya have worked hard and enthusiastically to restore it to its former glory - and beyond. It now extends well past its original walls, with colouful borders, bamboo groves and giant-leafed gunnera. The garden's restoration was documented on ITV's Gardener's Tales.
www.winsfordwalledgarden.com
50.789
-4.201
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Golden Inn
This attractive thatched country inn is a great settting to enjoy a real ale.
50.816
-4.154
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Hartland Point
The South West Coast Path provides some of the most stunning scenery including Lundy Island from the high cliffs in north Devon. Try starting at Hartland Point and walking towards the lighthouse and then the radio mast, looking out for the rusting remains of the Johanna shipwreck on the beach. A circular route along Blagdon Cliff and then Upright Cliff (where there is a small waterfall) will take you inland to Blagdon Farm and eventually your starting point.
51.022
-4.526
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Percy's
A much lauded restaurant supplied by its own 130 acre organic estate; try the home-reared pork from Percy’s Pig Herd.
www.percys.co.uk
50.705
-4.295
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51.147
-4.221
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Ring O' Bells
This thatched 14th Century village inn serves locally-sourced food in a traditional environment. The focus is on seasonal, local produce prepared and presented with the minimum of fuss. Diners can eat in the traditional lounge area, with open log fie, or in the more contemporary restaurant.
www.ringofbells.co.uk
50.844
-3.61
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Roadford Lake
Just on the eastern fringes of Dartmoor, Roadford Lake has an Angling and Watersports Centre offering windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and brown trout angling. The Lakeside Restaurant and interactive vistor centre, plus miles of footpaths and a cycle way provide plenty of fun on dry land too.
www.swlakestrust.org.uk
50.689
-4.232
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50.813
-4.258
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The Farmer's Arms
The Farmer's Arms is the historic local pub in Devon's 'village with two names'. The original name, Woolfardisworthy, is a bit of tongue twister, so locals shortened it to Woolsery; one village, two names, one great pub. Stop by and visit the resident ghost.
50.963
-4.378
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50.779
-4.208
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The Milky Way Adventure Park
Five major rides, plus loads of shows, including
Merlin from Britain’s Got Talent with his death-defying escapology
act, make the Milky Way an excellent family day out in North Devon.
Ride Devon’s biggest roller coaster, pilot the droid destroyer
dodgems and brave the Clone Zone interactive alien ride. There's plenty for the little ones too, including the Big Apple rollercoaster, plus soft play, ball pools, and mini ride-on tractors.
Take a leisurely trip on the Milky Way Railway or have hours of fun
on the slides and assault course in the Time Warp, the area's
biggest indoor adventure play area. Challenge the family to archery,
golf and laser shooting or just kick back and enjoy the amazing bird
of prey displays. There's lots to see and do here, and all the rides and shows are
included in the entrance fee.
www.themilkyway.co.uk
50.97833
-4.385622
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50.949
-4.431
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51.146
-3.982
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Bampton
Just outside Exmoor National Park, Bampton is everything you could hope for in a Devon town. Located entirely within a conservation area, Bampton’s streets are lined with historic listed buildings, giving the distinct feeling that you’ve stepped back in time. The town is famous for its flowers - having won the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition no less than 6 times, Bampton is a magnet for the green-fingered, who make a pilgrimage here during the summer months to marvel at the floral displays.
50.991
-3.487
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 | Okay, so you know there are beaches here, but do you know just how enormous they are? When it comes to sand, the north coast of Devon doesn’t do it by halves. Woolacombe, Saunton, Westward Ho! - these have to be some of the longest, widest beaches in the country. |
 | Some ideas to fill a few days exploring the joys of North Devon. |
 | Browse our selection of hand-picked activities for days out and short breaks in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. |
 | View your personal itinerary of things to do, places to visit and where to eat on your holiday. |
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