Towns and Villages near Bideford

Westward Ho!

17 September 2026

Westward Ho! is one of possibly only two place names in the world that features an exclamation mark; it's almost impossible to say it without breaking into a smile. Once dominated by holiday camps, Westward Ho! has been updated in recent years and although it remains a lively resort, it now has a thriving permanent population. The big draw, of course, is the beach – two miles of sand stretching into the distance, backed by a pebble ridge that forms a dividing line between the beach and Northam Burrows Country Park, a magnificent stretch of salt marsh, grassland and sand dunes.

Appledore

17 August 2022

A lovely little seaside village with quintessential narrow streets, houses in pastel hues and a Quay to sit and eat your local fish and chips on. Tea shops and bistros, small boutiques and fishermen's fare - take delight in everything Devonshire as you breathe in the clean, fresh sea air. There's even the Appledore Book Festival thanks to the association with A. A. Milne.

Instow

7 April 2017

Located where the rivers Taw and Torridge combine and flow into the sea, Instow is a pretty waterside village and perfect for a spot for sailing or windsurfing, and for families to take advantage of the sheltered sandy beaches.

Great Torrington

Perched on an inland clifftop over the River Torridge, there are some fabulous views in all directions and lots of history to discover as you wander the Pannier Market and bump into historical reenactments along the Tarka Way.