Sarah’s Guidebook
Walks and cycle paths
There is so much to discover on foot and on bike in this area, these are just a few of our local suggestions...
Popular places to visit include Fremington, Instow and the Puffing Billy near Torrington. Locations further afield include Meeth Reservoir and Croyde.
63 locals recommend
Tarka Trail
Popular places to visit include Fremington, Instow and the Puffing Billy near Torrington. Locations further afield include Meeth Reservoir and Croyde.
Car park available from Landkey. Nice options of easy to moderate walks, fantastic views from the very top for miles!
Codden Hill
Car park available from Landkey. Nice options of easy to moderate walks, fantastic views from the very top for miles!
Beautiful beach with walk to Putsborough - lovely coffee shop at the end, approx. 6 miles, there and back.
177 locals recommend
Woolacombe Beach
Beautiful beach with walk to Putsborough - lovely coffee shop at the end, approx. 6 miles, there and back.
Beautiful woods, with picnic spot and river to play in for the children.
22 locals recommend
Eggesford Forest
Beautiful woods, with picnic spot and river to play in for the children.
Sightseeing
Beautiful visit for all ages - often family trails through the school holidays. Would recommend checking their website for all events!
193 locals recommend
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Beautiful visit for all ages - often family trails through the school holidays. Would recommend checking their website for all events!
Lovely local beach with ferry to Appledore in summer - tides dependant. Instow Arms, The Glorious Oyster, The Boathouse and Johns of Instow all on main road.
111 locals recommend
Instow Arms
Marine ParadeLovely local beach with ferry to Appledore in summer - tides dependant. Instow Arms, The Glorious Oyster, The Boathouse and Johns of Instow all on main road.
Clovelly
Beautiful local town, great day out - VERY steep!
Hartland Abbey and gardens has been featured in many BBC programmes including Sense and Sensibility and Malory Towers. They have donkeys , peacocks and sheep - as well as the Old Kitchens Tea Room for afternoon tea.
65 locals recommend
Hartland Abbey
Hartland Abbey and gardens has been featured in many BBC programmes including Sense and Sensibility and Malory Towers. They have donkeys , peacocks and sheep - as well as the Old Kitchens Tea Room for afternoon tea.
Lundy island is just three miles in length. It is owned by the national trust and a visit can be spectacular. A multitude of wildlife including puffins, dolphins and seals often visible.
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/day-trips/
72 locals recommend
Lundy
Lundy island is just three miles in length. It is owned by the national trust and a visit can be spectacular. A multitude of wildlife including puffins, dolphins and seals often visible.
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/day-trips/
Family activities
Lots to do for children of all ages, here are a few ideas come rain or shine!
Brilliant family day out - with both activities inside and outside. Separate area for under fives also. Best to make a whole day out of this!
148 locals recommend
The Milky Way Adventure Park
Brilliant family day out - with both activities inside and outside. Separate area for under fives also. Best to make a whole day out of this!
Great family day out - indoor and outdoor activities available. Would recommend on a nice day to get maximum use!
185 locals recommend
The Big Sheep.
Abbotsham RoadGreat family day out - indoor and outdoor activities available. Would recommend on a nice day to get maximum use!
Fantastic restaurant for breakfast and/or soft play area for children with additional outside play area and tractor rides
51 locals recommend
Quince Honey Farm
Fantastic restaurant for breakfast and/or soft play area for children with additional outside play area and tractor rides
Lynton and Lynmouth - seaside towns. Lynmouth offers a pebble beach, with park at the bottom. Shops and restaurants visible with historic past.
52 locals recommend
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (Top station)
Lee RoadLynton and Lynmouth - seaside towns. Lynmouth offers a pebble beach, with park at the bottom. Shops and restaurants visible with historic past.
Exmoor Zoo
Locally owned zoo, approximately 40 minutes drive
Local attraction for children with play areas
94 locals recommend
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Local attraction for children with play areas
Tarka Tennis Centre
7 Seven Brethren BankIndoor and outdoor tennis centre
Buy a glass bottle and fill it up with fresh pasteurised cows milk - even add your own flavours for a milkshake!
The Milkiosk
Unnamed RoadBuy a glass bottle and fill it up with fresh pasteurised cows milk - even add your own flavours for a milkshake!
Privately owned gardens with beautiful wisteria arch, lake and tea gardens.
31 locals recommend
Marwood Hill Gardens
Privately owned gardens with beautiful wisteria arch, lake and tea gardens.
Surf SUP Academy - Westward Ho! North Devon
Surfing lessons - all levels welcome!
Brand new leisure centre with swimming pool and indoor ski slope!
8 locals recommend
Tarka Tennis Centre
7 Seven Brethren BankBrand new leisure centre with swimming pool and indoor ski slope!
Dartington Crystal Ltd
Linden CloseFood scene
We are spoilt for choice with local produce in North Devon, I would recommend booking, especially during the peak seasons.
Hunters Inn
5* food and service - booking advised!
5* gastro pub with Michelin star aims! Local food, check menu online to see if appeals! Beautiful pub inside and out.
46 locals recommend
The Farmers Arms
5* gastro pub with Michelin star aims! Local food, check menu online to see if appeals! Beautiful pub inside and out.
Beautiful restaurant in own grounds, previously owned in conjunction with Michael Caines.
7 locals recommend
Kentisbury Grange Hotel
Beautiful restaurant in own grounds, previously owned in conjunction with Michael Caines.
The BEST fish and chip restaurant - can eat in or take away! Would not recommend anywhere else, won best shop in country!
Pelican Fish Restaurant
1 Oakland ParkThe BEST fish and chip restaurant - can eat in or take away! Would not recommend anywhere else, won best shop in country!
Morans Restaurant & Bar
Golf Links RoadThai restaurant - locally owned and the very best!
The Power
1 Bickington RoadChinese Takeaway - menu can be found online. Approx 5 mins for collection, will deliver.
Located on Barricane beach, just next to Woolacombe, 5-7pm every night in the summer only (so long as it's not raining!) freshly cooked Sri Lanken curries. Check out their Facebook page!!
39 locals recommend
Barricane Beach Cafe
Woolacombe RiseLocated on Barricane beach, just next to Woolacombe, 5-7pm every night in the summer only (so long as it's not raining!) freshly cooked Sri Lanken curries. Check out their Facebook page!!
Super place for breakfast with parking and direct access to the Tarka Trail equidistant to Barnstaple and Instow - play area for children and picnic spaces.
37 locals recommend
Fremington Quay
Super place for breakfast with parking and direct access to the Tarka Trail equidistant to Barnstaple and Instow - play area for children and picnic spaces.
The best local food and coffee shop - lots of lovely local produce, thoroughly recommended!
29 locals recommend
Johns of Instow
4 & 5 Marine ParadeThe best local food and coffee shop - lots of lovely local produce, thoroughly recommended!
Westleigh Inn
The Boathouse, Instow
Marine ParadeNumber Eight
49 Allhalland StChichester Arms
East StreetCity/town information
Lovely historic city - beautiful train ride from Barnstaple. Stunning Cathedral and green in centre. Museum, cinema, and large leisure centre.
409 locals recommend
Exeter
Lovely historic city - beautiful train ride from Barnstaple. Stunning Cathedral and green in centre. Museum, cinema, and large leisure centre.
Adventure
North Devon Wake Park
Great adventure for older children and adults!
Good activity on rainy days! Very close to barn, and nice coffee shop for adults.
27 locals recommend
Air Extreme Trampoline Park
1 Lauder LnGood activity on rainy days! Very close to barn, and nice coffee shop for adults.
Ilfracombe Princess - coastal and wildlife cruises - contact number: 01271 879727/07837 569667
Ilfracombe Coastal Cruises
3 The QuayIlfracombe Princess - coastal and wildlife cruises - contact number: 01271 879727/07837 569667
Local golf club with driving range, also offers restaurant - nice Sunday lunches, booking advised.
9 locals recommend
Portmore Golf Park
Local golf club with driving range, also offers restaurant - nice Sunday lunches, booking advised.
Listed as one of the best courses in UK - 36 holes available, booking recommended - 01271812436
25 locals recommend
Saunton Golf Club
Listed as one of the best courses in UK - 36 holes available, booking recommended - 01271812436
North Devon Shooting Ground
All levels and abilities fo clay pigeon shooting
Rainy Days
Scott Cinemas
77 Boutport StOn a rainy day, small and local cinema
Lots of great productions - especially the pantomime at Christmas time!
22 locals recommend
Queen's Theatre
100 Boutport StLots of great productions - especially the pantomime at Christmas time!
Great for rainy or quiet days with children - takes 2-3 days to glaze or can be posted back to home address.
Paint a Pot Studio
5 Exeter RdGreat for rainy or quiet days with children - takes 2-3 days to glaze or can be posted back to home address.
Funder Zone