Things to do in North Devon & Exmoor
You can’t move in North Devon without finding something fun, cultural or adventurous to do! Whether you’re looking for great days out in North Devon guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained or a relaxing trip to a historic house, there’s plenty of North Devon attractions to choose from. For top Devon family attractions you can take your pick from a choice of theme parks with exhilarating rides and slides designed to thrill, or get up close and personal with the cutest animals at one of our fun packed farm attractions. North Devon boasts an enviable choice of more exotic wildlife attractions too, from a zoo and an aquarium to a Dinosaur Park. Enjoy a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous of bygone days in one of North Devon's historic houses and gardens. Plus there’s a fascinating range of heritage attractions to visit, including funicular railways, castles and medieval bridges.
Refine your search
Keypitts, Oxen Park Lane, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9RW, Tel: 01271 862247, Email, www.keypitts.com
Over 180 acre all-terrain quad bike, horse riding. Beautiful scenic routes around private grounds. Sale of electric quad bikes
Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Hartland, Nr. Bideford, North Devon, EX39 6DA, Tel: 01237 441 881, Email, downespa.com/
Downe Health Spa in North Devon offers a range of superb beauty therapies and holistic therapies. Pamper Days at Downe are days of peace and ease, days of total relaxation.
Spa
Shop
Southdown, Yarnscombe, North Devon, EX31 3LZ, Tel: 01271 858791, Email, www.southdownadventure.com
Enjoy the ultimate day out at Southdown Adventure. Experience the thrills of Quad Biking on our three fabulous tracks. Also zorbing, clay shooting, archery and air rifle shooting in the beautiful North Devon countryside.
Unit 4 Barnstaple Trade Centre, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 8RY, Tel: 01271 328328, Email
North Devon's largest indoor playcentre, Open every day of the year for parties, playtime, fun and food.
Children's Activity Centre
Croyde Burrows Beach Car Park, Moor Lane, Croyde Bay, Devon, EX33 1NZ, Tel: 01271 890400, Email, www.surfsouthwest.com
Learn to surf with UK's premier surf schools at Croyde and Saunton. British Surfing Assn. Level 4 Centre. Surfing GB 'Centre of Excellence.' Established in 1996. Open every day from Mid March to end October. Courses from £28 per person
Surfing
21 Broad Close, North Molton, South Molton, North Devon, EX36 3JD, Tel: 01598 740114, Email, www.northdevonhawkwalks.co.uk
Visitors of all ages are offered the opportunity to experience at first hand the thrill of falconry in North Devon.
Hawk walks
Tarka Trail, North Devon, EX39 4BB, Tel: 01237 423 655, Email, www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk/the-tarka-trail/
The Tarka Trail is a pedestrian and cycle way that runs in a 180 mile figure-of-eight through landscapes little changed from those described by Henry Williamson in his classic 1927 novel Tarka the Otter.
Cycle Route: The Tarka Trail
Cycle Route
Walking Route
Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9DT
This ancient cove was a popular bay for smugglers. High sided cliffs drop down to a small rocky bay with shingle and sand. This bay is sheltered and peaceful.
Beach
Lynmouth, North Devon, EX35 6EQ, Tel: 01598 752225, Email, www.visitlynton.co.uk/attractions/beaches
Picturesque harbour set in an area known as 'The little Switzerland of England'. Lynmouth opens to a pebbled beach with abrupt scenery. Surrounded by beautiful National Park this beach is frequented more often by walkers than sun bathers.
Motehoe, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7EG, Tel: 01271 870553, Email, www.woolacombetourism.co.uk/
Rockham is a quiet beach free from the madding crowds. Visits require a quite difficult walk of approximately 2km down to the sea, but well worth a visit for the fit and able!
Bude, Cornwall, EX23 9HW, Tel: 01208 262812, Email, www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/Sandy_Mouth-beach.htm
With golden sand, rocks & many rock pools the cliffs surrounding the beach are moderately unstable but provide a great variety of wildflowers. In a Heritage Coast area perfect for walking, however, keep an eye on the tide. Dog friendly.
Porlock, TA24 8NS, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com
Easy circular walk. Gentle footpaths, no noticeable ascent or descent. One path travels close to the shoreline and could be liable to flooding in severe conditions. At such times there are other paths nearby that can be used. 4 miles (6kms)
Walk Route: Circular - Easy
Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7EB, Tel: 01271 870553, Email
Combesgate is a lovely secluded beach, located at the far right-end side of Woolacombe with some attractive rock pools ideal for children. Beware the beach is only accessible between low and mid-tide. Dog access restrictecd.
Nr Clovelly, North Devon, EX35 7TY, Tel: 01237 477676, Email
Bucks Mills is a pleasant, picturesque and quiet retreat, even at the busiest times of the year. The beach is situated in a rocky secluded cove at the bottom end of the ancient fishing village.
Mortehoe's Deadly Coast Walk, EX34 7DT, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com
Mortehoe is a small hilltop village on Devon’s northernmost coast. Despite its proximity to the holiday settlement of Woolacombe it retains an old-world charm and a feeling of remoteness
Walk Route: Cirular - Moderate/Difficult
Combe Martin, EX34 0DH, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com
Moderate circulare walk. Green lanes, farm tracks, public footpaths, country lanes. Going fairly even underfoot. 4 miles (6kms)
Walk Route: Circular - Moderate
Anstey Way, Instow, North Devon, EX39 4HX, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com/main/sections/index.cfm?fsa=dspSectionDetail&w_id=142
The easy walking along this section of the Coast Path allows for plenty of opportunity to enjoy the wide range of plants and birds inhabiting the grassland and dunes of the Taw/Torridge Estuary.
Appledore & Northam Burrows, EX39 1QS, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com
North of Bideford a peninsula of land juts out between the sea and the estuary of the River Torridge. Being something of a cul-de-sac, the area has a real character of its own.
Walk Route: Cirular - Moderate
Bossington, TA24 8HQ, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com
Moderate to difficult circular walk. Generally easy walking on good level wide tracks with just one long very steep climb. 5 miles (8kms)
Saunton, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1LQ, www.sauntonbeach.info/
Saunton Sands is a three mile long expanse of sandy beach popular with surfers and ideal for families.
Instow, Bideford, North Devon, EX39 4JN, Tel: 01237 477676, Email, www.instow.net/
Instow Beach is a long beach on an estuary very popular for fishing and sailing as well as other beach activities. It is a sandy beach, backed by low dunes, at the mouth of the rivers Taw and Torridge.
Bucks Mills, North Devon, EX39 5DY, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com
Step back in time at Bucks Mills and take in the rich history of trade and settlement along this stunning coastal stretch, which includes National Trust land.
Walk Route: Circular - Moderate
Burgundy Chapel Combe car park, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5SG, Tel: 01392 360050, www.southwestcoastpath.com/main/walks/index.cfm?fsa=dspWalkDetail&w_id=217
A short walk that is nonetheless strenuous in places. following a delightful path around the southern edge of North Hill with spectacular views down over the tranquil green pastureland spread out below the woods.
Walk Route: Circular - Moderate
The Quay, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9EQ, Tel: 01271 863969, www.ilfracombepilotgigclub.org/
Gig racing is open to teams of Under-14's, Under-16's, Ladies 'A' and 'B' crews, Mens 'A' and 'B' crews as well as mixed and veteran participants
Pilot Gig Club
