Woolacombe Bay - cheap attractions/days out?

mcdelarich

Hi all,

We're off to Woolacombe Bay in just over a week (sun holiday!) and was hoping for some advice on some cheap attractions/days out. There will be 2 adults, 1 child and 1 under 3.

Any other advice on the area would be greatly appriciated too. Does anyone know if there is a supermarket near?

Thanks in advance!

mandragora_2

Barnstaple's the nearest big town, with a largish Tesco; Ilfracombe should have something, and Woolcaombe itself has smaller 'Spar' type shops. The beach is the very, very best thing there, and it's free; if you like walking, the coastal path around there is lovely, and walking to the next villages along the path takes you to some equally pretty places and good eating spots - there used to be a great ice-cream shop in Croyde, if its still open! Best bet is to visit a site like Tripadvisor - try leaving a message on the appropriate forum over there, you'll get lots of help, I'm sure!

mum26

Hi, the ice cream shop is still at croyde (we got back from a week at Ruda last saturday and still wonderful.

There is a tesco at braunton now too if you are heading towards Croyde it is only a bit further that way. There is also a Saltrock factory shop close to the tesco. (there is no "tesco" signpost it just says "superstore" on the sign)

We used clubcard vouchers for "days out vouchers" on the clubcard site and used these at "The Big Sheep" which was an excellent day out, we had a brilliant time, you can revisit in the same week for £4 each - there is a huge indoor play place included in that so worth going early in the week so if you want to revisit you have time. There is lots included in the price and this time of year with lots of piglets, lambs even a puppy you get lots of value from it.

Saunton Sands is lovely and you can hire a beach hut for the day for under £15 including wind breaks and deck chairs, you have to pay for parking though. There are loos, a proper cafe, a refreshments stall and a shop selling all the usual beach stuff on site.

Woolacombe itself is lovely, huuuge beach and a wonderful fish and chip shop called the woolacombe fryer I think. It is red outside and they cook to order so very fresh.

There is a swimming pool at Ruda called cascades which is good for little children too, they will lend you armbands etc for free too to save taking your own.

If you go to Ilfracombe for the day there is a place called "the play hut" which is indoor soft play with a nice cafe in too and that is quite cheap, I think around £2 or so per child. I would say avoid Ilfracombe aquarium unless your children adore fish, it is titchy tiny, basically one room! The fudge shop there is good.

If you are out and about we've had lovely meals at "The Tarka Inn" pub with our kids, really good quality sausages and mash, empty plates all round. The sticky toffee pudding is to die for.

Hope you have a lovely time, it really is a wonderful bit of the country.

nuttyrockeress

The beach at Woolacombe is lovely. We used to stay at Morthoe.

The milky way adventure park at bideford is good for small children

Westywoodpecker

nuttyrockeress wrote: »

The beach at Woolacombe is lovely

I have to agree as that's where my husband asked me to marry him over 20 yrs ago now BTW still love him as much now as I did then

mcdelarich

Thanks for the replies!!!

We're really looking forward to getting away for a few days, sounds like I will need a strict diet when I get back what with the talk of ice cream, fudge, lovely meals...!! :rotfl:

Amy (posting under her OH's username!!) xx

mandragora_2

The BEST fudge is in Ilfracombe - go to the quay; if you're lucky, they'll be making it on site...

dazzer68

i live about 3 miles from woolacombe, in braunton.
hope the weather stays good for you as so far its been lovely down here.
things to do, the beaches of woolacombe, crotde, and saunton.

the combe martin wildlife and dinosaur park, is great day out, with some life size animated dinosaurs scater through out the park, theres a great little train ride (you might get wet!) and the animals zoo has some different types of animals, rather than lions etc.

watermouth castle, is another theme park, but dont think huge theme park, these are family owned parks, and are quaint rather than huge and spralling, but watermouth has a great play area for the kids with a carousel, and huge tube slides, gold mining in pixeland. good family fun.

barnstaple is a pretty shopping town, although as every high street, theres a few more empty shops, but those that are there are a good mix.


the big sheep at bideford is a good day out to, with the famous sheep racing! and duck racing sheep shearing, and a huge indorr ballpool climbing center with a cafe, so great if its raining! whilst your over that side go to atlantic village, which is discount village with all the outlet shops like m&s and cadbury, and another play center for the kids.
that should keep you going!
whilst your down here, dont forget to just stop, and enjoy the calm way of life, the beautiful scenery, and take it easy.
have fun

katiekoo_2

Don't forget to get a copy of the North Devon Journal, the local weekly paper out on Thursday. There are discount vouchers to tourist attractions every week in the summer - well worth having!