Things to do in Devon?

ellas9602

hello
We're Visiting North Devon (bideford) next week for four days on a Sun Holiday with OH, teens and dogs. We usually go to Cornwall but left booking a bit late this year and this is the first time with our dogs.
Can anyone recommend any nice places to visit nearby. We dont want to stray too far from base but if anyone could suggest picturesque towns/beaches for a quick trip I'd be grateful.
We would also like one afternoon where we explore South Devon so any suggestions here also welcome.
Thanks

vikingaero

We stayed near Ilfracombe a month ago. Sometimes you have to drive to see some spectacular scenery. Google: Woolacombe beach, Porlock Weir, Lynton/Lynmouth and Hartland Quay.

WestonDave

We were in Bideford a week or so back. Clovelly is the obvious place if you want picturesque (the classic chocolate box village sloping down to the harbour) - but if you drive there, park in their car park etc, it is pretty expensive. There is an old coast road that you can walk in along for free as its a public footpath which might be quite nice with the dog. Worth looking for a map online before you go.

We had a nice meal in the Coach and Horses in Buckland Brewer, and also excellent fish and chips on the quay at Bideford at "Mr Chips" (its near the old town bridge).

Instow beach is quite pretty with dunes but can be a bit muddy near the water as its on the estuary - and Appledore on your side is OK to mooch about for a bit. Westward Ho beach up towards the Northam end is quite wild and remote (and I think allows dogs at that end - not at the Westward Ho end) - the Northam Burrows reserve road charges £4.50 per day entry but you can come and go all day on that ticket. If you happen to get a nice day the kids could hire bodyboards and wet suits by the slipway at Westward Ho and give that a go!

A bit further afield Croyde Bay beach is nice - can't remember if they allow dogs at this time of year though. Again Saunton is nice with dunes but you'll need to check on the dog situation. The Dartington Glass place in Torrington is supposed to be good - the kids could have a go at making things - obviously for a charge but maybe an indoor option.

Depending on where you are coming from, its worth saying that on a good day the A361 is a lovely drive (as long as your speed expectations aren't above a steady 50), and on a bad day its worth knowing that the back roads are reasonable alternatives! Coming back the whole north corner of Devon filters back onto that road around kicking out time, and once you get to the hills it can get stop start. We bailed out and cut across to Taunton via Wiveliscombe on the B3227 (i think that's the right number) which is decent road - one or two windy bits but very little else on it to hold you up.

dazzer68

Are you back....any tips ?

ellas9602

Thanks vikingaero and weston dave! Lots of info there I've made a note of the places you've mentioned and will incorporate into my (very rough) itinerary. It's really helpful when your not familiar with a place at all,and not there for very long.. much appreciated
We all have wetsuits/boards etc, thats mainly what we'll be doing most of the time. When I say kids they are 16,17,18 and 21!
dazzer, I go on Thursday so will update you.
Any more suggestions would be appreciated.
Best scones, pasties...etc?:D can't wait!
Is there anywhere to go in the evenings? we like a beach BBQ at nights but the two eldest probably wouldnt mind a night out??
What about fishing? My OH is a novice but we do have a rod, is this a good area, right time seasonally? and once down there we did happen across mussels and had an enourmous moules marinere for tea. Anything like this is great for us. We're big foodies (but not big spenders!) so would love to know about where to buy fish and stuff like that.
Its the simple things we like
xx

dazzer68

I live in north Devon, it's a great place, and this ime of the year is the best as its much quieter. You've got dogs, so that restricts you a bit, as a lot of north Devon beaches are privately owned and don't allow dogs, until the end of sept. Saunton beach, you can and I think the far end of westward ho. Hartland you can't so I wouldn't bother going there, as it's not a dog friendly placeat all.theres ome great walks around the 'tarka trail' a huge cycle network which is ideal for dogs.clovelly, nice place but bit pricey , further along is bucks mill, great little beach, and probably good for sea fishing trips. Sandy mouth is a little further along, nationl trust owned, so parking fee prob involved! Little further over the other side is croyde, pretty village for astroll around, saunon, huge great long beach, ideal fr dogs and kids, and BBQ as long as you take everything home with you, and brunton burrows reserve backs on to it, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty and A world biosphere reserve, up there with the Hawaiian islands !And gobi desert! Impressive. If you have time you can get a bout over to Lundy island, but that's a no dog island as its a bird nesting place. Any thing else....let me know!