Josie’s Guidebook
Sightseeing
Clovelly is a beautiful little harbour village just a 20 minute drive from Northam. The village, which is built into the wooded sea cliffs of the north Devon shore, has a steep pedestrianised cobbled main street with traditional architecture. Due to the gradients, donkeys (now mostly replaced with sledges) have been used to move goods and cargo from Clovelly Bay. Visitors to the village are required to pay an entrance fee at the visitor centre which covers the parking, entrance to two museums, Clovelly Court gardens, and an audiovisual history guide. With views over the Bristol Channel, the village is a popular destination attracting numerous tourists.
You can walk to the village along the coast path by parking at Bucks Mills Reserve car park and enjoying a lovely 4 mile walk to Clovelly. Once there there are 3 pubs to choose from for lunch and a pier, which locals jump off at high tide.
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克洛夫利
Clovelly is a beautiful little harbour village just a 20 minute drive from Northam. The village, which is built into the wooded sea cliffs of the north Devon shore, has a steep pedestrianised cobbled main street with traditional architecture. Due to the gradients, donkeys (now mostly replaced with sledges) have been used to move goods and cargo from Clovelly Bay. Visitors to the village are required to pay an entrance fee at the visitor centre which covers the parking, entrance to two museums, Clovelly Court gardens, and an audiovisual history guide. With views over the Bristol Channel, the village is a popular destination attracting numerous tourists.
You can walk to the village along the coast path by parking at Bucks Mills Reserve car park and enjoying a lovely 4 mile walk to Clovelly. Once there there are 3 pubs to choose from for lunch and a pier, which locals jump off at high tide.
Located in the parish of Westleigh, Tapeley Park sits high on a hill overlooking the River Torridge and the North Devon coastline. Home to the Christie family for two centuries, Hector Christie is the current custodian of the estate.
They have wonderful tea rooms and gardens, so are a great place to go for a family or dog walk. Visitors can follow brown attraction signs from the Bideford New Bridge and drive through the large gate house gates.
Tickets are purchased from The Gift Shop at the entrance.
If you're visiting in the summer seasons they host hold outdoor theatre performances, so it's worth calling ahead to check the schedule if you fancy a show during your stay.
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Tapely Park
Located in the parish of Westleigh, Tapeley Park sits high on a hill overlooking the River Torridge and the North Devon coastline. Home to the Christie family for two centuries, Hector Christie is the current custodian of the estate.
They have wonderful tea rooms and gardens, so are a great place to go for a family or dog walk. Visitors can follow brown attraction signs from the Bideford New Bridge and drive through the large gate house gates.
Tickets are purchased from The Gift Shop at the entrance.
If you're visiting in the summer seasons they host hold outdoor theatre performances, so it's worth calling ahead to check the schedule if you fancy a show during your stay.
Nestled in a Devon valley near Torrington, Rosemoor blends formal & informal plantings to magical effect. This must be one of the most notable gardens in the country and is a joy for everyone to visit. There are lovely tea rooms, which serve delicious lunches and cakes, as well as a learning centre and multiple little play parks dotted around the place.
My favourite place is the large lake at the bottom of the gardens, which are filled with lily pads and lined with beautiful trees. I also love the water gardens, formal gardens and the kitchen garden and orchard meadow. The hot garden and Mediterranean gardens are also impressive and the rolling lawns and weaving pathways make this a really special day out.
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RHS Garden Rosemoor
Nestled in a Devon valley near Torrington, Rosemoor blends formal & informal plantings to magical effect. This must be one of the most notable gardens in the country and is a joy for everyone to visit. There are lovely tea rooms, which serve delicious lunches and cakes, as well as a learning centre and multiple little play parks dotted around the place.
My favourite place is the large lake at the bottom of the gardens, which are filled with lily pads and lined with beautiful trees. I also love the water gardens, formal gardens and the kitchen garden and orchard meadow. The hot garden and Mediterranean gardens are also impressive and the rolling lawns and weaving pathways make this a really special day out.
A lovely local gallery located next to Victoria Park in Bideford. They feature work from local artists as well as travelling art exhibitions by renowned international artists. Above the gallery is the Bideford Museum, where visitors can read about the history of the historical town of Bideford.
They also have a great gift shop and are right next door to Cafe Du Parc, as recommended in the food section of my guide!
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The Burton Art Gallery and Museum
Kingsley RoadA lovely local gallery located next to Victoria Park in Bideford. They feature work from local artists as well as travelling art exhibitions by renowned international artists. Above the gallery is the Bideford Museum, where visitors can read about the history of the historical town of Bideford.
They also have a great gift shop and are right next door to Cafe Du Parc, as recommended in the food section of my guide!
One of my favourite walks in the area. You park at the National Trust carpark and them walk up along the coats paths to the stunning Baggy Point cliffs. The views are amazing and you feel like you're at the edge of the world.
It's also just down the road from neighbouring Croyde beach and in the evenings in summer there is the Stoned Pizza van serving fresh pizzas (including really nice Vegan options!) on the road back towards Croyde.
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Baggy Point Cliffs.
South West Coast PathOne of my favourite walks in the area. You park at the National Trust carpark and them walk up along the coats paths to the stunning Baggy Point cliffs. The views are amazing and you feel like you're at the edge of the world.
It's also just down the road from neighbouring Croyde beach and in the evenings in summer there is the Stoned Pizza van serving fresh pizzas (including really nice Vegan options!) on the road back towards Croyde.
Type Seafield House into your maps and you will be taken to the car park. This is a favourite walk for dog owners in the area and there are paths leading along the coast (follow it for a lovely walk to Abbotsham Cliffs or even further to Peppercombe and beyond!). Or you can wander up the cliffs and through the woods on one of the more sheltered paths. If you walk along the field, then take the path on your left at the end, which heads up the steep side of the hill, keep walking up and you will find the observation platform, which has wonderful views of the surrounding coastline.
Kipling Tors
24 Merley RdType Seafield House into your maps and you will be taken to the car park. This is a favourite walk for dog owners in the area and there are paths leading along the coast (follow it for a lovely walk to Abbotsham Cliffs or even further to Peppercombe and beyond!). Or you can wander up the cliffs and through the woods on one of the more sheltered paths. If you walk along the field, then take the path on your left at the end, which heads up the steep side of the hill, keep walking up and you will find the observation platform, which has wonderful views of the surrounding coastline.
I love Hartland Point - it has dramatic coastal vistas featuring Hartland's recognisable black rock formations and every changing water colours. You can swim in the shallow part of the beach but anyone, regardless of swimming ability, should be wary to swim deeper as currents are strong off the headland.
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Hartland Point
I love Hartland Point - it has dramatic coastal vistas featuring Hartland's recognisable black rock formations and every changing water colours. You can swim in the shallow part of the beach but anyone, regardless of swimming ability, should be wary to swim deeper as currents are strong off the headland.
Family Fun
The Big Sheep Farm and Theme park in Abbotsham has lots of opportunities for animal lovers to get up close with their farm animals. They have indoor and outdoor play areas as well as a rollercoaster for bigger kids.
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大綿羊.
Abbotsham RoadThe Big Sheep Farm and Theme park in Abbotsham has lots of opportunities for animal lovers to get up close with their farm animals. They have indoor and outdoor play areas as well as a rollercoaster for bigger kids.
Torrington Commons is where I take my children and dogs when I want to get out in nature, splash in some streams and finish up with a play in the "castle park" and a Hocking's ice cream.
You park at the commons (free) car park and walk down the fields/meadow and into the forest, hwere there are winding paths through the trees. There are river swings hidden around the place, although they constantly move, so keep your eyes peeled!
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Torrington Commons
South StreetTorrington Commons is where I take my children and dogs when I want to get out in nature, splash in some streams and finish up with a play in the "castle park" and a Hocking's ice cream.
You park at the commons (free) car park and walk down the fields/meadow and into the forest, hwere there are winding paths through the trees. There are river swings hidden around the place, although they constantly move, so keep your eyes peeled!
These guys are located right by one of the cut-in paths to The Tarka Trail. They do bikes of all sizes (including tandems and with kiddy or doggy wagons) and send you off with a puncture repair kit, just in case!
We love the Bideford to Torrington trail, which takes you to The Puffing Billy for lunch, or if you push on slightly further The Yarde Orchard Cafe in East Yarde.
You can also cycle a slightly shorter route to Instow for a sandwhich at The Glorious Oyster or a drink in one of their many pubs and restaurants. You can also cycle further for Fremington Quay and lunch at their cafe or for those with legs of steel, further still to Barnstaple and Braunton.
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Tarka Trail Cycle Hire
These guys are located right by one of the cut-in paths to The Tarka Trail. They do bikes of all sizes (including tandems and with kiddy or doggy wagons) and send you off with a puncture repair kit, just in case!
We love the Bideford to Torrington trail, which takes you to The Puffing Billy for lunch, or if you push on slightly further The Yarde Orchard Cafe in East Yarde.
You can also cycle a slightly shorter route to Instow for a sandwhich at The Glorious Oyster or a drink in one of their many pubs and restaurants. You can also cycle further for Fremington Quay and lunch at their cafe or for those with legs of steel, further still to Barnstaple and Braunton.
This company is run by Mike and Jo, husband and wife duo and with tens of years of climb lead experience between them. They offer both adult and kids adventures including rock climbing and coasteering and are well worth contacting to book a memorable adventure ahead of your stay!
The Kids Adventure Company
10 Rumsam MeadowsThis company is run by Mike and Jo, husband and wife duo and with tens of years of climb lead experience between them. They offer both adult and kids adventures including rock climbing and coasteering and are well worth contacting to book a memorable adventure ahead of your stay!
These guys are the most recommended surf school in the Bideford area and are located right on the beach. I haven't used them myself but previous guests have thoroughly enjoyed the lessons, so I am happy to recommend them to anyone looking to catch a wave while on holiday here! :)
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North Devon Surf School
1 Pebbleridge RdThese guys are the most recommended surf school in the Bideford area and are located right on the beach. I haven't used them myself but previous guests have thoroughly enjoyed the lessons, so I am happy to recommend them to anyone looking to catch a wave while on holiday here! :)
Sometimes the kids just want a park to play in! This is the biggest in the area and in the summer the kids paddling pool is open to the public (free of charge).
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維多利亞公園
39 Kingsley RdSometimes the kids just want a park to play in! This is the biggest in the area and in the summer the kids paddling pool is open to the public (free of charge).
My favourite beaches
This is our favourite beach to visit. It's a bit off the beaten track and usually only frequented by locals, and although it gets a bit busier in peak seasons, most tourists head to neighbouring Bude beach, so Northcott is usually quieter!
It has beautiful rock formations and lots of rockpools for the kids to explore and even bath - deep ones for them to play in!
The surf is also great at this beach and there are lifeguards on duty in peak season. When the tide is out you can walk along the beach to neighbouring Sandymouth and Bude and back again.
There is also a little cafe serving drinks, snacks and most importantly - cream teas!
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Northcott Mouth Beach
This is our favourite beach to visit. It's a bit off the beaten track and usually only frequented by locals, and although it gets a bit busier in peak seasons, most tourists head to neighbouring Bude beach, so Northcott is usually quieter!
It has beautiful rock formations and lots of rockpools for the kids to explore and even bath - deep ones for them to play in!
The surf is also great at this beach and there are lifeguards on duty in peak season. When the tide is out you can walk along the beach to neighbouring Sandymouth and Bude and back again.
There is also a little cafe serving drinks, snacks and most importantly - cream teas!
Saunton Sands is the UK's equivalent to Surfers Paradise. The sweeping, sandy beach is open and offers beautiful and dramatic views along the coast to Hartland and Baggy Point. It's backed by huge sand dunes, which are great for marauding children to explore.
You can book surf lessons from Surf Saunton, surf school, and there are shower facilities and bathrooms etc available at the beach.
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Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is the UK's equivalent to Surfers Paradise. The sweeping, sandy beach is open and offers beautiful and dramatic views along the coast to Hartland and Baggy Point. It's backed by huge sand dunes, which are great for marauding children to explore.
You can book surf lessons from Surf Saunton, surf school, and there are shower facilities and bathrooms etc available at the beach.
This place is authentically North Devon and is as uncommercial as you can get - no pubs or cafes, just a historical little hamlet tucked onto as cliff face and accessed via beautifully steep and winding road.
Theres a car park and in peak season artists residencies take place in Bucks Mills Cabin, so you may arrive at a time where you can have a peak around the cabin.
It's a rocky beach, which features a waterfall and impressive views out to sea. I did an artist residency in the cabin and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the surrounding woods.
It's a great spot to set out from if you're walking the coast path as you can either walk to Clovelly or the opposite direction will take you to Peppercombe beach.
Please be aware that access to the beach is down a very steep walkway, so may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.
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Buck's Mills
This place is authentically North Devon and is as uncommercial as you can get - no pubs or cafes, just a historical little hamlet tucked onto as cliff face and accessed via beautifully steep and winding road.
Theres a car park and in peak season artists residencies take place in Bucks Mills Cabin, so you may arrive at a time where you can have a peak around the cabin.
It's a rocky beach, which features a waterfall and impressive views out to sea. I did an artist residency in the cabin and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the surrounding woods.
It's a great spot to set out from if you're walking the coast path as you can either walk to Clovelly or the opposite direction will take you to Peppercombe beach.
Please be aware that access to the beach is down a very steep walkway, so may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.
Food scene
This lovely little fresh food shack is located in the sand dunes at Instow. They serve delicious food, made from scratch and using local and nutritious ingredients.
They are dog friendly and have all outdoor seating (and canopies for when it rains!). They're known for serving the best oysters in the area, however my personal favourite is whichever Thai curry they're serving that day or one of their homemade fish finger sandwhiches!
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The Glorious Oyster
This lovely little fresh food shack is located in the sand dunes at Instow. They serve delicious food, made from scratch and using local and nutritious ingredients.
They are dog friendly and have all outdoor seating (and canopies for when it rains!). They're known for serving the best oysters in the area, however my personal favourite is whichever Thai curry they're serving that day or one of their homemade fish finger sandwhiches!
My favourite pizza place in the area, by far! Local produce, friendly staff, great drinks selection, crispy based wood-fired pizzas and delicious crust dips (I highly recommend the hot honey dip and smoked garlic aioli dip!).
Plus, it's right by the beach so great before or after an evening stroll!
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Pig and Olive, Westward Ho!
1 Pebbleridge RdMy favourite pizza place in the area, by far! Local produce, friendly staff, great drinks selection, crispy based wood-fired pizzas and delicious crust dips (I highly recommend the hot honey dip and smoked garlic aioli dip!).
Plus, it's right by the beach so great before or after an evening stroll!
My favourite place to eat in the area - I love it so much I booked it for my wedding day meal!
It's a really beautifully renovated property in the heart of Woolsery village, about 20 minutes from Northam. They offer a fantastic wine and ale menu and their food is superb and always top notch. I can't recommend them enough for a really wonderful meal. I recommend the best chicken liver parfait I've evert tasted and their fish of the day is always stunning.
They have also recently extended their menu to include more plant based options, so this is a real winner all around.
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The Farmers Arms
My favourite place to eat in the area - I love it so much I booked it for my wedding day meal!
It's a really beautifully renovated property in the heart of Woolsery village, about 20 minutes from Northam. They offer a fantastic wine and ale menu and their food is superb and always top notch. I can't recommend them enough for a really wonderful meal. I recommend the best chicken liver parfait I've evert tasted and their fish of the day is always stunning.
They have also recently extended their menu to include more plant based options, so this is a real winner all around.
French bistro food in the heart of Bideford! We eat in here so often that we're now friends with the owner, Joe. They serve fantastic and affordable plait du jour (plate of the day) including savoury galettes, sweet crepes and lovely coffees and cakes.
My favourites from them are: the vegan tzigan, their house sauvignon blanc, their duck cassoulet and if they have it that day, their chocolate genache cake.
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Cafe Du Parc
39 Kingsley RdFrench bistro food in the heart of Bideford! We eat in here so often that we're now friends with the owner, Joe. They serve fantastic and affordable plait du jour (plate of the day) including savoury galettes, sweet crepes and lovely coffees and cakes.
My favourites from them are: the vegan tzigan, their house sauvignon blanc, their duck cassoulet and if they have it that day, their chocolate genache cake.
Lovely Thai place right on the square in Westward-Ho! - they do both dine in and take away.
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Morans Restaurant & Bar
Golf Links RoadLovely Thai place right on the square in Westward-Ho! - they do both dine in and take away.
Bideford's answer to fine dining. Number 8 are run by a local couple (he cooks, she serves!) and produce exceptional food on their tasting menus.
We highly recommend this place for a special occasion and booking in advance is essential as waiting lists are long.
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Number Eight
49 Allhalland StBideford's answer to fine dining. Number 8 are run by a local couple (he cooks, she serves!) and produce exceptional food on their tasting menus.
We highly recommend this place for a special occasion and booking in advance is essential as waiting lists are long.
Run by a lovely young couple - he cooks, she serves! They do great wine, authentic French dishes made with fresh locally sourced ingredients. It's a relaxed and cosy atmosphere just off the quay in Bideford
Le Petit Monde
4 Cooper StRun by a lovely young couple - he cooks, she serves! They do great wine, authentic French dishes made with fresh locally sourced ingredients. It's a relaxed and cosy atmosphere just off the quay in Bideford