14 Beautiful Places to Visit in North Devon
14 Beautiful Places to Visit in North Devon
This guide covers my favourite places to visit in North Devon, from beaches and villages to coastal walks and easy day trips. North Devon is my home county. I explored many of these places growing up, and others I discovered later in life when I returned to visit family. No matter how many times I come back, it’s still one of my favourite places in the UK.
For me, there’s something about being by the coast here that always makes me feel like I can breathe. The cliffs, wide beaches, colourful villages and slower pace of life all come together in a way that feels grounding and familiar.
Why North Devon Is Worth Visiting
One of the things I love most about North Devon is how many different ways there are to explore it. The South West Coast Path, which runs right through the area, offers some of the most dramatic coastal walking in the UK, with clifftop views, hidden coves and long stretches where you can walk for miles without seeing anyone else.
Alongside this, the Tarka Trail is a walking and cycling route that follows the old railway line through North Devon and into Exmoor. Because it’s flatter and largely traffic-free, it’s perfect if you want to explore at a slower pace. I’ve spent countless hours walking sections of the coast path and cycling parts of the Tarka Trail, and both give completely different but equally special ways to experience this part of the South West.
If you’re planning a UK staycation, coastal road trip or longer break by the sea, this guide covers the best places to visit in North Devon, along with when to go, how to get around, where to eat and highly rated places to stay.
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Best Time to Visit North Devon
- May, June and September offer the best balance of weather and quieter beaches
- July and August are warm but busy
- Spring and autumn are perfect for walking, photography and coastal scenery
How to Get to North Devon
North Devon is easiest to explore by car, especially if you want to visit more than one beach or village.
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- By car: Around 4 to 4.5 hours from London
- By train: Trains run to Barnstaple via Exeter
- By bus: Services run from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe, Woolacombe and Croyde, but are slower
How to Get to Around North Devon
North Devon is quite spread out, so having a car gives you the most flexibility. Many of the best places to visit, including Clovelly, Hartland and Saunton Sands, are difficult to reach without one. Having a car makes it easier to see more places to visit in North Devon in one trip.
If you don’t have a car, base yourself in Woolacombe, Ilfracombe or Barnstaple and use buses for day trips.
14 places to visit in North Devon
1. Clovelly, North Devon
Perched high above the sea, Clovelly is one of the most unique villages in the UK. Once gifted by William the Conqueror to his Queen, it clings to a 400-foot cliff and remains privately owned, which has preserved its cobbled, traffic-free streets.
Goods are still moved by wooden sledges and donkeys remain a symbol of village life. Explore the harbour, 14th-century quay and at low tide, the beach waterfall said to be linked to the legend of Merlin.
Top things to see:
→ Clovelly Court Gardens and the village museums, including the Fisherman’s Cottage
→ The cobbled main street running down to the harbour
→ The historic harbour and 14th-century quay
Where to eat:
The Red Lion Inn, Clovelly Harbour
Where to stay nearby:
£ Camping: Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde.
££ Mid-range: The Hoops Inn, Horns Cross
£££ Luxury: Saunton Sands Hotel (great views and spa)
2. Lynton and Lynmouth, North Devon
These twin villages sit where Exmoor meets the sea and are connected by the famous water-powered cliff railway. Lynmouth feels peaceful and scenic, while Lynton offers more cafés and places to stay.
Top things to see:
→ Glen Lyn Gorge, a paid waterfall walk through a dramatic wooded gorge
→ The water-powered Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
→ Lynmouth Harbour, coastal and riverside walks
Where to eat:
The Rising Sun Hotel, Lynmouth
Where to stay:
££ Mid-range: Rockvale House, Lynmouth
£££ Luxury nearby: Kentisbury Grange
3. Valley of Rocks, North Devon
Just outside Lynton, the Valley of Rocks offers one of North Devon’s most dramatic landscapes. Wild goats roam the cliffs and the coastal views are especially striking at sunset.
There are no facilities here other than toilets, so I usually combine this walk with lunch back in Lynton.
Top things to see:
→ The coastal path with views back towards Lynton
→ The dramatic rock formations and clifftop views
→ Goats roaming the cliffs
4. Appledore, North Devon
Appledore is very close to my heart. It’s a village I grew up knowing and one that’s become popular for its colourful houses, narrow streets and estuary views.
This place is personal for me too, as my dad grew up in Appledore, so it always carries a sense of family history when I visit.
Top things to see:
→ Riverside walks along the estuary
→ Irsha Street and the colourful houses
→ The quay and working harbour
Where to eat:
The Beaver Inn
Hocking’s ice cream, which is genuinely one of the best in the UK
Where to stay nearby:
££ Mid-range: The Royal Hotel, Bideford
5. Instow, North Devon
Across the estuary from Appledore, Instow feels relaxed and scenic, with a sandy beach and gentle coastal walks. It’s ideal for a quieter afternoon.
Top things to see:
→ Sunset walks along the shoreline
→ Instow Beach with views across the estuary
→The Tarka Trail running through the village
Where to eat:
The Boathouse
Hocking’s ice cream
Where to stay:
££ Mid-range: Commodore Hotel, Instow
6. Westward Ho!, North Devon
Known for its long sandy beach, Westward Ho! makes a good base for exploring this part of the coast.
Top things to see:
→ Northam Burrows Country Park
→ Westward Ho! Beach and pebble ridge
→ The South West Coast Path heading north or south
Where to eat:
The Pier House for food and drinks with sea views
Moran’s Restaurant for Thai-inspired dishes and something a bit different
Atlantic Bay for fish and chips that nearly always has a queue
Where to stay:
Westward Ho! itself is mostly made up of holiday apartments and private rentals. If you’re looking for a traditional hotel that’s easy to book, I recommend staying nearby in Bideford, which is only a short drive away.
££ Mid-range hotel: The Royal Hotel, Bideford
7. Ilfracombe, North Devon
Ilfracombe has developed into a creative harbour town with a strong food scene. The harbour is the focal point and home to Damien Hirst’s Verity sculpture.
Top things to see:
→ Coastal boat trips and cliffside viewpoints
→ lfracombe Harbour
→ Damien Hirst’s Verity sculpture
Where to eat:
Fore Street
The Quay Café
Where to stay:
££ Mid-range: The Carlton Hotel
8. Woolacombe, North Devon
Best known for its long sandy beach and consistent surf, Woolacombe is one of the most popular beaches in the UK. I have great memories here as a child at the annual sandcastle competition.
Top things to see:
→ Views from the South West Coast Path above the beach
→ Woolacombe Beach and sand dunes
→ Sunset walks along the shoreline
Where to eat:
Barricane Beach Café
Where to stay (both with great views):
££ Mid-range: Watersmeet Hotel
£££ Luxury: Woolacombe Bay Hotel
9. Croyde, North Devon
Croyde has a laid-back surf vibe and one of the best beaches in North Devon.
Top things to see:
→ The village green and traditional pubs
→ Croyde Bay and its surf beach
→ Baggy Point coastal walk
Where to eat:
The Thatch
Where to stay:
£ Camping: Ruda Holiday Park
£££ Luxury: Saunton Sands Hotel (great views and spa)
10. Saunton Sands, North Devon
Saunton Sands Beach is vast, dramatic and backed by huge dunes with views over Braunton Burrows, and it’s one of my favourite beaches in North Devon. A fun fact for music fans is that Robbie Williams’ iconic Angels music video was filmed here, with the wide golden sands as the backdrop.
If you fancy a bite right by the beach, Beachside Grill is a well-loved barbecue-style bar and grill right on Saunton Sands and I love the views here over the sea. Perfect for lunch after a long walk. For something a bit quieter, The Break, Saunton is a lovely cafe not far from the beach for coffee and snacks.
Top things to see:
→ Coastal walks with views over the estuary
→ The vast sandy beach backed by dunes
→ Braunton Burrows UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Where to eat:
The Beachside Grill
The Break, Saunton
Where to stay:
£££ Luxury: Saunton Sands Hotel (great views and spa)
11. Hartland, North Devon
Hartland feels rugged and remote, with a wild coastline and some of the best walking routes in North Devon. It’s also been used as a filming location over the years, thanks to its dramatic cliffs and untouched landscapes.
One of my favourite walks here is the route down to Speke’s Mill Mouth Waterfall, where the waterfall spills straight onto the beach. It’s one of those places that really makes you feel how powerful this coastline is.
Top things to see:
→ Remote stretches of the South West Coast Path
→ Hartland Quay and dramatic cliffs
→ The walk to Spekes Mill Mouth Waterfall
Where to eat:
The Wreckers Bar & Restaurant
Where to stay:
££ Mid-range: Hartland Quay Hotel
12. Combe Martin, North Devon
Combe Martin is home to Broadsands Beach, often compared to Thailand on calm days thanks to its turquoise water and dramatic cliffs.
My tip: Even if you aren’t staying at the Sandy Cove Hotel, on a nice day go and get a drink and sit outside for the views.
Top things to see:
→ Cliff viewpoints looking out to sea
→ Broadsands Beach and the sheltered cove
→ Coastal walks around Combe Martin Bay
Where to stay:
££ Mid-range: Sandaway Beach Holiday Park
£££ Mid-luxury: Sandy Cove Hotel
13. Bideford, North Devon
My lovely hometown of Bideford. Sitting on the River Torridge, it’s a historic market town with a real maritime past, and it makes a brilliant base for exploring North Devon, especially for Appledore, Instow and Westward Ho!
Bideford is also a great starting point for the Tarka Trail, a scenic walking and cycling route inspired by Tarka the Otter. I love cycling along the estuary from Bideford to Instow, especially on a calm day when the water is still and you can just take your time.
The town is sometimes referred to as the “Little White Town”, a nickname that comes from its historic whitewashed buildings, and it’s something you still notice as you walk around today.
Top things to see:
→ The Tarka Trail towards Instow
→ The historic Long Bridge
→ Riverside walks along the Torridge
Where to eat:
Mill Street Brasserie for a proper sit-down meal
Belluno for something more relaxed
Quay 22 relaxed cafe option with river views
If you visit in the warmer months, I also recommend having a drink on Café Onboard, the quirky little café boat moored on the river.
Where to stay:
££ Mid-range hotel: The Royal Hotel, Bideford
14. Lydford Gorge (Worth the Short Drive)
Although technically in West Devon, Lydford Gorge is close enough to include if you have a car. I visited with my mum on a trip back home and it ended up being one of those days I’ll always remember.
It’s one of the UK’s rare temperate rainforests, filled with moss-covered trees, ferns and waterfalls, including the White Lady Waterfall and the Devil’s Cauldron.
It’s owned by the National Trust and there is a fee to enter.
Top things to see:
→ Moss-covered paths through temperate rainforest
→White Lady Waterfall
→ The Devil’s Cauldron
Where to Stay in North Devon (By Price)
Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury
Other things to do in North Devon
Map of North Devon
Final Thoughts: the most beautiful places to visit in North Devon
Overall, North Devon offers some of the most varied scenery in the UK, from dramatic cliffs and surf beaches to colourful villages and peaceful coastal walks.
In addition, North Devon is easy to explore if you plan ahead. For example, having a car makes it much simpler to link coastal villages and beaches together. However, even without a car, buses connect many of the main towns. Meanwhile, walking and cycling routes offer a slower way to experience the area, especially along the coast and estuaries.
It’s a place I’ll always return to, and whether it’s your first visit or you’re coming back like I often do, there’s always something new to discover.
For more UK inspiration:
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