Recommendations for things to do in North Devon please

[StanHouseMuir]

Visiting the area next week with two DC and would like to hear what's worth visiting and what's not.

Any nice beaches other than Woolacombe?

Any adveture parks?

Things to do if it rains?

Bicycle hire and routes?

Thanks all!

You have to do the tarka trail. Hire bikes at Bideford and cycle up the side of the estuary on the old railway line through Intsow (good beach and fantastic views) up to Barnstable. Fab second hand bookshop in Bideford with a really smelly cellar where all the kids books are which is unfortunate.

Clovelly is a rip off so best avoided. Sorry don't know about adventure parks by dc hate them.

There's a pottery somewhere around there where you can throw your own pot on a rainy day. can't remember the location but the tourist information at Bideford or Barnstable would have a leaflet if you email them.

Have good time

Bumpint to watch as I'm going there in a couple of weeks.

Bumping even.

This looks good;

www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk/

I would second the Tarka trail.

Appledore is lovely, and Instow has a lovely beach.

Great Torrington is a nice little town, lots of little shops.

Westward Ho! has a lovely beach.

We went to Big Sheep but didn't find it that great, it was quite expensive.

The Dartington glass blowing factory in Great Torrington is a great day out, and relatively cheap.

It's fascinating to see how glass is traditionally made. Get there early.

Go to Lee Bay - the most beautiful rocky beach with lots of rockpools and seaweed to investigate, caves when the tide is out, and lovely clear water for swimming. It's my favourite beach in the world - very beautiful and not too touristy. Don't know how old your DC are but my sister and I loved it and went every year from the ages of about 6 onwards.

will you be near exeter? Is thaT Norht devon?

Watermouth Castle is a small theme park, a bit quirky but OK for a day. Also Lynton/Lynmouth cliff railway and Lynmouth Glen Lyn gorge water power museum.

Have a google....

You can use Tesco vouchers for The Big sheep though. Doesn't seem so bad then
DS and DD enjoyed it there, I was not as keen!

I think our problem with The Big Sheep was the fact that we live in rural Wales. So watching sheep shearing is a fact of life rather than a tourist attraction. But if you lived in a city it would probably be quite interesting!

Ilfracombe Museum is very old-fashioned - including things like display cabinets of victorian wedding cakes. My DCs all loved it.

Thanks all. I like the fact that Watermouth Castle allows you back in for a second visit for £1.50 each.

I've heard conflicting reports about the Big Sheep, some rave about it and others say it's a load of overpriced tosh.

Would second avoiding Clovelly - it's a rip off, boring and completely full of wasps right now!

The only good thing is it gives your legs and bum a bit of a workout.

combe martin dinosaur park good. woolacome beach. the milky way is good too.

watermouth castle wasnt great

Summer Leaze Beach in Bude........we love it.
Big sheep is good, also the milky way is a good day out.
Definitely the Tarka Trail.