Holidaying near Bideford...anyone know the area..?

[OlderNotWiser]

Hi, in a few weeks time we are renting a cottage in north Devon in a place called Great Torrington which looks close-ish to Bideford. We have 2 boys, 5 months and 2 and a half and wondered if anyone knows the area and can recommend things to do, places to visit with small ones etc. Thanks!

The big sheep is good. Farm type place with sheep racing,lamb feeding,cow milking etc.

The big sheep is good. Farm type place with sheep racing,lamb feeding,cow milking etc.

If the weather is nice Saunton Sands is one of the safest beaches in the country and good for rock pooling.

Thanks, will add both of those to my visit list!

Rosemoor Garden is just outside Torrington, lovely to have a stroll in with the pushchair, lots of space to run round for the 2yr old and a nice cafe for lunch. Exmoor Zoo.

You can hire bikes at Bideford (with baby seats or trailers) and cycle the Tarka Trail - an old disused railway line so very flat. Westward Ho beach is nice as well as Saunton Sands. Instow is nice for a visit - there's a pub/restaurant called the Boat House which has great food.

I think Dartington Crystal is at / near Great Torrington. Glass factory doesn't sound like a good idea with DSs but my DS (2.3 at the time)loved it and he made a glass hand print. I second pretty much all of the other suggestions - bigsheep is great.
Clovelly is lovely but beware - pushchairs cannot make the trip so unless you can carry DS2 I would give it a miss.

Lovely beaches. Croyde and Putsborough Sands as well as Saunton.

Actually pushchairs could do the Clovelly trip - but you might need the landrover to take you back up.

Hi, have spent many good holidays in this area. Agree big sheep good fun and Clovelly is good, but get the landrover back and also note you have to pay to go down it. Instow is gorgeous and so is Appledor. The ice cream factory is here. Westward Ho is the most gorgeous beach and behind is grass land where you can also sit and picnic. Bideford itself is a nice small town with a market. Barnstable is the main town nice for a visit as it has hidden streets with little shops. You can also drive into Cornwall as you are not far from the boarder. Think the nearest town is Bude. Oh and go to Torrington (not Great but the other one) as there is the most fantastic fish and chip shop right on the main street. It has a small resturant at the rear. This is near the crystal factory. If you go there do the tour as it is interesting even for small kids. Also book to have the glass imprints done. Not the usual clay ones. Most of all enjoy it

Fantastic! Thanks everyone for the tips, really looking forward to going!