North Devon

[saladfingers]

We're off on a long awaited family holiday for May half term at the end of this month. We're staying near Barnstaple with GPs,B/SIL +2 dogs,4DC aged 12,4,2,18months.I've been camping in Croyde many years ago and can remember fab beaches and lots of surfing but was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations particularly to keep DC entertained in good or bad weather.
TIA

The Big sheep and drive along the coast towards Bude. the tourist board websites have lists of dog ban beaches. Best to check this out before you go because if they are good surfing beaches then dogs are usually banned from May half term onwards. Good place to start is visitdevon.co.uk If you want surf lessons for the older ones best to try and book in advance if poss as May half term kicks off the season. You will have great fun - envious :)

Thanks should have remembered the dog ban as it comes into force here too on the beaches from start of May. Hoping for some good coastal walks if the weather is good.we always find it quite tricky to stimulate all DC with every day out but will check out visitdevon for some more ideas.

we went to watermouth castle which your little ones will love ( we had a 7 year old, a 4 year old and an 18 month old and no dogs) - it is a little tired but they all had a good time on the rides. We also went on the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway and then did a walk along the river up to a waterfall with a lovely NT cafe. Plus we did lots of beaches

Some more great ideas, thanks

The Tunnels beaches in Ilfracombe are a bit different. You could also hire bikes and cycle on the Tarka Trail.

go for a walk in braunton burrows (£5 hire of biosphere guide from visitor centre in Braunton),
hire bikes or walk tarka trail,
westward ho! beach clean and got surfing/body boarding c/o www.northdevonsurfschool.co.uk/courses-lessons.php or check out www.skernlodge.co.uk/ for outdoor adventure.
Buy a treasure trail (£5 from a TIC or on-line at www.treasuretrails.co.uk/) - there are about 10 for the N Devon area - some walking some driving - great for involving kids.
Gnome Reserve is a laugh
Burton Gallery has art lessons
devon wildlife trust festival in barnstaple on sat at end of your holiday
north devon.com more informative than visit devon: www.northdevon.com/events/
and and and...

have fun:)

wow! thanks very much. Really excited now. sod the weather we're going to have a great time. we were thinking we might go to the Eden project too i know its 80 odd miles but that's a damn site closer than from home. Anyone been? will the kids enjoy it?

We go to this area of Devon every year, here's what I'd recommend:

Cycling on the Tarka trail. Very family friendly, very safe, you'll be amazed at how far you can cycle. If you need to hire bikes then the guys at Biketrail at Fremington Quay really know their stuff.

Tunnels beach at Ilfracombe is good fun (but not enormous, could be busy) and the beach bar there is nice. Parking can be a headache though. There's a tiny little aquarium in Ilfracombe too which probably wouldn't hold much appeal for your 12 y.o but it's quite nice for tiny little ones.

Fantastic walking country if you're a walking sort of family. The Tarr Steps and also Heddon Mouth are good shortish walks, with tea / coffee / cider opportunities. Also walking up the gorge at Lynmouth, which is a nice small town with good icecreams too.

Exeter is a really lovely city and not horrendously far to go. If you're there, the underground passages are worth a visit (although children have to be 5+ - mine loved it)

Clovelly? Nothing like as far as the Eden Project.

I have been to the Eden Project but probably 10 years ago so pre-DC. It was very interesting but I'm not sure I'd travel that distance from North Devon for it.