Wollacombe

[NrlySp]

Going to Wollacombe for a 4 night break in June.
15 year old, elderly but active grandparents, me in 40s and sister with a puppy.
Would really appreciate recommendations for places to eat and activities. Never been before.
visited illfrecombe a few years back and liked it a lot
we have a car.
thank you!

Barricane Beach is a must. It is a picturesque cove tucked between the rocks and the beach cafe is famous for Sri Lanken curries! It’s around half a mile from Woolacombe Beach and is a great spot for a bit of rockpooling too.
Hire bikes and cycle the Tarka Trail. It’s worth knowing that the bike hire place in Barnstaple has got some ebikes. We made it as far south as Puffing Billy Cafe which was a lovely stop for a rest and bite to eat.

If you are national trust members, Arlington court is a great property.
Valley of the rocks is fascinating from a geological perspective, and has some stunning coastal walks, it's also got some good folklore attached to it and is meant to have had many a Witch and Druid live within its stoney outcrops!
Lynton and lynmouth are connected by a Victorian cliff railway, if you have an engineer amongst you it's a must do, both have an interesting history, and lynmouth has a pebble beach.
If it's shopping you are after there is a large retail park on the Atlantic highway, just outside Bideford.
Appledore is a 'cutesy' little place and clovelly, is a very old fishing village with cobbled streets (but no cars so a fair bit of walking is required)
If you are a film buff Heartland abbey is worth a peek! It's been used as the backdrop for films and TV series inc. Malory towers. It is privately owned but open to the public, check opening times before you go. The house has a lovely feeling, perhaps because it's still lived in, but it doesn't feel like 'show piece', it's got a very homely vibe.

There is a pub in Woolocombe called The Jube which we ate in three times on our holiday and it was always good. Busy with a nice atmosphere. I can't remember if you can book but we never had trouble getting a table in August with a party of 8. There was also a great wood fired pizza takeaway and an ice cream parlour that we enjoyed.

You can hire beach huts really cheaply on Wollocombe beach. You can book them online. We hired one for two weeks and we had days where we took breakfast with us , bought pasties for lunch and then had a bbq on the beach in the evening.

We also went to Dunster Castle and Lynmouth and Lynton to do the Cliff railway.

Ask meant to mention that The Jube pub is dog friendly.

Thanks all! Lots to try

I don't know how long ago you went to Ilfracombe but it's a dump these days!

Woolacombe is lovely, as is Croyde Bay. Saunton sands is a lovely beach too.

What makes you say Ilfracombe's a dump hellcats? Just wondering as I live there and it seems fine to me. It can get a bit overcrowded with tourists in the summer, but other than that, I think it's great!

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There are a few nice places to eat in Woolacombe, but if this summer is anything like last year I'd recommend deciding where you want to go and booking in advance.

Places I like to eat at are Brundles, Bar Electric and the Tides Inn (all have lovely views). There's also The Red Barn which is opposite the main beach car park and has just re-opened with new owners, so I ca't say what the food's like.

In between Woolacombe and Ilfracombe is The Depot Eatery which does fantastic pizzas and Sunday lunches.

There are also a couple of nice traditional pubs at Mortehoe that do food but can get quite busy.

Dogs can go on most of the beach at Woolacombe (the bit nearest the car parks is dog free in summer).

Westward Ho! is also nice for a day out ~ fish and chips, amusements, go-karts and Hockings ice cream (the best!)