Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Husbands birthday whilst staying in North Devon

27 replies

Cece87 · 20/06/2023 12:11

Hi all!

We will be staying in North Devon in July and it happens to be my husbands birthday whilst we’re there. I grew up in the area but cannot for the life of me think of somewhere to go or do for him. He doesn’t like anything too romantic etc and we have a 3yr old and a 5 month old so something that we can also involve them in. Also happy to travel around Devon. Any ideas would be much apprenticed!
TIA 😊

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 20/06/2023 12:21

https://www.visitdevon.co.uk/northdevon/things-to-do/attractions/

A few ideas here.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 20/06/2023 12:27

Oh, and if he fancies a trip to Lundy, don't. The crossing can be rough and with two small children you don't want to have to deal with seasickness. You can do it by helicopter but that's Nov-March so not much good for June.

https://dayoutinengland.com/day-trip-to-lundy-island/

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 20/06/2023 12:28

What kind of thing are you thinking? A meal somewhere? A walk? A boat trip?

Original poster
Cece87 · 20/06/2023 12:33

Open to any ideas at this point in time… if we could combine it with a meal somewhere then even better!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cece87 · 20/06/2023 12:34

I should add that he’s turning 36 and we’re both young at heart so would like to keep it fun 😊

OP posts:
Thistooshallpsss · 20/06/2023 12:38

How about a sea safari looking for dolphins etc . A rib adventure would be fun but the children are too little perhaps book that just for him?

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 20/06/2023 12:42

Thistooshallpsss · 20/06/2023 12:38

How about a sea safari looking for dolphins etc . A rib adventure would be fun but the children are too little perhaps book that just for him?

Yeah, Ilfracombe sea safari is good fun - dolphins and seals can usually be spotted.

Not sure where I'd suggest for food in Ilfracombe, don't think I've ever eaten there!

Struggling to think of any activity that can include the children

otherusername · 20/06/2023 12:45

The Big Sheep in Abbotsham or the Milky Way near Clovelly?

Original poster
Cece87 · 20/06/2023 13:08

Great idea, wouldn’t have know about that so will take a look. Re the littles, I’m exclusively breastfeeding the youngest and he’s the kind of dad that likes to include the kiddies

OP posts:
Roguebludger · 20/06/2023 13:10

Honey cream tea at quince bee farm, south molton, lots for the kids to do.

massivesalads · 20/06/2023 13:22

Have you heard of the lobster pod in Hope cove?
I went there last week with my partner and 3 year old and it was beautiful!! There's a beach with a lovely short coastal walk and the restaurant has pods you can sit in with a view of the coast and has Bluetooth speakers you can connect your phone to and play your own music!

chimchimina · 20/06/2023 13:28

Water mouth Castle. An amazing place, things for all ages. As much for the adults as the kids.

Desdemona44 · 20/06/2023 13:33

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 20/06/2023 12:27

Oh, and if he fancies a trip to Lundy, don't. The crossing can be rough and with two small children you don't want to have to deal with seasickness. You can do it by helicopter but that's Nov-March so not much good for June.

https://dayoutinengland.com/day-trip-to-lundy-island/

My parents made this mistake when I was a kid - I literally don't know what they were thinking as I routinely puked on car journeys. I started about 10 minutes into the trip and just didn't stop😂

NoMoreAgeJokes · 20/06/2023 13:34

Agree with Watermouth Castle near Ilfracombe, great fun for kids and adults and nice relaxed environment

Original poster
Cece87 · 20/06/2023 13:42

Oh, this looks so lovely! It’s over a 2 hour drive from us and I’m gutted as it’s just a little too far!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cece87 · 20/06/2023 13:43

Thank you, will have a look as I haven’t been since I was a kid, only memory I have is losing my mum and dad and it being pretty traumatic at the time! 😅😂

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 20/06/2023 13:44

Pick up fish and chips from squires in Braunton and eat them on the beach at Saunton.

ReviewingTheSituation · 20/06/2023 13:47

Where in North Devon? Travel times can be long on those roads, so knowing your start point would be good.

I'd go to Lynton and Lynmouth and go on the funicular, but if you're in the bit of an Devon close to the Cornish border, that's quite a trek.

Tintagel also a favourite, but if you're in Woolacombe/Croyde/Saunton, then that's a long old way!

Wherever you are, if you see a Hocking's van, HAVE ONE. Food of the Gods.

runoutofgoodusernames · 20/06/2023 14:00

ReviewingTheSituation · 20/06/2023 13:47

Where in North Devon? Travel times can be long on those roads, so knowing your start point would be good.

I'd go to Lynton and Lynmouth and go on the funicular, but if you're in the bit of an Devon close to the Cornish border, that's quite a trek.

Tintagel also a favourite, but if you're in Woolacombe/Croyde/Saunton, then that's a long old way!

Wherever you are, if you see a Hocking's van, HAVE ONE. Food of the Gods.

Oh my goodness, yes to the Hockings! We’ve been known to have one in Torrington, one in Bideford and then another at Westward Ho! Lots to do along there too - The Big Sheep at Bideford is lovely for little ones. And then have more Hockings on your way back 😂

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 20/06/2023 17:49

Oh my goodness, yes to the Hockings! We’ve been known to have one in Torrington, one in Bideford and then another at Westward Ho!

Grew up in Devon (1960s) and Hockings were always parked on the quay in Bideford - they were out weekend treat if we'd been good. I went back this spring and there they were, on the esplanade at Westward Ho! I sent a pic to my DB is Australia saying 'Guess where I am....'

catlover33 · 20/06/2023 18:00

I love Barnstaple / Braunton / Illfracombe/Westward Ho! (My mum grew up there so many summer hols were spent there)

I would suggest a nice day out at Westward Ho! Chips on the beach for lunch, theres some arcades etc followed by a hockings. You must have a hockings ice cream!!

Hedgesfullofbirds · 20/06/2023 18:06

I second @ReviewingTheSituation's suggestion of the funicular railway between Lynmouth and Lynton, and, whilst you are there, a visit to the 'Valley Of The Rocks' is worthwhile - whilst not exactly a visitor attraction as such, the scenery is stunning and it is a very peaceful and tranquil place with a lovely tearoom. Porlock is also very much worth a visit with some lovely little eating places

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 20/06/2023 18:07

Maybe not quite a birthday activity, but my favourite walk would be Heddons Valley down to Heddons Mouth. The hunters inn is right there, so a good place to stop after for food.
Baggy point in an easy coastal walk, then on to the thatch for food.
The baby would have to be in a carrier for both, but both walks are only a mile each way, so easy for little legs.
Barricane beach do a lovely curry in the evening.

Persiana · 20/06/2023 18:16

Boat trip from illfracombe, we've done a speed one with a three year old and it was so exhilarating! Amazing scenery.
Day at puttsborough beach (far end of woolacombe beach) and dinner at the rock pub nearby, it's fantastic.
Hire bikes and do the tarka trail, plenty of pubs etc to stop at
Lynton+ lynmouth, funicular and walk to watersmeet nat trust cafe

Persiana · 20/06/2023 18:17

Porlock weir for pizza after a trip to dunster castle if very north devon

Swipe left for the next trending thread