North Devon

[DancingQueen2018]

Planning a 6 night stay here over the summer but where???
Kids want to surf (and I can’t be doing with going all the way to Newquay) but I assume we can drive and park at the beach - even if it is chaos?
We usually eat in but will probably eat out/takeaway a couple of times so having that within walking distance would be handy. So maybe a village. Any good suggestions?

I really like Bude and Widemouth Bay

mych cheaper and easier to get to than Cornwall, we have had surf lessons at both, plus did a brilliant kayak experience at Bude Canal which ended in the sea…highly recommend!

croyde also lovely

I don’t actually think you can go wrong on that coast!

Not Ilfracombe, it's a tacky dump. Woolacombe on the other hand is gorgeous.

Croyde, Woolacombe or Bude. What sort of accommodation do you want?

Croyde, Bude and Woolacombe would all really fit your bill.

Cross post almost identical @WonderingWanda 😀

Westward Ho! Huge burrows car park to park in and 3 miles of sandy beach. Lifeguards too. Many rock pools, sea swimming pool, and various eateries. You’re welcome.

I’m being picky here but Bude is Cornwall. It would work for what you’re after though.
If you want Devon, Woolacombe. Westward Ho! perhaps, my local beach. Saunton sands / Braunton.

Croyde for sure. Have fun 🤩

I’m after an air bnb/cottage/house. My kids need their own space 😂. Is it totally manic over the summer? I live on the Kent seaside and try to avoid driving around anywhere if possible! Trying to work out if it’s advantageous to get as close to the beach as possible or if driving is manageable?

We generally have stayed walkable to Bea h but then have done some days out, driving has been ok.

sorry forgot that Bude is Cornwall, it does feel like N Devon more though.

Saunton sands is amazing!
we had a fab holiday in Appledore too.

Yes it’s totally manic in the summer and Croyde is horrible to drive around. Sorry.

look for an Air BnB in Bucks Mills.
gorgeous little secluded beach ( not for surfing). Woods and stunning costal path around you.
then easy to drive to Westward Ho or Bude to surf. Duckpool and morwenstow near by too (but more for experienced surfers)

also pop in the clovelly for a lovely little village that you do have to pay to visit!

farmers arms in Woolsery for food near by is great.
Appledore very much worth a visit (the royal George is great for food).

Croyde fits your bill perfectly but make sure you’re walkable to the beach as the roads in and out are a nightmare in summer.

Croyde is good and there is a national trust carpark at the end of the beach if you have a card. Go for fish and chips from the Morthoe chippy after a surf (best I've had), with a drink in the pub while you wait, but check the opening times. We sometimes drive to Woolacombe to eat them sat on the grassy bank above the beach watching the sunset.

Further down towards Bude then there is a string of fantastic and often empty beaches from Hartland point down to Duckpool. They are beaches for exploring, not surfing/swimming. The coast path is stunning, and you will have the best home cooked English cafe food you will ever eat at Rectory Tea Rooms at Morewenstow - never had a single duff plate from there. You can surf from Sandymouth, Nothcott Mouth, the two Bude beaches and Widemouth - all are lifeguarded. Sandymouth is my favourite - absolutely stunning, has a NT carpark, cafe, shop and toilet and that's it. Miles of sand and cliffs to walk along at low tide and you can take dogs all year round. It's perfect IMHO. Don't rock up at high tide tho as the beach is reduced to a slither for a couple of hours. If you do, you can always have a cliff walk and then have a bite to eat in the cafe untill it goes out a bit.

Bude & Widemouth Bay are in Cornwall!

Saunton Sands & Croyde in N Devon are both lovely. Braunton is a good base as it has plenty of restaurants.

Bude area does get busy but it's nowhere near as manic as how things get further down the coast into Cornwall. We have always driven with no stress in the school holidays.

Croyde is a bit of a pain, but it never horrific, is how I would describe it. Gets a bit jammed up in Saunton en route

Only just in Cornwall tho