North Devon.. what should we not miss!!

[Ruthiebabes]

Going to Manleigh Holiday Park in Coombe Martin for May Half Term. Has anyone been to that park?? What is Coombe Martin like?? I think we are about 20 mins from Woolacoombe.

We will have a car and so will explore the area. What would you recommend? Kids aged 3 and 5.

Thanks in advance.

cream tea in Withypool, the one one in the village and she makes the scones in the shop during the day so they are not only home made but fresh - just remember to put the clotted cream on the scone first and then add the jam [wink you dont get in a pickle that way and acheive a larger helping of cream....

After which you travel to tar steps and walk of the said scone and cream and take a small towel so that your dc can paddle in the stream.

Clovelly is also a pretty village on the road to bude the other side of fairy Cross. I you dont fancy walking back up there is a land rover service to take you back to the top.

Westwood Ho! armed with a fishing net and tackle the rock pools, great fun for children.

Bigbury on sea - beach is amazing, there is a pub also on the beach and a tractor ride when the tide comes in - a total must!

Coombe Martin is small and quiet but has the best rock-pools that we could find!! No sandy beach but would really recommend ..
Putsborough Beach - fab beach & great little beachside cafe and loos!
Narrow lanes to get there so bear that in mind when you time when you leave or arrive.(we hope to go back this summer)

The Thatch Pub in Croyde - very popular so you might want to book. Great food, quick service and very child-friendly.Only 10 minutes from Putsborough beach.
Croyde is lovely to potter around and you need 'surfwear' etc this is a great place to get it.

'The big Sheep' @ Bideford if you are down that way ... great for a rainy day and you can use tesco vouchers for entry

Exmoor Zoological Park nr Barnstaple

Happy 1/2 term

My in laws live in Combe Martin! It's fairly quiet but is really close to lots of nice beaches. There is a Dinosaur Park there that has monkeys etc in which is apparently quite fun but i've not been.

I second Putsborough beach, it's lovely there and Woolacoombe is a nice day out too, there is a great beach, a few shops near the beach, a little golf course etc.

Beaches - Saunton Sands - v. big, good for walks and games, Croyde beach, Putsborough my personal fave. Walking over Baggy Point and a great walk iMorte Point. Mortehoe lovely village and nice tea rooms in B&B there. Great little cafe on Barricane Beach, a beach full of tiny crushed shells that come in on a tide from the West Indies - you can find tiny cowries and take a mug of tea onto the small covey beach and look for them - great cake too. Landacre Bridge great on Exmoor, Tarr Steps on Exmoor. walk to Heddons Mouth. Phew - any more wanted, let me know!!

Rent bikes and cycle the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple to Torrington. Stop at Instow and eat Hockings Ice Cream (my personal childhood favourite).

Eat a cream tea every day. It's the Law.

Please have a fish and chip tea at Squires Chippy in Braunton. I have eaten lots of fish and chips over the years (don't my thighs know it!) and I have NEVER had such a lovely fish and chips as there. 10 out of 10!

the dinosaur park is fab...my kids, aged 7, 4 and 2 all loved it, as did we...

www.dinosaur-park.com/index2.htm

lynton was lovely and has a special water tram thing that goes up and down a really steep cliff..

www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/

croyde has a lovely sandy beach, and i second the rockpools in combe martin!

We go to Woolacombe every year. Can really recommend the coastal path if your littles aren't TOO little!

Oh, just seen they are 3 and 5. Well, ds loves bodyboarding in the sea at Woolacombe. It is shallow for miles, so safe. Go to Grunter beach, which is further along and really fun for climbing rocks and finding rock pools.

Lynton/Lynmouth lovely

Heddon's Mouth is a great walk - not too far

We also love Mortehoe. Great chippie there and nice cream tea garden.

I third the dinosaur park great for little ones.

The 50's style cafe on the seafront (next to potwallopers bistro which also goes lovely mussels) - (just past the Hockings icecream van) at Westward Ho! serves fab hot chocolates (fab after a quick dip in the sea) Rockpooling there good.

If you miss the ockings ice cream van at Instow there is one at Appledore at the end of the quay, another at Bideford near the charles Kingsley satue and one at Westwood ho!

This is my favourite place in the world and in a year or two I hope to be living there.

Hartland Quay and Hartland beach are really nice. The beach is small and there is amazing rock formations. it does not allow dogs though (but children are ok!!)

Appledore is a good place for crab fishing (not ones to eat, just to look at). You can get little nets/ropes etc and sit on the quay and catch them. There is also a postoffice which sells really good Cornish pasties.

Watermouth Castle is fun for a day out - its just outside Combe Martin and has a large outdoor fun area as well as a spooky themed inside.

Bude is a little further, but has two family friendly beaches, one with a gentle river meeting the sea - really pretty and lots of sand

I could go on and on but you will feel like you have had your holiday already and be fed up with the whole thing!!

Am bookmarking this as we are going to Woolacombe this summer. Haven't been to the area for 20 years so thanks for the up-to-date info!

Thanks for all your great suggestions. Not long to go now!!

agree with all above

except westward ho, that place is the pits

I am a current resident of Combe Martin and can confirm the Wildlife Park is a great day out!

The Big Sheep is also a laugh and Watermouth Castle should be open soon.
There are various walks around the village depending on how adventurous you are lol!

The Mucky Duck at your holiday park is our fav place to eat out. Its a bit like a wooden ski chalet (in a nice way) and has gream freshly cooked food and a bar. The Marine (pub) is also a good bet but does get busy and therefore sometimes a bit slow service but very friendly!

The Harbour Deli near the seafront is a great place for lunch but tiny so you'll have to squeeze in! So reasonable to lovely salads, quiches, etc.

I work in Woolacombe and the beach is spectacular. There is parking all along the Esplanade (pay & display) if you get there early or plenty of (extortionate) car parks otherwise.

The Tunnels (google it) in Ilfracombe is also great for families. It has a cafe with soft play area and outside play boat and is a great place to have lunch while the kids play!

I hope you have a lovely holiday!!!!!!!!

*great not gream! :s

Rachel2796.. thanks for your great info. We hope to be in the Mucky Duck most evenings!!
I may cook in once or twice!