Cheap (but clean!) holiday in Devon/ Somerset?

[FreddoBaggyMac]

We have hardly any money left for a trip away over summer but would desperately like to get away for a 4/7 night break during the school summer holidays. PLEASE offer some recommendations.
My criteria:

1. Has to be as cheap as possible
2. Has to be clean
3. Child friendly (we have four children aged 6, 4, 3 and 1)
4. Near the beach (walking distance)
5. Somewhere around the Devon/ Somerset area

Other than that anything goes! We don't mind if it's a cottage/ B+B or caravan.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

How cheap?

basically just as cheap as possible! Something around £400 (or even less, ideally about £200!!) would be great I was going to put that in the OP but was worried people might laugh at me - I know it's not much for six people! However I was thinking we could probably stay at a premier inn type place for four nights for that price, would ideally like somewhere a bit more holidayish though.

Lovely area The caravans are about that sort of price.

similar but a bit cheaper

Thanks so much Orm, will check out your links.

these both look really lovely Orm, have you stayed at them yourself? I will show DH tonight!

Fraid not freddo. But I know the area. Not far from Combe Martin which is nice and not far from Woolacombe and Croyde which have gorgeous beaches.

this appears to be owned by the same people as the second place you mentioned Orm, looks lovely and seems even cheaper - I am spoiled for choice!!

That is near me freddo. Very pretty countryside but the beach is all mud and shale. No sand.

I used to live very near the campsites which Orm linked to. It is very quiet there - it is basically on the outskrts of Ilfracombe, the village of Hele itself has a couple of nice family pubs, cafe and supermarket and small shingle beach. However you can walk to Ilfracombe harbour via a coast path (very uphilly but beautiful views) and can trek into Ilfracombe along the main road as well. There is a public baths along the way which will be handy if it pisses down (it will) and kids fancy going to a pool.

There is LOADS of stuff to do in the immediate area. Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton beaches are within half an hour and they are the most beautiful beaches in the UK (biased). Also, I;fracombe has tunnels beaches here which is a private beach with kids facilities.

Also, watermouth castle is 5 mins drive and well worth a visit, Dinosaur Park is brilliant and 10 mins away, and exmoor zoo is great as well. Nice small theme parks which are a bit quaint but dd loved them when she was younger (she still would go at the age of 14 given half the chance!).

You can also go on boat trips along the coast from Ilfracombe harbour, which is great fun.

It really is beautiful countryside round there - Ilfracombe is nothing special i am afraid - just your bog standard tatty small town, but for a break with young kids it is lovely.

OOOO thanks it sounds so lovely!! May leave the place near you for another time then Orm as the children are demanding a proper beach this year! thanks for that info GetOrf, it really does sound lovely.

exmouth these all seem pretty reasonable, though probably nearer to the £400 but all give distance to beach. exmouth is pure sand.

Thanks twinkly - will have a look!

Have you got any tesco vouchers - I've just seen this place and every £10 of vouchers is worth £40.You can do part cash/vouchers. I love the area, just trying to check out the site, don't know whether it might be a bit crazy in school holidays though!