Explore North Devon and you’ll soon discover we are blessed with beautiful rolling countryside, quirky country lanes and extensive wild moorland. But what most people remember about their days out in North Devon are the fabulous sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, horse riding and relaxing. Whether you’re here with friends, a partner or with your family, there are plenty of fun things to do in North Devon.
Croyde Bay Resort is the perfect base to explore Croyde and the surrounding areas. The surfing paradise of Croyde beach is a hop across the dunes and just a short five-minute drive away is three miles of golden sands at Saunton. Both beautiful beaches offer extensive sandy playgrounds without the crowds, yet they are still packed with plenty to enjoy on the beach and in the sea.
There are plenty of things to do in our local area from learning to surf or coasteering (cliff jumping) to Exmoor Safari and the Tarka Trail. For adults and children alike, there is so much more to explore in North Devon than just beaches.
On those rare occasions when the weather fails us or if the family just fancy a change of scenery, there are plenty of activities nearby to keep everyone happy. We asked our guests what their favourite days out in Croyde are, so if you need a little help with your itinerary, then check out what our guests have to say about days out in North Devon. We think our guests top ten things to do in Croyde Bay is the perfect way to explore the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for fun days out and with thrills a plenty, The Milky Way Adventure Park has it all! Ride the Cosmic Typhoon Devon’s tallest, fastest, longest roller coaster. Have a wild time in North Devon’s biggest indoor adventure play area with assault courses, slides built for adults & children. Kick back & watch amazing live shows featuring Merlin from Britain’s Got Talent with his death defying escapology show, plus fantastic displays from the North Devon Bird of Prey Centre And with over 110,000 sq ft of indoor fun & acres of outdoor activities, The Milky Way theme park is the biggest all weather family day out in North Devon!
Voted Devon’s ‘top day out with kids in2014’
The Milky Way is situated near Clovelly, a 45minute drive from Croyde Bay.
More information www.themilkyway.co.uk
This just has to be one of the UK’s most innovative & exciting family attractions ever, providing wacky and unique entertainment for all the family. As the name suggests, this animal themed family amusement park abounds with all things sheep, with lamb feeding, sheep shearing and the world famous and hilarious sheep racing. But the Big Sheep has so much more. Get wet and wild in the splash zone or try scaling the 45ft climbing wall and don’t miss the aptly named Ewetopia, a simply massive indoor adventure play zone and suitable for literally all ages. New for 2015 is The Big One – destined to be Devon’s biggest roller coaster. And for whoever is not the nominated driver – don’t miss the Big Sheep Brewery!
Voted Devon’s ‘large family attraction of 2014
The Big Sheep is situated at Abbotsham, a 35minute drive from Croyde Bay.
More information www.thebigsheep.co.uk
There’s no need to bike all 180 miles of this route through the backdrop to Henry Williamson’s classic story – Tarka the Otter; many families just plump for the six miles from Braunton to Barnstaple. Along this flat section you can Tarka hunt along the banks of the Taw and spot all kinds of wildfowl on the mudflats. Once in Barnstaple enjoy a picnic or try the Boston Tea Party cafe with ethical cuisine, lashings of tea and cake, and excellent value kids’ fare. Or if you just fancy a nice coastal walk before dinner try the Croyde to Saunton part of the trail. This 3.7 mile walk takes you along Croyde beach and the South West Coast Path before climbing steeply up and over Saunton Down and then looping back into Croyde through woods and country lanes. Highlights of the walk include stunning views of the Bay and Braunton Burrows. It is apparently do able in 2 hours and guarantees a healthy appetite!
By bike or on foot follow the otters trail.
The Braunton to Barnstaple route is signposted from the tourist information centre in Braunton. Rent bikes from Otter Cycle Hire (01271 813339) close to the start of the trail in Braunton.
More info at www.devon.gov.uk/tarkatrail
This military museum and collection covers mostly World War Two but also has exhibits from the Boer War right up to the First Gulf War. Ranging from military surplus British Army plus Canadian and Russian Forces – there are lots of tanks, guns, helmets, artillery, grenades, and bombs to Home Front ration books, gas masks, ARP and Home Guard uniforms and blackout lamps.
In 1981 Preston Isaac’s runaway hobby was opened to the public, and it just keeps growing. On site is a large shop stocking collectors’ items, de activated guns, inert ammunition, clothing, hats, badges, survival equipment, books, CDs, toys, souvenirs and much, much more. Just be careful to check that all of ‘juniors’ purchases will fit in the car! Thankfully for those needing some refreshment there’s also a working NAAFI canteen wagon with seating area, serving drinks and snacks.
The hobby which got out of hand!
The Cobbaton Combat Collection is situated a 40minute drive from Croyde Bay.
Latest info is available on their Facebook page.
The Exmoor Safari takes people on an all terrain 4X4 journey of discovery. You set of from the beautiful village of Exford in the heart of the Exmoor National Park. From there, knowledgeable guides will take you on one of the Safari’s many routes through the stunning, meandering and breathtaking scenery of the National Park.
It’s a great way to experience this stunning landscape, searching the rugged Moorland for the elusive Exmoor Red Deer, Roe Deer the endangered Exmoor ponies and other countless wildlife species. Each Safari is approximately two and a half hours long, departing at various times of the day to give each outing a different feel and character. Our tip is to opt for an early morning tour or the glorious evening experience. Don’t forget to bring your camera and binoculars!
This is wildlife at its very best.
Safaris begin at Exford, which is an hours drive from Croyde Bay.
More info at www.exmoorsafari.co.uk
Here’s an opportunity to relax and unwind on a spectacular wildlife and coastal cruise on board the Ilfracombe Princess. This large modern, comfortable passenger vessel, is purpose built to sail close to the coast. Allowing you to enjoy one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in England, with immense seascapes and the highest cliffs in Britain, as well as frequent sightings of Seals, Porpoises and Dolphins. Check out the shore line waterfalls, lighthouses, mines, secluded hamlets and picturesque historic cob villages. Alternatively you can do the same but at a faster pace. Ilfracombe Sea Safari, provide trips that are suitable for all ages and great fun. The boats are 10 meter Humber RIBs, which although they will take you at speeds of 20 knots, also have exceptional stability. Several sea safaris are available, lasting one or two hours, and this must be one of the most exciting ways to explore the stunning North Devon coastline. No.1 on TripAdvisors rating of Ilfracombe outdoor attractions and winners of a 2015 Certificate of Excellence, need we say any more?
All aboard the Ilfracombe Princess
More info at www.ilfracombeprincess.co.uk. Ilfracombe is a 30 minute drive from Croyde Bay.
Climb. aboard for a high speed sea adventure. More info at www.ilfracombeseasafari.co.uk
Do you have any adrenaline junkies in your family? If so then maybe the idea of leaping off cliffs into the sea has appeal? Coasteering with Pointbreaks is a mixture of scrambling and climbing around cliffs, through hidden sea caves, traversing rocky outcrops, swimming through ocean carved channels and jumping off headlands into sea pools and gullies, all the time being toyed with by the ocean swells. Coasteering can be as challenging as you want it to be, some of the jumps are only six feet high, and others are over 20 feet. They all have a scramble round option so don’t worry if you don’t want to jump. Point Breaks provides top quality wetsuits and safety equipment to keep you safe and warm. The instructors are all fully trained and know the areas used extremely well and to prove it, they always jump first!
Follow me – if you dare!
More info at www.pointbreaks.com
Here’s an idea for all the family – it’s stimulating, it’s healthy, it’s out in the fresh air, it’s certainly fun and it’s right on your doorstep. Our on site surf school – Walking on Waves (WoW)– offers instruction for all ages from 5 to 75 and for beginners and improvers. There are taster sessions, courses for small groups, private lessons or why not book a family lesson and share those first wave experiences together (and at a great family rate) And here’s the really special bit, WoW is actively run by ex British and European Champion Sarah Whiteley, how good is that? The level of instruction is so good, that while there are no guarantees, almost all are standing up to catch a wave after just one lesson.
Family surfing with Walking on Waves
More info at https://walking-on-waves.com/croyde/
