12 Best Places to Visit in North Devon – A Full Guide

The Ultimate List of the Best Places to Visit in North Devon  

So, you are wondering what the best places to visit in North Devon are? There are so many attractions in North Devon that it can be overwhelming to decide where to go and what to see. But do not worry, North Devon is an absolute joy to visit and is a natural wonderland to explore and taste – with plenty of fresh local produce. Even on a rainy day, the beauty makes for moody and mystical photographs. South Devon is beautiful too, but there is something special about the north. 

North Devon is in the southwest of England and is famous for its outstanding moors, striking coastline, gardens and beautiful sandy beaches. It is a popular destination for those seeking a UK staycation with spots that look like they are in a different country. Also, North Devon is a great place to hike and try glamping too.

So whether you’re looking for a family-friendly trip or an outdoor adventure, this will be a great option!

Nico’s first comment about North Devon was ‘that it feels like I’m somewhere else and not in England anymore’. Also, many of the best things to see in North Devon are free, so this list includes many of the best free things to do in North Devon too. 

When is the best time to visit North Devon?

There are many exciting things to see in North Devon all year round. You will find the most crowds are in the summer school holidays – July and August. If you want nice weather (as good as it can be) and fewer crowds, we recommend May or September, when North Devon is much quieter.

Do not be surprised if you find wet weather. You are in England, after all. Nonetheless, even in the rain, North Devon is a gorgeous place to visit in the UK.

The 12 Best Places to visit in North Devon

You can see all the best places and more before returning to one of these campsites in North Devon after a busy day exploring.

Lynton 

Lynton lies on a cliff overlooking Lynmouth. It is a Victorian town full of touristy shops selling Rock (a must-try) jams and souvenirs. You can walk down the narrow streets, go to the many cafes, tearooms, and a Toy Museum to visit. There is also a Poet’s coastal walk, where you can read poems about the area as you walk – what a cute idea and a joy to read.

One of the best things to do in Lynton is to go on the water-powered Cliff Railway, which has been operating since 1890. It is a popular North Devon attraction for anyone who wants to visit the two towns. Don’t look down. You can have a Crean Tea in the grade II listed Cliff Top Cafe at the top.

“Voted the ‘UK’s BEST Cliff Railway’ and one of the BEST historic attractions in the UK (Which? Reader Poll 2020)“

Both villages are collectively known as ‘Little Switzerland’ due to the picturesque hilly location. Although it is not landlocked like Switzerland, we liked the idea anyway and it deserves a high spot on the list of the best places to visit in North Devon.

Lynmouth

Hands down, Lynmouth is one of the best places to go in North Devon because it is a beautiful coastal area. It lies just below Lynton, which means that people usually visit both places at the same time. You can enjoy a steep walk down or up between the two or catch the Cliff Railway if you prefer. It is steep, though. We enjoyed walking around the harbour, watching the surfers and enjoying a coffee in our favourite cute café – The Coffee Mill. There is Mini Golf too, and you can visit the Flood Memorial to learn about the devastating flood that took the lives of 34 people in 1952.

Nearby, you can visit Watersmeet, a National Trust-owned attraction where the East Lyn River and the Hoar Oak Water meet. It is a beautiful green woodland area that boasts a cute café – The Watersmeet Tea Room, where you can unwind in a beautiful setting. If you want serenity – Watersmeet is your answer. It is a great spot to take some silky pictures of the rolling water. 

Valley of the Rocks

Only one mile from Lynton is the grand and breathtaking Valley of the Rocks formed during the last Ice Age. This spot is the perfect place to watch the sun go down over the valley. You may spot some wild goats, too. Although we were not so lucky, we have been assured that they roam the area. We did, however, enjoy a scramble along the rocks and enjoyed walking along the coastal path. The Valley of the Rocks had Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye vibes. It is a valley of rocks – an incredible natural phenomenon. It deserves a spot on the list of the best walks in North Devon!

If you choose to park here, there is a pay and display car park, or you can do what we did and park for free (only 2 hours) in Lynton and walk from there (it takes about 20-minutes)! Scrambling on the rocks is one of the best free things to do in North Devon.

Exmoor National Park

One of the best places to visit in North Devon is Exmoor National Park. It has been a national park since 1954 and is a fantastic place to spot deer, wild ponies (a rare Exmoor breed). You will be surrounded by raw beauty, including the coast, moors, rivers and woods. It is known as the place to visit in North Devon for an adventure as it has over 1000 kilometres of trails and bridleways to explore. It stretches from Somerset to North Devon. The views are unbelievable, and it is also Europe’s first dark sky reserve – which means that it is an ideal place to try stargazing. Can you spot the Milky Way?

Exmoor National Park backs onto the North Coast of Devon, where you will find the famous South West Coast Path, known as one of the most beautiful walks in the UK and one of the best things to do in North Devon. In addition to hiking, some of the best things to do in North Devon include coasteering, sailing, paddle boarding or going on a boat trip. Whatever the adventure – you will find it in Exmoor National Park. 

Watermouth and Broadsands Beach

One of the best places to visit in North Devon and our favourite North Devon attraction is Watermouth. “Why? What’s so special about Watermouth?” We hear you ask, and the answer is Broadsands Beach, a short coastal walk from the harbour through the campsite. Boasting signs as the UK’s happiest view, it is hard not to fall in love with this place. Be careful on the stairs down and find a little spot of heaven that made us feel like we were back on our Sardinia road trip. 

It is good to know that there are 200 steps down to the beach, so if you are not very fit or have mobility issues, you should probably skip the beach and admire the view from above instead. Tip: most people park at Sandy Cove Hotel to reach the beach that is one of the best things to see in North Devon.

In Watermouth, you should visit the harbour, the Boat Café and Widemouth Head. You can also visit Watermouth Castle, which is a Victorian Castle turned amusement and theme park! It is home to Victorian antiques, which means this adventure park is fun for the whole family—one of the best North Devon attractions. Nearby, you can visit the tiny village of Combe Martin, where you can see England’s highest sea cliff and see Combe Martin wildlife.

Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is a beautiful seaside town that looks like the place you went on holiday as a kid and want to return to enjoy the nostalgia as an adult. You’ll find a beautiful harbour, amusements and excellent beaches such as Wild Pear Beach, Combesgate Beach, Watermouth Bay and Lee Bay Beach. Did you know that it is part of the North Devon Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)? Undeniably, it is one of the best places to visit in North Devon.

If that is not a good enough reason to visit, then maybe the fact that it is a leading holiday destination for North Devon will or how it is a great place to get a Devon Cream tea. How many times can you say yes? You can also visit Tunnels Beach, where you can find Victorian bathing pools. Another exciting thing you can see is the Verity statue by Damien Hurst, a 20-metre tall statue of a pregnant lady. We noticed some of his similar sculptures at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and we understand why some people may not like it, but we think it is one of the most unusual but best things to see in North Devon.

Tip: visit in June to participate in the town’s annual Victorian festival to celebrate the town. Hopefully, you will see the locals dressed up in traditional Victorian clothes and enjoy the street fairs. 

Lundy Island

You can get the ferry to Lundy Island from Ilfracombe. It is known to be a wonderful place where you can go to spot local wildlife, such as Puffins, crab and seals. The National Trust owns it, and it is where the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic Ocean meet. It is small, but it is one of the best places to visit in North Devon because you can snorkel, swim, dive and walk.

It takes 2 hours to arrive by ferry, so it is an extension of your trip, but you are looking for a remote, unspoilt and secluded spot. Lundy Island is for you. Some people call it the Galapagos of the UK because of the wildlife. You can decide whether you want to go on a day trip or if you want to stay overnight.

Woolacombe 

If you are looking for the best beach in North Devon, then Woolacombe one gets many votes and is, therefore, one of the best places to go in North Devon. Of course, it has won plenty of awards, including the Best British Beach award and the Blue Flag award. It was Tripadvisors 20th best beach in the world in 2020. When we visited, it was full of people enjoying themselves, surfing, playing on the three-mile sandy beach and exploring the charming town. You can stop in the Tourist Information Centre to ask about what’s around the area, relax on the beach, or swim in the ocean. It shows that there’s plenty of free things to do in North Devon. 

It is good to know that Woolacombe can be extremely busy, so be prepared to share the beach with lots of others – it does add to the lively atmosphere! However, the beach is very long (3 miles), which means there is a lot of space to find a quiet spot. There are toilets and many facilities too, which is always helpful. It also has friendly lifeguards so that you can feel safe – remember to swim in the middle of the yellow and red flags. Families can feel reassured when visiting. 

If you don’t want to spend time on the beach, you can walk along the headland, owned and looked after by the National Trust. You will find spectacular views from here – get your camera ready! It is a popular camping destination too. So why not pitch a tent and join in the fun.

Croyde

Croyde was a very welcome surprise. It is mainly because of its beautiful beach, good surf, and it is unbelievably quaint houses with excellent thatched roofs. The stream that runs adjacent to the thatched cottages were picture perfect, and we stopped to take a gazillion pictures. It feels like you’ve stepped into your own fairytale. Head to the Thatch, a traditional pub with a – you guessed it – thatched roof. We enjoyed drinking their Cornish Beer, sat in the sun with tourists and locals. There is a strong community feel here, so we think it is one of the best places to go in North Devon.  If you are searching for somewhere to stay, you can have a wonderdul holiday in Croyde Bay.

It is easy to see how it is part of the North Devon AONB and understand why it is popular and one of the best places to visit in North Devon. Nearby, you will find Baggy Point, a National Trust attraction, a great short walk for everyone to enjoy and one of the best places to visit in North Devon. Baggy Point is one of the best places in North Devon to go coasteering in the Croyde, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe area. If you are interested, you can book a coasteering experience with Coastline Sports, who will provide all equipment with knowledgeable instructers to have a fantastic, fun-filled day out. You can book on their website here: https://www.coastlinesports.uk/activities/coasteering-north-devon/

Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is a beautiful beach that seems to be endless because there is so much space. When we visited, we watched the kite surfers and people enjoying themselves and made sure we went to admire the cute and colourful beach huts. The beach is dog friendly and is one of the best beaches in the UK. You can walk the Four Beaches Walk from Croyde to Saunton Sands.

Behind Saunton Sands, you will find the incredible dunes of Braunton Burrows. One of the best things to see in North Devon is to explore these endless dunes that go on for miles. Nearby, you can walk the Tarka Trail or explore Barnstaple – the largest town in North Devon.  

Appledore

Close to Westward Ho, Appledore is a fishing village with charming narrow cobbled streets and bright, colourful pastel houses that will make any Instagrammer smile. Most people visit to take pictures of them, or to explore its antique shops and cafes! The perfect spot to slow down and relax. It is also known for its shipbuilding centre and the North Devon Maritime Museum, so there is plenty to do here. It is a great place for watersports and boat trips, which is why it deserves a spot on this list of the best places to visit in North Devon.

Clovelly

Clovelly is a private village, and although people do live here, you have to pay to visit (the money goes to maintaining its 19th-century charm). However, it is famous throughout the UK and is one of the best places to see in North Devon. It is perched on a 400ft cliff and is a lively place to go. Most people visit to see the houses and cobbled streets. It is picture-perfect and the narrow alleys reminded us of York. There is also a 14th-century working harbour, which you can explore.

There are no cars here – only donkeys to add to the tranquillity and uniqueness. Make sure to take lots of pictures of the doors and historical buildings. To learn more about the village and get up-to-date information, you should head to the visitor centre. 

It is a popular base to explore the surrounding areas, including the Hartland Cliffs and Hartland Abbey, which are also some of the best places to visit in North Devon. There are too many to choose from.

We hope you enjoyed this guide of the best places to visit in North Devon. We were blown away with the beauty of the area and we cannot wait to return soon.

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Photo credits: averagelives.com

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