Out & About

To help you plan your holiday in North Devon, here are links to some of the websites of North Devon to give you a flavour of the local attractions, places to see and things to do.

Tourist Information Centres:

Barnstaple: The Square, Barnstaple, EX32 8LN. Phone: 01271 375000.








Bideford: Victoria Park, The Quay, Bideford, EX39 2QQ.
Phone: 01237 477676







Braunton: The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, EX33 1AA. Phone: 01271 816400







Ilfracombe: The Landmark, Sea Front, Ilfracombe, EX2 6DL.
Phone: 01271 863001







Combe Martin: Cross Street, Combe Martin, EX34 0DH.
Phone 01271 883319







Lynton and Lynmouth: The Town Hall, Lynton, EX35 3BT.
Phone: 01598 752225







Woolacombe: The Esplanade, Woolacombe, EX39 5TA.
Phone 01271 870553

Useful contacts

The Premier Tourism Organisation In North Devon: gateway to North Devon providing information about the landscape, nature and recreation in the area. Phone: 01271 323030

Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service: will assist with enquiries about areas of outstanding natural beauty, the Tarka Trail and the South West Coast Path. Phone: 0845 241 2043

Exmoor National Park: read all about Exmoor, looking after, understanding, exploring and enjoying.

National Trust: find out what is on in the area. Phone: 01271 850887

Devon Wildlife Trust: interested in nature reserves and other places to visit? You too can share and enjoy local wildlife.

Ramblers Association: to help get you walking! Phone: 01769 520421

The Tarka Trail: extends from Braunton to Meeth. For family cycling explore the North Devon countryside but first take a look at this website. We have bikes available to borrow; these are stored in the garden shed. Do check for suitability before you decide to hire. In addition there is a bike rack to help you transport your bikes, puncture repair, padlocks and tyre levers.

Cycle hire:

North Devon Beaches

The famous beaches of Saunton Sands, Woolacombe, Putsborough and Croyde Bay are all within reasonable driving distance, ideal for families, sea canoeists and surfers alike. Do try and plan your journey carefully as roads become very busy at peak times. In normal conditions the beaches are approximately 20 minutes away from Goodleigh.

Take heed of safety warnings, there are strong currents and tides. For those of you with young children it is recommended that you use those beaches with lifeguards in operation, for example, Woolacombe Beach. You can hire wet suits at most beaches but do check the range of wet suits we have available at the cottage before you do. Body boards, wind breaks, snorkels and beach games are all available at Coombe Cottage, to have fun on these beautiful golden beaches.

You can learn to surf with a British Surfing Association approved school, Surf South West , at Croyde Bay. All equipment is supplied.

Tide times

Tide times and heights are published weekly in the North Devon Journal, the North Devon Gazette, the West Somerset Free Press and other local newspapers. Yearly time tables can be purchased from newsagents and fishing tackle shops and Tourist Information Centres.

Attractions and activities

North Devon’s tourist attractions and activities are too numerous to mention ranging from micro lighting to gliding to bowling, however, this web site is most comprehensive. A significant range of tourist information guides are also available at Coombe Cottage.

As a sample of what’s on offer in North Devon:

Arlington Court, near Barnstaple. National Trust house and gardens built in 1822 – it contains fascinating collections for every taste

Clovelly Village, Clovelly. Ancient preserved fishing village with cobbled streets, definitely worth a visit! Take your walking boots or trainers, not for high heels!

Lundy Island , North Devon’s own Atlantic Island. Day cruises depart regularly throughout the year to this remote island of natural beauty

Activities for children

The Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly. A galaxy of entertainment, including Clone Zone, Alien Ride, Time Warp, bumper cars and Bird of Prey Centre.

The Big Sheep, Bideford. Farm based attraction with sheep racing, duck trailing and sheep milking

Exmoor Zoological Park, between Bratton Fleming and Blackmoor Gate. 100 years of wildlife walk in enclosures and hands on activities in natural surroundings

The Gnome Reserve, West Putford near Bradworthy. Meet over 1,000 gnomes and pixies set in woodland and wild flower reserves

Quince Honey Farm , South Molton. A fascinating insight into the life and work of the honey be with living exhibits and the story of honey making

Watermouth Castle & Family Theme Park, Combe Martin. Set in a restored castle and grounds, including dungeons, Victorian kitchen, spectacular water displays and children’s castle

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Combe Martin. Fourteen life size animated dinosaurs, including a 40 foot Triceratops, Earthquake Canyon Ride, zoo with all types of animals including snow leopards, sea lions, meerkats, and chipmunks, falconry and a separate children’s zoo. Animal feeding areas, cafeteria and kids adventure playground. Great day out for all the family!

North Devon Farm Park, Barnstaple. This fascinating farm park is situated in beautiful countryside. Its aim is to give a glimpse into the past with rare breeds and bygone days farming equipment. Explore the beautiful and tranquil nature walks, lakes and rivers. Also tractor rides, many animals and indoor and outdoor play areas.

Water sports and angling

At five locations across Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset, the South West Lakes Trust offers sailing, windsurfing or kayaking. Wimbleball Lake is the closest to us - located within Exmoor National Park.

North Devon has much to offer the angler, both sea fishing and course fishing; the latter is available at Braunton, just 15 minutes or so away.

Gardens

Discover North Devon’s wonderful gardens at:

Broomhill Sculpture Garden, near Barnstaple

Castle Hill Garden, in Barnstaple

Clovelly Court Garden, at Clovelly

Hartland Abbey , near Bideford

Marwood Hill Gardens, in Barnstaple

RHS Rosemoor, at Great Torrington

Shopping

The market town of Barnstaple is famous for its historic pannier market. It is officially listed as one of the top 12 indoor markets of its type in the country. Roly’s Fudge shop is well worth a visit and situated in the market itself! Nearby Butchers Row have a number of first class fishmongers, bakers, butchers, and greengrocers. You will find a post office and all major banks and building societies in Barnstaple.

Barnstaple offers a unique mix of traditional and fashionable shopping with a range of small family run businesses including most major chain stores including Marks and Spencer, Boots, Next, Block Busters and many more.

Apart from the market town of Barnstaple, check out the local press to find details of open air markets car boots sales and auctions. There is factory outlet shopping at Atlantic Village, west of Bideford, by contrast to the smaller local shops in the numerous villages and towns in North Devon selling their specialties.

Tescos just a 15-minute drive away with Sainsbury’s and Boots a little further all of which operate extended trading hours.

Theatre and Cinema

The Queens Theatre in Barnstaple and Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe produce a stranded arts and entertainment programme featuring drama, classical music, opera, children’s shows, popular music (including rock, jazz, folk and roots), contemporary dance, ballet, amateur shows, visual arts, community events and cinema.

Local events

Keep an eye on local events throughout the year, should you plan your holiday during the week of The North Devon Show then take a visit to see rural Devon at its best. The North Devon Journal will help as a guide to what’s on and where.

Food and dining out

Numerous local pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars will suit all, both in Barnstaple and surrounding towns and villages. Plenty of fast food and take away outlets are available in the vicinity, including Mac Donald’s, situated on the A361 to the east of Barnstaple and Pizza Hut south of the river in the town centre.

Indoor sports

Should you find the need for indoor activities then just on the outskirts south of the River Taw is Barnstaple Leisure Centre offering an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and badminton courts. The Tarka Tennis Indoor Centre is situated east of Barnstaple on the A361.

Horse Riding

Riding is always a popular outdoor sport and at Woolacombe Riding Stables you may be allowed to ride the surf! Phone: 01271 870260

At Dean Riding Stables, Dean, near Parracombe within Exmoor National Park there is riding instruction for all ages. Tiny tots and galloping grannies are welcome.

Golf

North Devon is famous for it’s many golf courses ranging from championship courses like Saunton or Royal North Devon to one of the smaller courses that is always a delight to find. Portmore Golf Club is a public course three miles away from the cottage.

Always check availability and local membership rules before you depart. Coombe Cottage provides one adult set of golf clubs and one junior set of golf clubs with complimentary golf balls and tee pegs.