Bideford Quay and its Medieval Bridge at High Tide

Find Self-Catering Holiday Homes in Bideford

From a party town at New Year to a lovely quiet family town – Bideford on the North Devon coast is known for many qualities, from riverside walks to its spacious park and a popular art gallery. Once an important port on the estuary of The River Torridge (it supplied ships to help Drake defeat the Spanish Armada). The Quayside still receives regular visits from maritime vessels. It is lined with welcoming local shops facing the water, scattered with little pastel-coloured houses. The Quay is an embarkation point for the 2-hour ferry trip to Lundy Island, a lovely day trip in spring and summer. Many independent shops in and around Bideford stock fresh-caught fish, local meats and organic produce; another reason to book holiday cottages in Bideford: You'll eat well! As you wander the winding, paved shopping streets, you're more likely to encounter tiny shops from fantastic photography to intricate pottery instead of the usual High St chains.

A single-torey chapel conversion in the North Devon countryside
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

The Old Chapel is a superb North Devon holiday cottage on the coast in Clovelly. The former chapel boasts 10 acres of meadows with a pond and sea views, church windows, vaulted beamed ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and many more original features.

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An outdoor swimming pool oerlooked by a stone-buiolt holiday cottage in North Devon
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
2

With its 2 bedrooms accommodating up to 8 guests, The Annexe is the ideal choice for families or friends seeking a memorable North Devon holiday. However, this versatile coastal cottage also appeals to couples looking to escape for a romantic, relaxing break. This pet-friendly haven boasts a private hot tub, a heated swimming pool, a tennis court, and even table tennis for hours of family fun. From the cottage, you can soak in panoramic views of the coast and revel in breathtaking sunsets.

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Exterior of asemi-detached restored fisherman's cottage with a paved courtyard in Appledore.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Retreat is a charming North Devon holiday cottage in Appledore. The pet-friendly cottage offers an enviable waterside location, a spacious garden, exposed beams and sash windows, and a fantastic base for memorable seaside holidays.

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Exterior of a stone-built barn conversion in Bideford with large floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor overlooking a courtyard with flower pots lining the wall.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Enjoy a rural escape in the North Devon countryside with a stay at The Corn Tallet, one of a group of child-friendly holiday cottages near Bideford on a working sheep farm. It features a heated swimming pool and upside-down accommodation for up to six guests.

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Large, 2-storey, Victorian house with a tree-lined garden
Sleeps
17
Bedrooms
9

Stoneleigh is a gorgeous 19th-century North Devon holiday let designed by prominent Victorian architect William Bryden and situated on the coast in Northam. This large, child-friendly holiday home boasts ornate brickwork, original sash windows, a traditional games room, and space for up to 17 guests.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A stunning new North Devon beach apartment for 2015 in Westward Ho! This beautiful seaside holiday apartment has a contemporary interior, high-quality spec with a balcony and fantastic sea views, directly overlooking the beach in this family-friendly resort.

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On a sunny day, Bideford comes alive with people bustling around stalls and homes open to selling their crafts. The Torridge riverfront is lined with colourful art and banners from the local school, and fairy lights are draped among the street lamps, which light the wonderful promenade as night falls. It is a sea of sparkling white lights at Christmas and New Year. The railway line is now a 40-mile estuary cycle and footpath forming part of the Tarka Trail. Whether you fancy a holiday let in the heart of the town, further out into the countryside, or along the coast, you can be sure the right holiday cottage is waiting for you in this tranquil corner of North Devon.

A peaceful family park is situated just off the end of the Quay, complete with a children’s play area, paddling pool and The Burton Art Gallery. Other family attractions include adventure parks just a little down the main road, such as The Big Sheep and The Milky Way, which are full of playgrounds and activities to keep families entertained for hours. For culture lovers, visit the old fishing village of Appledore and discover the galleries and crafts tucked into its tiny streets. Further afield, trips to Clovelly and Great Torrington, home of Dartington Crystal and the RHS’s Rosemore Garden, will guarantee memorable days out.

It is the surrounding area that attracts people to come to stay in Bideford. The North Devon and North Cornwall coastline is only a short drive away and offers some of the best beaches in the UK. Westward Ho! is nearby and popular with surfers and kite surfers, and the town has some great bars and restaurants. If you are into golf, the Royal North Devon golf course at Westward Ho! is reportedly the oldest in Britain, while at nearby Saunton Sands, the golf club offers a Championship course to test the bravest of golfers.