A mn and dog on a sandy beach silhouetted against the setting sun walk along the waves edge on Notham beach.

Northam

Northam is a small, picturesque coastal village offering quaint holiday rentals for families or friends in North Devon. It is most popular for the Northam Burrows, a long stretch of Golden Sand that runs from Westward Ho! to the mouth of the Taw & Torridge Estuary. Northam sits on a hill above the Burrows, an interesting landscape of salt marsh and dunes and small fields. Northam lies within easy reach of many fine North Devon beaches and seaside villages, from Clovelly to Saunton Sands. Being just outside of the large North Devon towns of Barnstaple and Bideford makes it an ideal place for a holiday cottage that is away from the bustle but close to excellent shops, beautiful restaurants, stunning views and a wealth of seaside activities.

Large, 2-storey, Victorian house with a tree-lined garden
Stoneleigh
Northam
Devon
England
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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  • Active Holidays
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  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

Northam is probably best well known for the Northam Burrows, which consists of 250 hectares of grassy coastal plain fringed by dunes and pebble ridges. The latter overlooks a long sandy beach, perfect for sandcastles and surfing. The burrows also provide access to the neighbouring seaside village of Westward Ho! In summer, enjoy a peaceful walk around the burrows and then enjoy a cooling swim or sunbathe on the golden sandy beach. If you’ve booked a pet-friendly holiday cottage, then the beach and burrows offer plenty of scope for your dog to run freely while you walk.

Northam and the surrounding area have some great restaurants serving delicious food. Memories, Northam’s most popular restaurant, is mentioned in the Michelin Guide and is one of the area's most popular dining establishments. With a personal feel, a welcoming atmosphere and a local menu offering some of the best local food available, it’s easy to see why! Northam also has a local pub, The Golden Lion, situated near the top of the village and pours pints of the best local ales in Devon.

The Royal North Devon Golf Course in Northam is the oldest in England. The championship golf course boasts views of the surrounding Northam Burrows and unspoilt countryside. Even if you’re not keen on golf, the club itself is still worth visiting, as it is home to its own museum that gives an insight into the history of this ancient golf club. A little further afield is the Saunton Sands Golf Club, which has a championship course.

Just outside Northam and towards the pretty fishing village of Appledore is the Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre. If you want to try something different while on holiday, Skern Lodge is a great place to experience a multitude of activities, including kayaking, surfing, archery, climbing, coastal walking and a huge amount more.

Further afield from Northam are the large North Devon Towns of Bideford and Barnstaple. Both have a great High Street with both commercial and independent retailers, alongside an abundance of restaurants and historical landmarks. Barnstaple also has a rail station, with regular train services running to the large city of Exeter. A regular bus service called The Wave runs every 20 minutes through Northam’s town centre to Bideford, Barnstaple, Croyde and Ilfracombe. There are plenty of attractions to enjoy should the weather drive you away from the beach. The Big Sheep in Abbotsham is a big hit with families, as is The Milky Way on the road to Clovelly. Hire bikes and ride along the Tarka Trail, once a railway line, skirts the estuary and riverside from Barnstaple from Bideford to Great Torrington. This little hilltop town is also home to Rosemoor Gardens, magnificent landscaped gardens managed by the Royal Horticultural Society and 1646 - The Civil War Experience. There you discover the tragic tale of one of the last great battles of the English Civil War, fought at Torrington in 1646 or catch a show or film at The Plough Arts Centre.