A long rowing boat anchored at the tide's edge to a sandy beach in North Devon Click here to view nearby Kittiwake Cottage

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in North Devon

Discover The Beautiful North Devon Coast and Countryside

Wherever you stay in this spectacular region, holiday cottages in North Devon deliver unforgettable holidays. Here, you will find properties ranging from seaside cottages and luxury apartments overlooking the sandy beaches of Saunton and Woolacombe to remote rural cottages amidst the wilds of Exmoor and beautiful holiday homes in the bustling and historic coastal ports of Barnstaple and Bideford.

Book North Devon holiday cottages to catch waves in the surf at Croyde or watch dolphins from high up on Europe’s tallest cliffs between Combe Martin and Woody Bay on Devon’s rugged north coast. Relax at a coastal cottage in an ancient fishing village like Clovelly, or explore the countryside near old market towns like South Molton and Hatherleigh. Whatever your holiday preferences, there’s something for everyone in this secret corner of the West Country.

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Where to Visit in North Devon

Where to go

North Devon holiday homes are ideally located for exploring Exmoor and the ‘top’ half of Devon. If you decide to book, you’ll probably plan to repeat the experience many times in the years ahead. It’s that kind of county—and that kind of coast: wild, rugged, spectacular, and so enjoyably relaxing.

Barnstaple

This thriving market town on the River Taw’s estuary is packed with leisure facilities. Its historic centre is home to independent shops, tea rooms, a lovely museum and several striking landmarks, including the 13th-century Long Bridge over the Taw. The Pannier Market and Butchers Row are worth visiting for fresh, local produce or a unique gift to take home.

The Tarka Trail for Walking and Cycling Holidays

One of North Devon’s best cycle routes, the Tarka Trail, runs through Barnstaple. It follows an old railway track for more than 30 miles along the north and south banks of the Taw, from Ilfracombe through Braunton to Meeth via Bideford and Torrington, with stunning views across the estuaries of the Taw and Torridge. There are attractive North Devon holiday cottages in the leafy, sleepy little villages in steep wooded valleys surrounding Barnstaple, such as Goodleigh, Shirwell, Kentisbury and Bratton Fleming.

From Croyde to Woolacombe

The world-class sandy surfing beaches of Croyde, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe are all a short drive from Barnstaple. Saunton is the closest, with miles of uninterrupted sand and brilliant waves for surfing. The area has several surf schools and a popular café with a terrace overlooking the Atlantic. A short, scenic drive away is Croyde, a rugged bay backed by dunes, a stroll from the pretty village.

Woolacombe Cottages could be for you if you want to fall asleep to the sound of the sea. Walk the length of this multi-award-winning, 3-mile stretch of golden sand to Putsborough and back on one of the footpaths that meander through a maze of wild dunes. In the laid-back village above the sands, you’ll find pubs, cafes and shops selling everything needed for a day on the beach.

From Lee Bay to Lynmouth and Exmoor

On the South West Coast Path heading east from Woolacombe is beautiful Lynmouth, with towering cliffs, rocky peninsulas and the chance to spot dolphins and basking sharks. Stop for a pint at the Grampus, a charming pub a mile from Lee Bay - a popular swimming spot with rockpools to explore at low tide. Nearby, Ilfracombe is not to be missed. As you wander around this welcoming resort, you’ll discover grand Victorian architecture and fishing boats bobbing in a working harbour. Looming over the crashing waves is a dramatic sculpture by Damien Hirst called Verity.

East of Ilfracombe on the edge of the Exmoor National Park is Combe Martin, another seaside village with a sandy beach and superb rock pools overlooked by imposing cliffs and a selection of cafes and pubs. It’s a great starting point for a challenging walk along the South West Coast Path towards Exmoor via Heddon’s Mouth and Woody Bay, along the highest clifftops in Europe.

Exmoor’s enchanting expanse of windswept moorland is a paradise for horse riding, wildlife-watching and walking. The moor extends across North Devon and neighbouring West Somerset and meets the coast where Lynton and Lynmouth’s elegant villages cling to the sides of a wooded valley. If you’re weary after following the steep footpath from Lynton down to Lynmouth Harbour, jump on the Victorian cliff railway and savour breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel on the way back up.

From Bideford to Clovelly

Heading Southwest towards the Cornish border, Bideford, known as the Little White Town, overlooks the River Torridge, with a tangle of narrow streets to explore. Along with Ilfracombe, it’s an embarkation point for day trips to Lundy Island. Appledore is a picturesque village at the river mouth, where holiday cottages tend to be charming, beautifully restored fishermen’s cottages clustered on streets leading off the Quay.

Along with its rich shipbuilding heritage, Appledore is home to one of North Devon’s best-loved ice cream brands, Hockings. Between April and the end of October, if you see a Hockings ice cream van on your travels, you have to stop and buy one. Ask for a cornet with a ‘girt dollop’ of clotted cream - they are the world’s best!

West of Bideford, secluded rocky coves, breathtaking clifftop walks, and shipwreck ruins await discovery on the coast. Just past the hillside fishing village of Clovelly, the Hartland Peninsula is particularly dramatic. Visit Hartland Abbey, nestled in bluebell-carpeted woods, and the pub on Hartland Quay, where a pint of ale can be enjoyed just a few feet from the crashing waves.

Visitors looking for self-catering holidays in North Devon often miss its inland areas, where you will find tranquil countryside and a scattering of villages and market towns. Discover picturesque Winkleigh and Great Torrington, where you can still find a slower, rural pace of life. There are superb days out for all the family to enjoy at The Big Sheep in Abbotsham and The Milky Way near Clovelly. Rain or shine, both places are highly recommended.

 

View holiday homes in other regions of Devon

South Devon

Dartmoor

East Devon