The county of Devon is a county of contrasts, from the cosy sheltered bays of the south, through the patchwork of rolling hills and valleys in the middle, to the rugged and spectacular countryside that is North Devon.
North Devon stretches from the western outposts of Hartland Point and Clovelly on the exposed and dramatic Atlantic Coast, to Lynton and Lynmouth in the east, as they nestle together on the edge of the beautiful Exmoor National Park and gaze across the Bristol Channel to South Wales in the distance. Travelling across North Devon in either direction further demonstrates this contrast, as you consider the not only the changing scenery, but also the differing lifestyles and occupations of North Devon people, particularly in days gone by, as is so well illustrated in the various local museums, craft centres and potteries.
Consider Clovelly, with it's tales of smuggling and it’s
quaint
fishermen’s
cottages almost etched into the rocky North Devon hillside, then
take a look at the rambling dune beaches of Saunton Sands, where you
could almost be witnessing the silent and expectant beaches of Normandy
on a grey June day in 1944. Fortunately, the only invasion in
this area is area is likely to be an invasion of tourists, particularly
those wishing to take advantage of the excellent windsurfing and
boarding conditions at nearby Croyde Bay, affectionately dubbed
the Surfing Capital
of North Devon. With similar facilities, and even
more attractive to families, is the little town of Woolacombe, a previous holder of
the 'Best Family Resort' and 'Best British Beach' awards. This lively
and friendly area alone, makes North Devon a destination well worth checking out!
Inland too, the North Devon story is the same, with stately homes and gardens such as Hartland Abbey and Chambercombe Manor opening up to the public and demonstrating their various architectural and floral influences.
North Devon also has it’s fair share of family
attractions,
such as The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, and Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur
Park,
each of which provide an excellent alternative to a carefree
afternoon on the beach or an exhilarating walk on the moors. And
more exciting animals, from slightly further afield than North
Devon, can be found at the fascinating Exmoor Zoo, near Barnstaple.
Whether you’re a walker, fisherman, golfer, surfer,
swimmer,
horse-rider, you-name-it, or just a plain old-fashioned holidaymaker
who likes nothing more than a day on the beach, with maybe the odd
Devon Cream Tea thrown in for good measure, followed by a relaxing
drink in a cosy pub in the evening, then North Devon is the place for
you.
In fact, this exceptionally popular area of North Devon is just about perfect for everyone’s self catering holiday, young, old, or in-between. The continual number of repeat visitors every year bears this out, and is also testament to the eternal appeal of the rugged and spectacular beauty of North Devon in general.
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