See our things to do in North Devon

Only 4 miles from Barnstaple, Marwood Hill Gardens is an excellent 20 acre private garden and lakes, with a Garden Tea Room and wonderful views.

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A gorgeous working fishing village, teetering to a 400 foot cliff, overlooking Bideford Bay. The cobbled steep path to the sea houses numerous independent shops, pubs and cafes. The donkeys’ trotting to and fro is also a lovely sight to behold.

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Nestled deep in the Devonshire countryside, RHS Garden Rosemoor is situated in the Torridge Valley. It provides a beautifully vibrant space, filled with plenty of gardens and woodland walks to explore the seasonal flora. Keep your eyes peeled for enthralling events and shows.

Guest discount: £8 entry instead of £12.65

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Two twin villages interconnected by a funicular Cliff Railway, that is powered solely by water, is worth taking a little time to sightsee. Lynmouth lays on the base, with plenty of quirky shops and cafes to see, before taking the trip up via the railway to Lynton and discovering more splendid local gems.

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Tapeley is a historic estate in the parish of Westleigh situatied between Bideford and Instow. It features Italian terrace borders, a traditional walled Kitchen Garden, a lake with massive ThujaPlicata trees, Granite Labyrinth. Falconry Displays each Sunday at 11:30am and 3:30pm, weather permitting. Animals including Highland Cattle, Peacocks and Berkshire Pigs. Tea Rooms - light lunches and teas. Childrens Play Area 'hidden' in the Wild Garden.

Guest discount:  2 for 1 entry 

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You haven’t really experienced the best of countryside life until you’ve placed your bets and gleefully supported your hopeful sheep into victory at the The Big Sheep’s sheep race. An assortment of other farmyard animals are there to pet, feed and admire too before enjoying the indoor play area and queuing up for a spin on the small rollercoaster. The Milky Way is fantastic entertainment for families wanting to get spooked in The Clone Zone, let loose on the dodgems and get stuck into other goings-on. Also includes an indoor play area and a small rollercoaster.

Big Sheep guest discount: 1 FREE CHILD per 2 paying adults

www.thebigsheep.co.uk

Milky Way guest discount: £2.50 off entry fee per person
www.themilkyway.co.uk

Fancy an afternoon uncovering the history of North Devon? The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is situated directly on Barnstaple’s town square and takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Devon’s past. If that doesn’t appeal, Braunton’s Museum of British Surfing details the history of surfing in the United Kingdom and is a must for any surfing fanatic.

www.barnstaplemuseum.org.uk
www.museumofbritishsurfing.org.uk

North Devon isn’t short of incredible art to immerse in. Whether you’re visiting The Burton in Bideford gallery and engaging in one of the unique exhibitions, or admiring the unique pieces at Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, there is something for every art enthusiast. Ilfracombe is also home to the magnificent Variety sculpture by prominent artist Damien Hirst, with his gallery just around the corner.

www.burtonartgallery.co.uk
www.broomhillart.co.uk/sculpturegardens

Discover the hidden world of bees at this delightful family-run farm in South Molton. Since upping sticks and relocating to a bigger location, the site now holds a gorgeous stretch of gardens to roam while keeping the same glorious activities – from a beekeeping tour or experience to candle rolling and honey tasting.

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An enjoyable day trip for all ages, the zoos treats visitors to a close-up view within excellent animal exhibits. The closest local zoos are Exmoor Zoo, which is home to the only pair of black leopards (or Exmoor beasts if you believe the legends) on exhibit in the UK, and Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, a prehistoric park that features a variety of exotic animals alongside plenty of dinosaur animatronics.

Exmoor Zoo guest discount: 15% off entry fee

www.exmoorzoo.co.uk

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park guest discount: 10% off entry fee

www.cmwdp.co.uk

See the world famous range of Dartington Crystal and try your hand at glass blowing. From the Visitor Centre, you'll learn all about the glassmaker's history, see their famous creations and shop to you drop for homeware and gift items. Then it's time for a tour of the factory to see the glassmakers at work, blowing and shaping glass to create pieces you may have at home. 

Guest discount: 2 for 1 entry

Go to their Visitor Centre website for details

Hartland Abbey with its beautiful gardens and grounds welcomes visitors from the end of March until October. It is the cherished home of the Stucley family with treasures and memorabilia collected over many generations.

Guest discount: 10% off entry fee

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Bounce, flip and let loose on the wall-to-wall trampolines inside Air Extreme for an exciting activity for all the family. Situated in Barnstaple (25 minutes from us), the park offers a wide range of fun sessions from disco to fitness.

Guest discount:  10% off Extreme Jump Sessions

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We’re located on the South West Coast Path and just a stone’s throw from Braunton Burrows, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to 500 species of wild flowers and rare wildlife. Other stunning close walks (which are good for all the family) to try are to Baggy Point in Croyde and Crow Point at the southern end of Braunton Burrows.

Fancy something a little further afield? Pull on your walking boots and head to Valley of the Rocks for gorgeous seascape views, or stroll the ancient woodland to the pebbled beach at Heddon’s Mouth.

Click here to discover our walking breaks 

Walking on Waves

First Wave sessions are designed to get you off the beach, in the water, and having fun as quickly as possible. We meet up, get to know each other and jump into our “guaranteed to keep you warm” winter wetsuits. It’s only 100m to the beach (although if the tide’s out it can be a bit further to the sea) where we’ll go through the safety drill and give you a chance to practice before we get wet. Then it’s off to the sea to get some real experience with the help of the Walking-on-waves team.  

Guest discount: Up to 30% off

Book a private 1-2-1 or group session here

A beautiful Victorian castle holding unique treasures and collections is adjacent to a family theme park with electrifying rides and soft play areas for little ones, all set within picturesque gardens to wander.

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We can organise a day of coasteering in Croyde with local specialist, Rock and Rapid Adventures. They will provide all the equipment and training you need for an amazing experience, as you swim, climb and jump your way along the dramatic North Devon coast.

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An action-packed day out perfect for friends and family who want to take on a exhilarating day of activities at the Aqua Park. Activities include wakeboarding, paddleboarding, volleyball and slacklining.

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Enjoy a breathtaking day of cycling along the unique trail based on the famous book, Tarka The Otter. The perfect way to enjoy some of the most stunning scenery and views in Britain.

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Catch the MS Oldenburg ship from either Bideford or Ilfracombe to the spectacular three-mile-long unspoilt island (hopefully catching sight of some dolphins along the way) and roam the landmass for the rich diversity of wildlife, while submerging in the fascinating history of Lundy Island.

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