A Day Out in North Devon

Devon is a county of changing landscapes from the sandy south coast, through the high tors of Dartmoor, the rolling countryside of Mid-Devon onto the rugged north coast. Today we are going to look at a day's itinerary for North Devon. So if you are on holiday in Devon, why not take the chance to explore Devon's wild north.

Our day out starts in Lynton & Lynmouth. The Victorians dubbed the area 'Little Switzerland' and not because of it's snowfall! The steep wooded valleys in the area are indeed reminiscent of the finest of alpine countryside. In fact this hilly aspect was a real problem in the early days of the motorcar, as these vehicles could not climb the steep gradient between the two villages. Thankfully engineering came to the rescue in the form of a cliff railway. Water-powered this cliff railway is still in operation today, and as popular as ever.

Heading west we then come to Combe Martin. Famed for having the longest high street in England this town played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years War as it's silver mines were the source of the money necessary to pay for a large and well equipped army. The beach at Combe Martin is an excellent venue for safe rock-pooling and a range of dipping equipment can be purchased in nearby shops.

An attraction not for the faint-hearted is Chambercombe Manor on the road into Ilfracombe. Originally owned by Norman knights it came into the hands of the notorious Champernon family, who were merciless wreakers. They would lure passing ships onto the jagged shale rocks and 'liberate' as much of the cargo as possible without a thought to the crew's lives. Today the Manor is said to be haunted by many restless souls and guided tours bring this history to life and perhaps give you a fright too!

Finally no trip to North Devon would be complete without a trip to the beach. So from Ilfracombe head on the main road to Woolacombe. This 3 mile sandy beach is safe for bathing and the rolling breakers ensure an exciting dip for all. For the more adventurous there are plenty of places to hire wetsuits and surfboards so you can head out into the waves to 'hang ten'. The town itself has some excellent bars and restaurants as well as some surf shops selling the latest in laid-back beach style.

Whatever you decide to do on your Devon holiday, it is well worth saving some time to explore North Devon
This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of John Fowlers who provide Family Holiday Parks and UK Beach Holidays

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