Top things to do in North Devon

Devon is a beautiful county in the south west of the UK. The North Devon coastline is particularly stunning, with vast beaches, impressive cliffs and some great attractions. Check out the top things to do in North Devon. 

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What time of year is best to visit Devon? 

Devon can be beautiful at any time of the year, and you can enjoy the top things to do in North Devon all year round. But my favourite time to visit is in the summer. June and early July can bring long daylight hours and, if you’re lucky, some lovely sunny days. It’s best to avoid the school holidays towards the end of July and August if possible. The school holidays are the busiest time in Devon so parking can be difficult and accommodation expensive. September can also bring some sunny days and cheaper prices outside the school holiday. 

At any time of the year, it’s best to be prepared for some rain. The UK is famous for being a rainy island! But luckily there are still plenty of things to do in Devon even if it’s raining. Just remember to pack your rain coat. 

Where should I stay in North Devon? 

There are so many options of places to stay in North Devon. I’d recommend choosing self-catering accommodation. You can save lots of money by going to a supermarket and cooking some of your own meals. Also, you’ll have more space than in a hotel room. This can be particularly useful when you’ve got lots of wet, sandy things from the beach! 
There are loads of cottages, and some will have a beautiful sea view. Or for a cheaper option, some holiday parks will have lodges and static caravans for your stay. If you’re feeling brave you could even try camping! 

Top things to do in North Devon 

If you’re looking for some great walk ideas for North Devon, I’d really recommend this North Devon walking guide (affiliate). There are loads of great options, with a variety of length walks depending what you feel like on the day.

1. Woolacombe Beach 

One of the best beaches in the UK is Woolacombe Beach. It’s well deserving as the top things to do in North Devon. The vast expanse of golden sand and vast waves make this a perfect beach for all activities. It’s safe for families, but also great for surfers as well. 

2. Ilfracombe harbour 

Ilfracombe is a great seaside town. The harbour is beautiful, and a great place to watch the fishing boats come in with their catch of the day. The shops that line the seafront are great as well. Shop for beach-themed souvenirs, or enjoy some ice cream and fish and chips. 

You can also walk up to the top of Lantern Hill for some great views of the town and sea. It’s great on a windy day to watch the waves crashing beneath you. 

3. Morte Point 

For a beautiful scenic coast walk, head over to Morte Point. You can park at Woolacombe Beach and follow the coast path up to Morte Point. Enjoy great views back towards Woolacombe Beach as you walk, and enjoy watching the waves crash onto the rocks beneath you. 

4. Bodyboarding in the sea 

Another of the top things to do in North Devon is to try bodyboarding in the sea. Experience the thrill as you catch some waves and surf onto the beach. Bodyboarding is so much easier than surfing so it’s accessible to anyone with reasonable fitness and swimming ability. The sea is cold though, even in the summer, so I’d recommend a wetsuit. There are plenty of places to buy or hire a wetsuit so you can spend all day enjoying the waves. 

5. Saunton Sands 

For another great beach, head over to Saunton Sands. Beautiful golden sand and more great waves make this another great beach for a day out in North Devon.

6. Baggy Point 

The South West Coast Path goes out to Baggy Point for more great views. Enjoy looking back over Woolacombe Beach and Saunton Sands as well as the views out to see. 

7. Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park 

If you’re looking for a great activity for a rainy day, the Wildlife and Dinosaur Park at Combe Martin is great fun for all ages. Spend a day looking at the animals and animatronic dinosaurs and learning more about them. I loved watching the lemurs and lions, and walking through the dinosaurs was really cool as well.  Check out the opening times and prices here.

8. Croyde Beach 

Another beautiful beach is Croyde Beach. The exposed rocks at low tide are great to climb over. And it’s another great beach for surfing. You can walk here from Saunton Sands along the coast path in about an hour, and enjoy the amazing views as you walk. 

9. Lynton and Lynmouth 

The villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are definitely worth a visit. They’re connected separated by a steep cliff and connected by the small railway. Lynmouth has a cute little harbour and beach. It’s a great place to wander around, browse the shops and enjoy some fish and chips or an ice cream. 

10. Valley of Rocks 

On the edge of Exmoor is the spectacular Valley of Rocks. The amazing rock formations are great to walk around, with views down to the sea as well. 

One of the highlights of Valley of Rocks is the wild goats who live here. I loved watching the goats climb over the rocks. 

The path around the cliff is quite narrow with no barrier to the sea, so if you’re not keen on heights it might not be the best idea! But I thought the views were great so well worth the narrow path. It’s just such a beautiful area to explore. 

11. Clovelly 

One of the prettiest villages in Devon is Clovelly. The cute cobbled streets lead down to the sea, and it feels like you’re going back in time. Another highlight of Clovelly is the donkeys here. Historically, donkeys were used to transport things around the village, and there are still donkeys to see here today. 

12. Rockpooling on the beaches 

Another activity while on the beach is to look for crabs and fish in the rockpools. You can buy a fishing net and put anything you catch in a bucket of water before releasing them back into the wild. See what you can find! And even if you can’t catch anything, there are always seagulls around to watch!

Enjoy your time exploring the top things to do in North Devon! And make sure you check out this walking guide to North Devon as well (affiliate). If you’re looking for more things to do in the UK, check out these top 10 things to do in the UK. Or if you’d like to do some more hiking, check out the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales or the Isle of Skye in Scotland.