IF your perfect holiday includes wide skies, sandy beaches, clifftop walks and ending the day with a pint in a country pub, North Devon ticks every box.
This corner of the South West is famous for its dramatic coastline, rolling countryside and some of the best beaches in the UK.
Add in historic villages, family-friendly attractions and food that ranges from hearty pub classics to award-winning fish and chips, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors return year after year.
Our base for the week was Summermoor Cottage in South Molton, a 17th-century gem that combines history with home comforts.
With low beams (mind your head) thick stone walls, cosy kitchen and a wood-burning stove, it felt welcoming from the moment we stepped inside.
The cottage has all the modern essentials but it’s the character that really wins you over. Within hours it felt less like a holiday let and more like a home we never wanted to leave.
South Molton is a small market town with strong community vibes. The twice-weekly pannier market is filled with stalls selling everything from local cheeses and honey to hand-made gifts and crafts.
One local spot that deserves a special mention is The Welcome Fryer, the town’s chippy, which has earned itself a loyal following and quickly became our firm favourite, making us salivate every time we walked past.
Exploring the surrounding area, we started with Heddon’s Mouth, one of Exmoor’s hidden gems and most striking walks.
The path winds through a steep wooded valley, following the river to the sea.
The beach was made for skimming stones, much to the delight of our kids, Anna, ten and Adam, seven.
Another highlight was Tarr Steps, a 17-span clapper bridge – made of low, flat stone slabs – across the River Barle, thought to date from the Bronze Age and according to local legend, built by the Devil himself.
Myths aside, it’s a fascinating place, especially for children. Armed with nets and buckets, my mini Attenboroughs spent hours rockpooling in the shallows. We unpacked a picnic on the riverbank and enjoyed the sunshine.
We also spent an afternoon exploring Castle Hill, a Palladian mansion and 5,100-acre estate near Barnstaple, owned by the Fortescue family since 1684.
Pretending it was all ours, we enjoyed wandering around the beautifully laid out gardens followed by a slice of cake and cuppa in the tea room.
For those looking for more eccentricity, Watermouth Castle, near Ilfracombe, is part fairytale, part museum and packed with vintage slot machines, quirky exhibits and a gnome garden hidden among flower beds.
For a classic seaside day, head to Woolacombe. Stretching for three miles, it’s regularly voted Britain’s best beach, and with good reason.
Golden sands, rolling surf and plenty of space makes it ideal for families.
We built sandcastles, hunted for shells and jumped over surprisingly warm waves. Nearby Croyde is also a great beach to visit, especially for surfing.
We combined a morning there with a walk at National Trust site Baggy Point, an impressive headland with breathtaking scenery and a trail that isn’t too challenging. At the top we unpacked our kites and took full advantage of the strong sea breeze.
Evenings back at Summermoor Cottage were spent unwinding in the large garden and playing board games.
On our last night we treated ourselves to dinner at The Bell, a local pub where the atmosphere was as warm as the food – hearty steak and ale pies, locally brewed pints and a sticky toffee pudding worth every indulgent spoonful.
By the end of the week, North Devon had delivered everything we’d hoped for from a staycation. As we packed up to leave, we were already planning our return, taking in one final sniff of those unforgettable chips on the way home.
