Discover 15 of North Devon's most charming towns and villages from Clovelly and Appledore to Lynton and Lynmouth, with tips for memorable days out and a map.
North Devon has the perfect mix of rugged coastline, rolling countryside and diverse activities perfect for a day out or short break. It offers a slower pace for those who seek it or adrenaline inducing activities such as surfing and coasteering. There are restaurants and coffee shops aplenty and indoor and outdoor activities to suit a variety of tastes and weather conditions! Exmoor is on the doorstep along with the South West Coast Path and cycling routes on the Tarka Trail. This guide covers 15 of the most attractive and interesting towns and villages to explore in North Devon with amazing views, markets and plenty of great places to eat and drink.
This guide to the best 15 towns and villages to visit in North Devon will cover:
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How to get around North Devon
By car: Generally it is easier to navigate North Devon by car but roads and lanes can be narrow in places and journey times can be slower than predicted.
By bus: Navigating North Devon by bus isn't the quickest way to get about but there are reasonable services. Bus times can be downloaded as an e-booklet.
By bicycle: National Cycle Networks routes 3 and 27 cross-cut the area and more information can be found on the Sustrans website.
The Travel Devon website provides lots of information about travel by bus and train, walking, cycling and driving in Devon.
The top 15 towns and villages to explore in North Devon
There are many pretty towns and villages in North Devon each with their own unique offer of attractions, history, food and drink. I’ve selected my top 15 towns and villages that offer character, atmosphere and access to attractions or North Devon’s beautiful coast and countryside.
Appledore
Appledore is a quaint village built on the traditions of fishing and shipbuilding which continue today (a large shipyard continues to employ many local people). It is a maze of cobbled streets housing an array of independent shops selling antiques, trinkets and local crafts, as well as art galleries, bookshops, restaurants and pubs. Pictures of Appledore show off its pastel-coloured houses and the quay where you will find information about boat and fishing trips and the summer foot passenger ferry over to Instow (worth a visit in its own right – see below). A great rainy-day option is the North Devon Maritime Museum where you can discover more about the fascinating seafaring history of Appledore.
Barnstaple
Often described as North Devon’s “capital”, Barnstaple sits on the River Taw and combines the character of a historic market-town with a busy modern centre. Its long-running Pannier Market remains one of the town’s main draws, bringing together a changing mix of traders selling local food, flowers, handmade items, art, gifts and clothing. Nearby Butchers Row and the surrounding streets are worth exploring too, with independent retailers, cafés and small boutiques adding plenty of local flavour just off the high street. For a deeper look at the area’s story, visit the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, or time your trip with one of the town’s events, such as the annual North Devon Beer Festival.
Bideford
Bideford is a lively market town on the River Torridge, with independent shops, cafés and a traditional Pannier Market at its heart. Around the market, Butcher’s Row adds extra character, with covered units now home to a varied mix of small businesses, makers, studios and creative traders. The nearby Market Place is also worth wandering through, especially for its handsome Victorian frontage and old-town atmosphere. Bideford has plenty of history beyond its shops: it was once an important port, and its 14th-century bridge remains one of the town’s best-known landmarks. In the evening, the quay looks especially atmospheric when the riverside lights reflect along the water. It is also a useful base for days out, with easy access to the Tarka Trail for cycling or walking, and sailings from the quay on the MS Oldenburg to Lundy Island.
Braunton and Saunton
Braunton is a large North Devon village home to The Museum of British Surfing a fitting stop for anyone interested in the sport’s history and culture in Britain. Close by, Braunton Burrows offers a remarkable landscape of sand dunes, wildlife and walking routes, and forms an important part of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. From there, it is easy to continue towards Saunton Sands, a huge sweep of beach that is wonderfully open and popular with walkers, surfers and families. At the end of the beach you’ll find a few places to eat and a beach shop. Overlooking the bay, the 1930s Saunton Sands Hotel adds a touch of classic, art deco, seaside glamour, with tasty dining options, afternoon tea and a terrace that makes the most of the coastal views.
Clovelly
Clovelly is one of North Devon’s most distinctive coastal villages, tucked into a steep cliffside above the Bristol Channel. Its famous cobbled street drops sharply towards the harbour, so cars are left at the top and the village is explored on foot. That car-free character is part of its charm: supplies are still moved through the village by traditional wooden sledges, while the donkeys remain a much-loved reminder of Clovelly’s past. As you walk downhill, whitewashed cottages, flower-filled gardens and glimpses of the sea create a wonderfully timeless feel. At the bottom, the working harbour and old quay reflect Clovelly’s long fishing heritage. There is an admission charge to enter the village, and a Land Rover service is available if you would rather avoid the steep walk back up.
Combe Martin
Combe Martin is a lovely spot if you want coast, countryside and a proper North Devon village feel all in one place. Set in a long, sheltered valley between Exmoor and the North Devon coast, it makes an easy base for walking, wildlife watching and getting out on the water. The beach and bay are well suited to relaxed coastal activities, with kayak and paddleboard hire available locally when conditions are right. If you fancy stretching your legs, the South West Coast Path climbs away from the village towards Great Hangman, known as the highest sea cliff on mainland Britain, where you’ll be rewarded with big views. Back in the village, Combe Martin Museum is a good place to dip into the area’s local history before or after exploring.
Croyde
Croyde has classic beach-day energy where sandy toes are a given, people wander the village with surfboards under their arms and there are plenty of places to grab a coffee or something to eat after time on the water. It’s one of the area’s best-loved surf spots, with local surf shops and surf schools on hand if you want to hire kit or book a lesson. Away from the waves, the village itself is small but full of character, with thatched cottages, pubs, cafés and a relaxed holiday feel. It also works well as a starting point for a walk, especially if you follow the trails to Baggy Point, where the coast opens up into big views across Croyde Bay and beyond.
Hartland Peninsula
The Hartland Peninsula feels wilder and more remote than many parts of North Devon, which is exactly why I enjoy it for a day out. Around Hartland Point and Hartland Quay, the cliffs, waves and open views give this stretch of coast a very dramatic feel, especially on a blustery day. Hartland Quay also has a fascinating maritime past. Although the old harbour has long since disappeared, the story of the area’s trading and seafaring history is explored at the Hartland Quay Museum, close to where the harbour once stood. It is a great place to pair a coastal walk with a bit of local history, followed by a drink or meal at the Hartland Quay Hotel. If you want a few more options for food, browsing or a gentler wander, Hartland village is just inland and makes a useful stop before or after exploring the coast.
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is one of those North Devon towns that rewards a slow wander. Around the harbour and surrounding streets, you’ll find a mix of coastal views, small beaches, independent places to eat, galleries and traditional seaside attractions. If the weather turns, Ilfracombe Museum is a good rainy-day stop, with an unusual collection of objects from natural history and local heritage. The Landmark Theatre is an architecturally iconic building on the seafront and the Old Lifeboat House now houses Ilfracombe Aquarium telling the story of an Exmoor stream and its journey to the sea. The harbour is home to Damien Hirst’s striking Verity statue, as well as marine safaris and sailings on the MS Oldenburg to Lundy Island. In summer, Ilfracombe has an especially lively feel, with festivals, cultural events and art spaces adding to its creative coastal character.
Instow
Instow has a gentle, estuary-side charm that makes it a lovely place to slow the pace for a while. Sitting across the water from Appledore, it feels quieter than some of North Devon’s bigger coastal spots, but still has plenty for an easy day out. In summer, the little passenger ferry between Appledore and Instow adds a fun way to arrive, and the Tarka Trail passes right through the village if you fancy walking or cycling along the coast. It is also a great place to pick up picnic supplies, with local favourites such as John’s of Instow close by. The sandy beach is pretty and sheltered, although it is better for a stroll than a swim as currents and water quality can be an issue. Behind the beach, the village has shops and cafés, while the waterfront pubs make a relaxed spot for a drink or meal with a view.
Lynton/Lynmouth
Lynton and Lynmouth combine dramatic scenery with plenty of character. Nestled where Exmoor meets the sea, Lynmouth sits at the bottom of a steep wooded valley, with cottages, independent shops and cafés gathered around its picturesque harbour. High above, Lynton has a distinctly Victorian feel, with sweeping coastal views. One of the highlights of any visit is travelling between the two on the historic Cliff Railway, the world's highest and steepest fully water-powered railway. On my last visit, I stopped for a cream tea at the café near the top station and was served what felt like the largest scone in Devon! If you're interested in local history, the Lyn and Exmoor Museum and the restored Lynton and Barnstaple Railway are both worth exploring. The area is also a paradise for walkers. Trails lead from Lynton and Lynmouth to Watersmeet, where wooded river valleys meet, and to the Valley of Rocks, just beyond Lynton. Here the landscape opens into a dramatic stretch of coastline dotted with unusual rock formations and free-roaming goats. The views across the Bristol Channel are spectacular, and it's the sort of place that encourages you to linger a little longer than planned. If you'd rather not walk from Lynton and Lynmouth then parking is available close by. Lynton and Lynmouth perfectly capture the unique blend of coast and countryside that makes North Devon so special and are perfect for a leisurely day exploring.
Mortehoe
Mortehoe feels a world away from the busier beaches of North Devon. Perched high above the coast, the village has a quiet, unhurried atmosphere and makes an excellent base for exploring some of the area's dramatic scenery. From Morthoe, footpaths lead out towards Bull Point and Morte Point, where rugged cliffs provide a perfect viewpoint to watch the seals below, rewarding you for stretching your legs. Nearby, Barricane Beach offers a more secluded alternative to the large sandy bays further along the coast. Barricane Beach is a particular favourite of mine in the evening. During the summer months, the Barricane Beach Café serves authentic Sri Lankan curries, and there are few better ways to end the day than carrying your meal down to the sand, opening a bottle of (BYO) wine and watching the sun slowly sink into the sea.
South Molton
South Molton is often called the gateway to Exmoor, and it makes a great base for exploring the rolling countryside that surrounds the national park. The town itself has a friendly, traditional market-town feel, with independent shops, cafés and a lively pannier market at its heart. If, like me, you can never resist a cream tea, you'll find plenty of tempting options in and around the town. For a deeper insight into local history, the award-winning museum in the 18th-century Guildhall is well worth a look. One of the area's most popular attractions is Quince Honey Farm. Through talks and demonstrations you'll learn how honey is produced, watch a working hive safely behind glass and even try your hand at making a beeswax candle. After exploring the bee-friendly gardens, I’d recommend rounding off the visit in the café, which does excellent Sunday roasts.
Westward Ho!
Westward Ho! is one of those places that seems designed for lazy seaside days. The vast sandy beach stretches for miles, backed by the open grasslands of Northam Burrows, while the South West Coast Path provides endless opportunities for a walk with a sea view. Whether you are stopping for coffee, settling in for lunch or ending the day with a drink overlooking the coast, the seafront has a relaxed and welcoming feel that keeps drawing visitors back. Of course, part of the appeal is the name itself. Westward Ho! is the only place in Britain named after a book (a novel by Charles Kingsley) and the only village in the country whose name ends with an exclamation mark! It is a place that offers some of the finest beach and coastal scenery in North Devon whilst buzzing with high quality and varied eateries. Plan your day out or short break to Westward Ho! with my guide to the top 10 things to do in Westward Ho!
Woolacombe
Woolacombe is all about big skies, wide beaches and plenty of space to breathe. Its expansive sandy beach sweeps along the coast for around three miles, linking the dramatic headlands of Morte Point and Baggy Point. The beach naturally attracts surfers, paddleboarders and local operators offer kayak hire and horse riding on the beach. There is even the opportunity to experience the coastline from above on a tandem hang-gliding flight. I particularly enjoy walking the surrounding coast path, where the views become more impressive with every turn. Back in the village, the promenade retains much of its Victorian charm, while a memorial commemorates the American troops stationed here during the Second World War, providing a reminder that this beautiful stretch of coastline also played its part in history.