Croyde, Devon Beach Resort Guide

Introduction

Devon's epically beautiful north coast is wilder, jagged and more remote-feeling than the south; perfect for blowing away cobwebs, escaping the daily grind, and having memorable adventures. The north coast of Devon is also the place to head for extreme sports and to fall in love with surfing in Croyde.

Who goes there?

Lovers of the great outdoors and adventure enthusiasts flock to the area for its rugged landscapes and remoteness. With watersports, cliff-top walks, sandy beaches and delicious clotted cream-laden scones, the area attracts everyone from families and surfers to nature enthusiasts and pensioners.

Where in the world?

Croyde is situated on the north Devon coast in the south west of England. The village lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

When to go?

The climate is temperate with warm summers and cool wet winters. The hottest months of the year, and the best time for hitting the beach, are from June to September, with temperatures reaching an average high of 26°C (78°F) in August. However, English summers are often unreliable and rainfall can be frequent throughout the year, so always remember to pack a jumper in case skies become overcast.

Beach

Croyde is Devon's surfer magnet with a sublime stretch of beach, pounded by rollers and serviced by a pretty village packed with surf shops and cafes. Nearby Westward Ho! has been awarded a Blue Flag and the 3.2km (2 miles) of golden sand is an important address for kite surfers. Another beach worth a visit in the area is Blue Flag Woolacombe; another pristine stretch of gleaming sands, with hut and deckchair hire, and lifeguards on duty in summer.

Beyond the beach

A great place to explore away from the beach is the unfeasibly quaint, privately owned coastal village of Clovelly. It has an admission fee to get in, however, it is inhabited by tenants, so is no mere tourist attraction. Instead it has retained its picturesque 19th-century character, with pebble-lined streets clustered around a pretty little harbour. Charles Kingsley, author of The Water Babies, lived here and you can visit his former home, now the Kingsley Museum.

Family fun

Surfing is huge along this part of the coast - there's the North Devon Surf School (www.northdevonsurfschool.co.uk) at Westward Ho! and Croyde is Devon's most famous surf magnet, where schools and facilities abound. You don't only have to surf though, sailing and windsurfing are other tempting seafaring options.

Eating out

Seafood (look out for Devon crab, fresh sea bass, and so on) and great pub meals are the main draws here, while cream teas with clotted cream are a must. The Red Lion Hotel in Clovelly serves delicious home cooked pub grub, while in Croyde you'll find plenty of places serving hearty food to ravenous surfers, such as lively pub Thatch (14 Hobbs Hill).

Getting around

The small resort is accessible on foot, while buses connect it with other places along the coast. There are buses between Croyde and Saunton Sands, while Westward Ho! and Clovelly both have connections to Bideford.

Splashing out

For North Devon at its hippest head over to the busy resort of Ilfracombe and the Damien Hurst-owned 11 the Quay (www.11thequay.com), which combines a smart restaurant with a more informal brasserie.

Flying in

Plymouth City Airport (PLH)
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