Girl on beach in North Devon

North Devon is a surfing mecca. Easily reached from major cities, its miles of flat sandy beaches attract all abilities, from seasoned pro to enthusiastic beginner.

The most popular beaches - Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton - are among the best beach breaks in the UK. Croyde even hosts UK pros at May’s Surfrock Open championship. Further along the rugged coastline, sheltered bays provide even more variety, including rock reefs and point breaks.

If you’ve never surfed before, don’t worry – you can learn from scratch at accredited surf schools. Look out for Surf South West, Surfing Croyde Bay and Nick Thorn. And with local bathing water graded “good” or “excellent” and lifeguards on patrol throughout the summer, your safety’s top priority.

It’s not just the waves that make North Devon famous – the apres-surf vibe is legendary too. A visit to the area isn’t complete without a trip to The Thatch and Billy Budd’s at Croyde or The Red Barn and Mariscos nightclub in Woolacombe.

And if the tide’s out, don’t worry - there’s plenty to do in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From hiking Exmoor National Park to climbing Baggy Point, to mountain biking, horse riding, golfand fishing, you’ll be planning your return visit before you’ve left.

Where to stay?

Ruda is most convenient park for the jewel in the crown of North Devon’s surf scene, Croyde. As owner of Croyde beach, Ruda offers a huge variety of nearby accommodation from houses, cottages and lodges to touring and camping pitches.

Visit Ruda >>>

Across the estuary from Saunton, near the world famous village of Clovelly, Bideford Bay is an excellent base from which to explore the area.

Visit Bideford Bay >>>

Heading north, you’ll be located near to the beach but also convenient for Exmoor National Park and the colourful resort of Ilfracombe. Just outside Ilfracombe, Mullacott Park offers luxury lodges and caravans in a peaceful, rural setting.

Visit Mullacott Park >>>

Ilfracombe Holiday Park, located in the centre, offers apartments and bungalows for hire.

Visit Ilfracombe Holiday Park >>>

Lastly, for a really away-from-it location with panoramic views, try Dean Steep. It’s set inside Exmoor National Park and is only a short distance from the Lynton and Lynmouth, known as “Little Switzerland”, and its famous cliff railway.

Visit Dean Steep >>>

Lincolnshire’s got something for everyone.

Stretching from Yorkshire and the Humber in the north to the Cambridgeshire fens in the south with over a hundred miles of coastline to the east, the county caters especially well for nature lovers.

Birdwatchers flock to the tranquil sands of the rural coast and inland the rolling landscape of the Wolds will thrill anyone who loves the traditional English countryside.

One of England’s largest counties, Lincolnshire is also an ancient one. Its roots are in the Saxon kingdom of Lindsey, mentioned in the Domesday book, and the county’s history is evident wherever you look. Hundreds of medieval churches dot the countryside, many of them open to visitors. There are castles, picturesque market towns and Lincoln itself, with its unforgettable view of the cathedral crowning the city.

For those in search of a more active holiday, the coastal towns won’t disappoint. The resort of Skegness and its pleasure beach are famous for their amusements, as are the neighbouring towns of Mablethorpe and Chapel St Leonards.

Real ale enthusiasts can sample the beer of local brewer Batemans, and every June RAF Waddington hosts its famous airshow, attracting tens of thousands of spectators with its breathtaking displays.

And if it’s raining don’t despair. Whether it’s shopping in Grimsby and Spalding, marvelling at the beauty of the county’s stately homes such as Burghley House – a film location for Pride and Prejudice and the Da Vinci Code – or enjoying a trip on the Lincolnshire Wolds steam railway, there’s as much to see inside in Lincolnshire as out.

Where to stay?

If you’re looking for a central base from which to explore the county, Tattershall Lakes Country Park is located near the market town of Horncastle and is a short drive away from the Wolds, the county town of Lincoln and the coast.

Visit Tattershall Lakes Country Park

Skegness has long been the tourist mecca of Lincolnshire. In addition to the famous beach, there’s the pier, a heavy horse centre and the national parrot sanctuary, as well as the headquarters of Batemans Brewery for beer lovers.

Situated on the edge of the town, Southview Leisure Park has a large indoor heated pool and facilities for golf, fishing and disco and club nights.

Visit Southview Leisure Park

Even more central is Richmond Holiday Centre, which is located in Skegness itself, a short stroll from the famous beach.

Visit Richmond Holiday Centre

A few miles north of Skegness is another hub for visitors to the Lincolnshire coast, Mablethorpe. Famous for its seal sanctuary which gives visitors the chance to see these beautiful creatures up close, it also has a fairground and one of the county’s most popular sandy beaches.

Golden Sands is in the town itself, just yards from the blue flag-rated beach. With 10-pin bowling, clubs for kids of all ages and indoor and outdoor heated pools with flumes, there’s something for the whole family whatever the weather.

Visit Golden Sands

Sunnydale is a short drive north from bustling Mablethorpe, on the edge of the dunes and marshes of the Saltfleetby nature reserve, one of only five UK locations where the natterjack toad can be seen. It has a full sports and entertainment programme, a coarse fishing pond and lots more.

Visit Sunnydale