North Devon Resort

Coast calling your name? It’ll take you 20 minutes or so to wander down to Ilfracombe’s beaches, or to the harbour to set sail on sea safaris (seeking out seals, dolphins and porpoises) or take fishing trips. If you want to guarantee spottings of sea beasties, head to the town’s aquarium instead. Active times await along this stretch of coast too – the South West Coast Path is always a fab place for a walk, and there’s a rather gorgeous golf course a few minutes’ drive away. If you’re up for watery adventures, an activity centre 10 minutes’ drive away can take you paddleboarding, coasteering or kayaking, and there are surf lessons and waves to catch in Woolacombe (15 minutes away). Shudder at the thought of all this energetic stuff? Woolacombe’s sands are also ripe for swims and sandcastle building. Big beasts (present and past) can be seen over at Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park (20 minutes), and there’s heaps of fab stuff to see and do at family-friendly Watermouth Castle (10 minutes), including Victorian arcade machines, a toboggan run and a mighty water-powered musical organ.