Southcott Glamping and Retreat

Surfers can have a field day here, with spectacular beaches at Croyde, Woolacombe (both 40 minutes’ drive) and Saunton Sands (30 minutes). Haven’t brought your board? No problem, you can hire them at all these beaches and if you need to up your skills set, book a lesson too. Top-notch spots for body boarding and rock-pooling adventures include Putsborough (40 minutes) and tiny Barricane (45 minutes) beaches. If you can drag the children away from the beach, head off any moans with a trip to The BIG Sheep (10 minutes) for animal encounters and sheep racing. The Milky Way Adventure Park (20 minutes) has plenty of interactive family fun in the Ninja Stars games arena as well as dodgem cars and rollercoasters. Backing North Devon’s glorious beaches are some cracking towns too. Pretty, cliffside Clovelly (25 minutes) offers artisan crafts in the visitor centre and a cute fishing harbour, while Ilfracombe (40 minutes) has a romantic marina to wander around, plenty of pasty shops and a small aquarium.