Boathyde, Northam

Northam is a small village with a restaurant, pub, takeaway and small supermarket and lies on the hill above the lively village of Westward Ho! Westward Ho! has a two mile long glorious sandy beach, an excellent selection of cafes, bars and restaurants, a surf school and shops. The beach is popular for surfing and kite surfing, plus life guards are on duty during the summer season and there’s a designated dog area. The Tarka Trail runs through Bideford and is especially popular with cyclists, with cycle hire, including child buggies and even dog buggies available here and at many places along the way. Northam Burrows is part of North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is enjoyed by walkers, and the Royal North Devon Golf Club is also here. For the more energetic the coastal path to Peppercombe and Clovelly offers stunning views along the coastline. From Bideford there are boat trips to Lundy Island, and nearby Appledore has fascinating narrow streets, interesting shops, fish and chips shops and a restaurant, as well as fishing trips. Family attractions nearby include the Big Sheep and Milky Way, as well as National Trust properties, Hartland Abbey, RHS Rosemoor and Dartington Glass. Also Clovelly is delightful with its quay, steep cobbled streets and donkeys and no cars are allowed down into the village. There’s plenty to see and do from Northam.