Days out in and around North Devon
Whilst in North Devon...
North Devon has a plentiful and perfect mixture of bustling market towns and sleepy villages, rolling hills and golden beaches, as well as the wild moorland.
The Landmark Theatre
The Landmark Theatre is an award winning theatre in the coastal town of Ilfracombe. Housed in an unusual double conical design the theatre has varied acts and performances throughout the year from comedians to pop bands and orchestras to musicals. The 2011 line up includes acts such as Pirates of Penzance, Take That Mania and cmedian Craig Campbell. Please visit the website for full details of the 2011 programme.
| Website | www.northdevontheatres.org.uk |
|---|---|
| How to get there | Service 3 operates up to 4 journeys an hour from Monday - Saturday during the day and an hourly service on Sundays between Barnstaple, Braunton, Mullacott Cross and Ilfracombe Bus Station (on Sundays the 3 also serves Barnstaple Train Station and has excellent connections with trains to and from Exeter St David's). |
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
There's fun for all the family at this exciting, fun filled park. Those interested in wildlife will enjoy the wildlife park which is home to monkeys, lions, wolves, sea lions, birds, insects, meerkats, penguins and racoons. A visit to the Dinosaur Show is also a must. Many of the realistic looking dinosaurs were built by local companies to the park's specifications using the latest animatronic technology and are either computer, hydraulic or pneumatically driven. In fact their full sized animatronic T- Rex was the first one built in this country and their spitting Dilophosaurus is the only one of its kind in Europe. And all of this is situated in beautiful gardens full of lush fauna and flora. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
| Website | www.dinosaur-park.com |
|---|---|
| How to get there | From Easter until late October service 30/30E operate an hourly service from Ilfracombe, Hele and Combe Martin to the Park, from Monday to Saturday. |
Queens Theatre
The Queens Theatre in Barnstaple is part of the North Devon Theatre's Trust which also owns the Landmark Theatre. This theatre houses more large scale shows than the Landmark and has a 683 seat tiered theatre and disabled access. The 2011 line up includes The Three Degrees, comedian Tim Vine, Coppelia, Buddy and Charlie Landsborough. Please visit the website for full details of the 2011 programme.
| Website | www.northdevontheatres.org.uk |
|---|---|
| How to get there | Those travelling from Northam, Bideford, Instow or Fremington should take services 1/2 which operate a 10 minute frequency from Monday to Saturday during the day, a half hourly service in the evenings and a half hourly service on Sundays and Public Holidays. Those travelling from Ilfracombe should take service 3 which operates up to a 15 minute frequency during the day from Monday to Saturday and an hourly services on Sundays and Public Holidays. |
Tunnels Beaches and Tidal Victorian Bathing Pool
Tunnels Beaches lies within a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Ilfracombe and is network of hand carved tunnels leading to unique sheltered beaches and tidal Victorian bathing pool. Established in 1823 the beach is the safest in North Devon (according to official figures). The tidal sea water swimming pool is ideal for dinghies and inflatables - the kids will love it! The pool is visible for 3 hrs before and after every low tide so you may want to plan your visit accordingly (and check the tide times!) As well as the beautiful beaches and pool the Tunnels also has a modern café and shop selling everything you need for a fun filled or relaxing day by the sea. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
| Website | www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk |
|---|---|
| How to get there | Service 3 operates up to 4 journeys an hour from Monday - Saturday during the day and an hourly service on Sundays between Barnstaple, Braunton, Mullacott Cross and Ilfracombe Bus Station (on Sundays the 3 also serves Barnstaple Train Station and has excellent connections with trains to and from Exeter St David's). Service 30/30E operates an hourly service from Monday - Saturday between Combe Martin, Hele and Ilfracombe Bus Station. Service 31 operates an hourly service from Monday - Saturday between Lee Cross, Mullacott Cross and Ilfracombe Bus Station. The Landmark Theatre is on the seafront and is a short walk from the bus station. |
Bideford Pannier Market
Take a trip to Bideford for a spot if shopping in the delightful Pannier market. With its own Butchers Row selling the produce of local farmers the market and surrounding shops offer that little something different. From books and jewellery to gifts and hairdressers there's something for most tastes. The surrounding market place is also home to some wonderful inns, cafes and bars (please note the Pannier Market is only open Tuesday and Saturdays while Butchers Row and Marketing Place shops are open Monday - Saturday)
| Website | www.bidefordtown.co.uk |
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| How to get there | Those travelling from Barnstaple, Fremington or Instow should take services 1/2 which operate a 10 minute frequency from Monday to Saturday during the day, a half hourly service in the evenings and a half hourly service on Sundays and Public Holidays. |
Golden Bay, Westward Ho!
Westward Ho! Has two miles of sandy beach known as the Golden Bay which has good facilities including a café, toilets, deck chair hire and lifeguards (during peak season) Golden Bay is famous for its Pebble Ridge, which lies between the beach and Northam Burrows Country Park. The bay also has some large areas of sand dunes and those who like to explore will find a rich variety of birds, insects and wild flowers. For those who like a stroll the South Western Coastal Path also runs through Westward Ho!
| Website | www.devon-online.com |
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| How to get there | Those travelling from Barnstaple, Bideford, Fremington or Northam should take service 1 which operates up to every 30 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday and every hour on Sundays and Public Holidays. |
Woolacombe
Woolacombe holds the 'England for Excellence Gold Award' for best family resort and was voted the Best British Beach in the Mail On Sunday. Its beach has been voted one of Britain's best and lies between Morte Point and Baggy Point. This three-mile long stretch of golden sand has won both the blue flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for it's cleanliness, water quality and facilities. Life guards ensure safe family swimming during the summer and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy the great waves and clean water (there are wetsuit and board hire facilities there) The beach is also great for families with excellent food, shop and toilet facilities.
| Website | www.woolacombetourism.co.uk |
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| How to get there | If you're travelling from Ilfracombe catch the 31 which operates via Mullacott Cross and Lee Cross and is also ideal if you're staying at the Gold Coast or Woolacombe Sands Holiday Parks. If you're travelling from Barnstaple or Braunton catch the 303. Both operate Monday to Saturday (except Public Holidays) and stop in the centre of Woolacombe right next to the beach. |