What is There to Do on a Woolacombe bay holiday?
• Walk around Woolacombe down to the beach from your holiday accommodation Woolacombe.
• Sunbathe and build sandcastles on the golden sand.
• Book surfing lessons with one of the village’s reputable schools.
• Enjoy the six-mile walk along the sand to Putsborough and back to the village through the dunes.
• Explore the village’s shops, within walking distance of holiday cottages in Woolacombe.
• Play a round of mini golf at Funder Island.
• Watch the sun set on the horizon from a seafront pub or restaurant in Woolacombe.
• Walk up the hill to the pretty clifftop village of Mortehoe.
• Hike a section of the South West Coast Path, on the doorstep of our luxury holiday cottages in Woolacombe Bay Devon.
• Explore the neigbouring harbour of Ilfracombe or the market town of Barnstaple.
• Take a day trip to Exmoor National Park, a scenic drive eastward from your Woolacombe holiday home.
How to Make the Most of the Coast on a Self-Catering Woolacombe beach Holiday
Woolacombe Bay is a three-mile stretch of golden sand, backed by grassy dunes and cliffs. At the northern end of the village, Barricane is a smaller beach with rockpools and an excellent café serving Sri Lankan food. At the southern end of the beach, Putsborough is a sheltered stretch of sand overlooked by towering cliffs. The seafront is a short walk or drive from Woolacombe Bay cottages, and there is parking on the Esplanade, which overlooks the beach, and in a number of car parks in the village. Just behind the beach, Funder Island is a fun, family attraction with a pirate-themed mini golf course and bumper cars. There is a tourist information centre for visitors seeking tips on how to make the most of Woolacombe Bay self-catering holidays. During the summer months, lifeguards maintain safety at the beach, where swimmers and surfers are separated by flags. Woolacombe is a multi-award-winning beach, thanks to its clean water and vast, unspoiled stretch of sandy shore. Letting holiday cottages in the area are particularly popular among visitors who want to spend most of their time on the beach, where there is always plenty of space for sunbathing, building sandcastles, and water sports. The South West Coast Path runs through the village, with spectacular views along the coast and across the ocean, toward Lundy Island. Many holiday cottages in Woolacombe have easy access to the path, which crosses towering cliffs and passes secluded, hidden coves. Further afield, the coast is scattered with ancient harbours such as Clovelly and Lynmouth, and charming seaside towns and villages, including Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, and Westward Ho!
Surfing Near Our Woolacombe Bay Apartments and Cottages
Thanks to its sandy shore, clean water and west-facing position, Woolacombe provides excellent, consistent conditions for surfers of all levels. With three miles of shore, there is plenty of room for everyone to catch a few waves, even in the middle of summer. Unlike many other surf spots on the North Devon coast, Woolacombe produces waves at all stages of the tide, although the quality may deteriorate slightly when the tide is at its highest. When the swell is large or the wind is strong, more manageable conditions can often be found at Putsborough, which is either a short drive or a walk along the shore from holiday cottages in Woolacombe bay Devon. There are a number of good surf shops and schools in the village for visitors who want to take lessons, or buy or rent boards and wetsuits.
Best Places to Eat and Drink Near our Woolacombe Holiday Cottages
There are a number of pubs and bars within walking distance of Woolacombe bay self-catering accommodation. The Red Barn is a local favourite, with a good selection of local ales, an impressive display of vintage surfboards, and a terrace with sea views. On Beach Road, Bar Electric is a popular spot for cocktails or a bite to eat, while Captain Jack’s is a cosy pub with a range of rums. For a night out on Woolacombe beach holidays, see what’s on at the village’s popular nightclub, Marisco. Woolacombe is also home to one of the region’s best fine dining restaurants, Noel Corston, where you can expect superb food prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The beach café at Putsborough provides refreshments for walkers completing the six-mile round trip from our Woolacombe holiday homes. A pair of historic pubs can be found in the village of Mortehoe, a short but steep walk uphill from Woolacombe. Mortehoe is also home to an excellent fish and chip shop.
Shops Near Cottages in Woolacombe
There are plenty of shops in the village centre, within walking distance of our luxury Woolacombe holiday rentals. There is a small grocery on West Road selling a good range of local produce, while Woolacombe Holiday Shop is the place to go for buckets, spades and anything else you need for a day on the beach. On the main road into Woolacombe, there is a petrol station with a small shop. There are a number of shops selling clothing and surf equipment, including The Bay Surf Shop and Shore 2 Surf. The nearest supermarkets can be found in the neighbouring town of Ilfracombe, or the village of Braunton.
Other Places to Visit Near your holiday cottage in Woolacombe
Woolacombe holiday apartments are close to a number of other beaches, for visitors who want to explore the coast. Croyde and Saunton are both a short drive away, with beautiful, sandy bays and great surfing conditions. There are a few lesser-known spots nearby, too, including secluded Rockham Beach, which must be reached on foot, either on the coast path or from Mortehoe. A little further east, Lee Bay is a rocky beach, backed by fields and woods, with a lovely pub, the Grampus. Many of North Devon’s best family attractions can be reached within a few miles of our luxury holiday cottages Woolacombe, including the much loved Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, home to wolves, lions and remarkable animatronic dinosaurs hidden in the woods. Nearby, Watermouth Castle is another popular family attraction with a theme park, toy train and gardens. The market town of Barnstaple is a short drive southward from Woolacombe, with a variety of shops. Head to Butchers Row or the Pannier Market for fresh produce and gifts. East of our Woolacombe holiday cottages, Ilfracombe is a charming town with independent shops, graceful Victorian architecture and plenty of seaside amusements. The town has a bustling working harbour, where Damien Hirst’s striking Verity statue looks out to sea. A scenic drive east from our holiday cottages in Woolacombe, Exmoor National Park is a wild expanse of moors, rocky coast and deep, wooded valleys, where wild ponies and deer are often spotted.
Where are the best Woolacombe Cottages?
Many of the holiday cottages in Woolacombe are located on the esplanade offering sea views from the comfort of your living room. Despite most of the pubs, surf schools and activities being in the centre of Woolacombe, there are a number of Woolacombe Cottages on the hillside as your come into Woolacombe and as you drive towards Morethoe giving you plenty of choice when deciding where you would like to stay during your holiday in Woolacombe.