About North Devon

North Devon has a charm of its own, offering some of the finest countryside and coastal scenery in Britain. From dramatic cliffs and smooth sandy beaches, to rolling green hills and wooded river valleys. Devon is a county of much diversity with something for everyone to enjoy.

Famous for its award winning golden sandy beaches - Saunton, Croyde and Putsborough to name just three - and a paradise for surfing and water sport enthusiasts alike. Saunton Sands is 5 miles of flat sand stretching as far as the eye can see and backed by huge sand dunes of Braunton Burrows.

The North Devon coastline offers a wide range of opportunities for sports and recreation including sailing, fishing, rock climbing, abseiling, cycling, hiking and golf. Devon also plays host to the annual Gold Coast Ocean Fest at Croyde, an extreme sports event and music festival taking place in the summer solstice. The event showcases surfing, kite-surfing, skateboarding, BMX jumping, live music, demos, exhibitions and much more.

North Devon is superb countryside for walking. There are ample footpaths and tracks to explore the surrounding countryside, many of them offering breath- taking views. The Tarka Trail, one of the best walking and cycling routes in England, is a 180-mile long track taking a looping route across North Devon and the sights. Exmoor National Park contains a wealth of natural beauty with 250 square miles of rugged moorland and spectacular cliffs. The unique variety of landscape also means there is an abundance of wildlife to discover and it is a paradise for birdwatchers.

North Devon is made up of bustling market towns and quiet fishing harbours. The main shopping centre is Barnstaple providing a good mix of modern and traditional shops, restaurants, bar and cafes. The town also features its own indoor pannier market, museum, theatre, cinema and leisure centre as well as having won many awards for its colourful flower displays and gardens.