Things to do
In Westward Ho!
Westward Ho! is a great place for exploring North Devon, whether you are interested in coastal walks, beaches and surfing, cycling, art, good food, gardens or golf. Wander along the seafront with a Hockings ice cream, try rock pooling, or visit the many family friendly pubs, restaurants and attractive cafes. The list is endless, but below you will find our guide to some of our favourite things to see and do in the area. Browse the list or skip to one of the following sections:
Eating Out
WESTWARD HO!
Slice of Life
Lovely little cafe right by the sea serving breakfast, light snacks, tea & coffee and homemade cakes.
Tea on The Green
Excellent “American Fifties” themed tea room, specialising in cream teas and homemade cakes. Very good, generous lunches. 01237 429406
Rockpool Cafe
This is a must for breakfast. Serving ‘build your own’ breakfasts, where you can choose what you want and how much of it. â€01237 477763‬
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Pebbleridge Kitchen Beach Cafe
Good coffee and selection of sandwiches, toasties and cakes. Hidden away next to the visitor centre on Northam Burrows.
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Atlantic Bay
How fish and chips used to be. Don't be put off by the queue because they work so fast and so hard and you'll be served before you know it. â€01237 470815‬
The Pier House
Seafront bar and restaurant with bistro dining, perched on the cliff edge overlooking Bideford Bay and Lundy Island. Offers views of the Atlantic ocean. 01237 477777
Pig & Olive
Pizza On The Pebbles - These fantastic sourdough pizzas are cooked in a wood fired oven at 480 degrees, meaning they are ready in 90 seconds! Eat in, takeaway or delivery. 01237 488056
Morans
This family run establishment specialises in a range of Thai cuisine Overlooking Bideford Bay, wonderful Thai food all cooked in an open theatre kitchen. We suggest booking in advance. 01237 472070
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APPLEDORE
Coffee Cabin
Delicious coffee, homemade cakes and infamous crab sandwiches
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Market Street Kitchen
A hidden gem behind the quay. A stunning secret garden and traditional, welcoming cafe.
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The Royal Plaice
Chips prepared fresh everyday, homemade tartare sauce and local specials of scallops, line caught bass and skate wings often available.
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The Beaver
Friendly, laid back atmosphere with local ales and views of the estuary. 01237 474822
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The Royal George
Dating back to the 18th century, the newly renovated RG sits on the waters edge and offers a local, seasonal a la carte menu. 01237 424138
The Flame Factory
Bringing wood fired pizza, flame grilled burgers and rare breed Closely Longhorn steaks to Appledore quay side. 01237 475261
BIDEFORD
Cafe Du Parc
Attached to the Burton Art Gallery, this much loved institution serves great value lunches, homemade cakes, local coffee and exceptional galettes and specials.
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Korea Town Kitchen - Takeaway
Authentic, Korean inspired, home cooked food available for takeaway and delivery. Amazing specials, book in advance. 07596 367384
Out & About
Appledore Quay is a great place to stroll, to go crabbing, to watch the tide, the boats and the changing quality of light. Hockings, the local ice cream, is highly recommended.
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Anchor park by the museum is lined with cherry blossom in spring, has a great play area for kids and field ideal for kicking a ball about. The pirate ship play area, off the main car park also has a skate park attached.
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Appledore’s art galleries, shops, pubs and narrow lanes. Stroll to the Lifeboat Station and watch the sunset on a fine day.
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Instow - across the water from Appledore with good pubs and a yacht club. Take the Appledore-Instow Ferry in summer
Tapeley Park near Instow- lovely Italianate garden, walks with great views and walled vegetable garden. Charming café/tea room.
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Braunton Burrows - UNESCO biosphere reserve with huge range or interesting plants and insects amidst the sand dunes
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The South West coastal path: clearly marked, good for all ages and abilities​
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Cycling the Tarka trail towards Torrington or Barnstaple. This is all off road and completely safe for ‘weekend cyclists’. Bikes can be hired at various places: at East-the-Water side of Bideford old bridge (turn right), Barnstaple train station or Fremington Quay (for a riverside ride, good for a visit in its own right). Look out for leaflets for more information.
Built on the site of an ancient settlement atop an inland cliff with the River Torridge below, Great Torrington is a welcoming market town that enjoys spectacular views and it's easy to look up the fascinating history online before heading out an exploring the breathtaking scenery.
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RHS Rosemoor Garden, nestled in a Devon Valley, blends formal and informal planting to magical effect. Rich in horticultural heritage, this year round beautiful garden offers something for everyone.
Clovelly Village and Gardens is a must. An ancient and privately owned fishing village, perched on a 400ft cliff. The circular walk from Brownsham Woods to Closvelly is breathtaking and makes a pint in the Red Lion even more refreshing.
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Taking a dip at Hartland Quay or walking along the coast path towards Speke's Mill Mouth Waterfall where you can carry along to Docton Mill Gardens, an award winning and very traditional tea rooms is a great way to spend a day. On the first Sunday of the month, visit the Hartland Farmers Market and pick up some sourdough and bakes for sustenance.
Hartland Abbey is a cherished home, often shared to star in film and thankfully, with the public too. The gardens, almost unchanged over the centuries, are a beautiful, peaceful place to visit. Describing the romantic walled gardens, bog garden, fernery, the 'Ladies Walk 'through woodland, carpeted with wild flowers cannot do them justice. Walking to the wild Atlantic Cove, through the woodland walk and past the Gazebo offers some of the most spectacular cliff scenery in the British Isles.
Drive the ‘Atlantic Highway’ coastal route to Bude in Cornwall, watch the surfers or join in amongst it and test out the sea pool. Bude is quirky, full of independent shops and worth seeking out Temple or Electric Bakery for sustenance.
Lynton and Lynmouth, also known as 'Little Switzerland', elegantly connected by the Cliff Railway, the highest and steepest fully water powered Victorian railway in the world! Also encompassing; Valley of the Rocks, Watersmeet and Heddon Valley, this corner of exmoor is full of stunning scenery, magnificent wildlife, views to remember forever and unique local character.
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The scenic Tarka Line train from Barnstaple to Exeter, with its award winning museum, quayside and cathedral.
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A trip to Lundy Island - needs planning because of the tides and its popularity
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Shopping
Westward Ho!
Convenience stores and mini supermarkets available to reach on foot.
Hocking’s ice cream (established in 1936) and made from high quality West Country butter and clotted cream are.a must whenever passing the slipway.
Bideford
Hirons & Sons are 5th and 6th generation butchers proudly servicing local, ethically produced meat, dealing directly with local farmers and producers. Exclusive suppliers of grass-fed Clovelly Longhorn Beef, right alongside a selection of independent shops in the pedestrianised area of Mill Street
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Nash Family Fruit & Veg (Kellans on the sign) offer the best of the local produce when in season and a colourful array of more unusual, delicious varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables at a great price.
Large Morrisons on the way into Bideford, with petrol station.
Asda, Aldi and Lidl towards Atlantic Village on the A361
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Appledore
Johns Appledore serve local ale, cheese and Jam and delicious homemade brownie.
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Devon and Cornwall Fish Company, situated on Appledore fish dock, Nathan and his team sell fish fresh off the local boats. Always happy to recommend what's seasonal and local or try Appledore Mussels which are quick and easy to prepare.
Barnstaple
​Many of the major high street chains in this important North Devon town. Free Museum with interesting local history.
Pannier Market: Monday to Saturday but food especially on Tuesdays and Fridays. Good fish, bakery, local cheeses, meat and vegetables in adjoining Butchers’ Row every day. Much more extensive than Bideford.