Cottages in North Devon

Still largely a secret to the wider world, North Devon is one of the UK’s truly hidden gems, with beauty and charm by the bucket load. From the award-winning beaches where surfers flock (Croyde is a firm favourite), to ancient cliff-clinging villages with cobbled streets, the historic market towns where independent sellers line the streets, North Devon holidays are perfect for all. Whether you're a couple looking for a romantic retreat, a family after the perfect summer holiday or a solo traveller, we have the perfect North Devon Cottage for you.

The North Devon coastline has been called The Adventure Coastline, mainly because of its reputation as a surfing and watersports hotspot. Putsborough and Croyde, where we have a range of properties, are famed for their large Atlantic sea swells and people of all ages and abilities can be found surfing and bodyboarding here during the summer months. Clifton Court Flats in Putsborough look out onto this idyllic beach and its cliffs, which are truly beautiful. Putsborough is lesser-known than its sister beaches, Croyde and Woolacombe, but is still within walking distance of these family-friendly sands. 

Woolacombe has won various Beach of the Year awards, and its most recent achievement has been its ranking as the 20th ‘Best Beach’ in the entire world! Not only is the beach itself gorgeous, but Woolacombe town sports all your seaside favourites. Enjoy a spot of crazy golf at Funder Island amusement park, or stock up on buckets and spades at Woolacombe Beach Shop. We also have one of our most impressive cottages in Woolacombe: High View Farmhouse. This luxury cottage sleeps up to 12 guests, with space for four pets, who very much may enjoy joining you on the various walking trails around the South West Coast Path. It also has an outdoor hot tub, swimming pool, and there are even alpacas that live on the farm who you are more than welcome to make friends with. One of Woolacombe’s most popular family days out is the two-hour boat trip to Lundy Island, a Marine Conservation Reserve where you can see seals, puffins, sea birds and occasionally dolphins!

Saunton Sands is another great beach, and its sandy shores are populated by miles of sand dunes, which are a popular picnic spot. Saunton Sands also has its very own doggy surf school! Two of our Knell Lodge apartments in Saunton Sands, numbers one and four allow you to bring one dog, and nearby cottage Norboro allows for two pets, so why not bring your canine companions along and get them enrolled in doggy surf school?

The North Devon countryside is equally special, and we have holiday cottages dotted in and around Exmoor that are ideal for exploring this part of the world. Explore Exmoor National Park, which is home to many impressive natural features, the most notable being the breathtaking Valley of the Rocks. The Valley of the Rocks is home to a population of wild mountain goats, and the national park is also home to a herd of wild ponies who live on the moor, making Exmoor the perfect place for fans of four-legged creatures!

The Tarka trail extends across 180 miles of the North Devon area, and follows the journey of Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamson’s book. This is a much gentler trail than some of Devon’s mountain walks, and is perfect for cyclists, it easily combines flat stretches, woodland and some incredible views. 

North Devon also has plenty to offer history fans, too. From being the last place to execute people during the seventeenth-century witch trials, to being a place of strategic importance during the D-Day landings, where hundreds of US soldiers were located before their rehearsal of the landings in Slapton Sands. One highlight of North Devon’s living history is a visit to the town of Clovelly, which locals say is almost like a living museum, fit with cobbled streets and original architectural features. 

One thing is for sure, and that is that North Devon is a truly fantastic holiday place. Browse our diverse choice of cottages in the area to find your perfect bolthole for your retreat to this part of the South West.