Things to do around Coastal Way

Located near Blackmoor Gate, Wistlandpound Reservoir is a perfect, tranquil location for relaxation, walking and angling. There is a marked circular walk around the lake which takes approximately an hour to complete (it is recommended to follow the path to avoid anglers back casts). Wistlandpound is a beautiful place to visit on a sunny day as an alternative to the seaside as it is much quieter and being less knownthan the local beaches.

Board the MS Oldenburg from Bideford or Ilfracombe to take a trip to the magical and historic Lundy Island, just 3 and a half miles long and half a mile wide. The island is the ultimate getaway from reality, filled with fantastic and beautiful scenery with not a car in sight, nor any pollution. Lundy has many opportunities to explore its fascinating past. Discover what used to be Lundy’s golf course, visit a cave that used to hold prisoners, or look for the chasm created by tremors from the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. There is a pub on the island with a lively atmosphere as well as fantastic food, drinks and company.

The Tarka Trail is a cycle/foot path that stretches 32 miles, from Braunton to Meeth. The trail is completely traffic free and is known as the Tarka Trail as its follows the journey of ‘Tarka the Otter’ in the story written by Henry Williams. The trail is easy and mainly flat, providing easy cycling along estuary banks and through wooded valleys, allowing you to experience some of the gorgeous Devon country scenery. There are 21 audio posts spread along the track, where each post has its own QR code which can be scanned on a smartphone to listen to an audio recording that will tell you about the local wildlife and history.

Mullacott Event Centre is a popular equestrian centre located just outside Ilfracombe providing riding lessons for any ability. No matter your level of skill, the friendly staff and horses will put your mind at ease. Quad biking sessions, together with the neccessary safety equipment and protective clothing are available at the centre, with a quick prior lesson so you know what to do.

Go on the 4-hour tour of Lundy Island for a unique wildlife experience with Ilfracombe Sea Safaris. Search the seas for dolphins, porpoises and the occasional whale, before getting up close and personal with the island’s 150 seals. Witness the magnificent view of Lundy Island with its jagged cliffs and beautiful untouched scenery.

To experience the other breath-taking views that the North Devon coastline has to offer, the East Meets West Sea Safari might be the boat ride for you, consisting of travelling west for an hour to discover the lighthouse and seals, passing Lee Bay then heading back up the coast, passing by Ilfracombe and towards Exmoor.

Let’s Go is the perfect place to head for some entertainment, and is especially perfect for a rainy day as all facilities are under cover. There is bowling, private karaoke pods, a snooker club and an artificial ice rink to practise your skating skills. There is a Burger King on site as well as a bar next to the bowling alley. Let’s Go has a fun and exciting atmosphere which makes it perfect for birthdays or special occasions and fun for the whole family.

Arlington Court is the perfect place to explore with the family, with over 2,700 acres to discover. Arlington Court has its own Carriage Museum, with over 40 different vehicles to admire, and plenty of hands-on activities to keep the whole family entertained. Family ranger days are held at Arlington, when you can learn how to cook on a campfire, build a shelter and track animals.

The Milky Way is a quirky adventure park located just outside Bideford. There are dodgems, a wonderful play area with the locally famous vertical slides, and even a frightfully entertaining alien encounter with a ride at the end. Outside you will find 2 rollercoasters suitable for all ages; the smaller caterpillar ride is suitable for the younger or more cautious children and the bigger rollercoaster for the more thrill seeking (and taller!) There is a café and gift shop on site, as well as plenty of opportunities for some live entertainment, including a magic performance and a birds of prey show.

Visit the last manufacturing crystal factory in the UK, and watch the talented master engraver create award winning pieces of art, as well as live glassmaking demonstrations. There are many activities on offer at Dartington Crystal, including hand casting, to help capture memories for ever. Jewellery making and glass blowing are also on offer, which will allow you to create a keepsake for you to cherish forever.

The Big Sheep offers everything you could possibly need for a brilliant day out- Cafés, a brand-new rollercoaster, live entertainment, animals, farm safaris and even a brewery! There is plenty to do for both kids and adults at The Big Sheep, with activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is set in 28 acres of gorgeous sub-tropical gardens in North Devon. Home to many creatures including penguins, meerkats, monkeys and wolves, the park is also the host of some impressive life sized dinosaur animatronics hidden around the park. If you would like to go further than just viewing the animals, become a keeper for the day! Meet some of your favourite animals face to face, as well as having the chance to feed the lions! There is a café on site serving food, drinks and ice creams.

Exmoor Zoo is known for showcasing a large array of animals from different habitats. The zoo is set deep into the North Devon countryside, with winding paths lined with trees and shrubs and providing homes for the wild birds and insects. Many animals are on display at Exmoor Zoo, from armadillo to alpaca to capybara to chameleon, and even an Exmoor beast exhibition. There is a café, toilets and a picnic on site as well as a little gift shop for souvenirs from your day.

Considered by many to be the number one fish and chips restaurant in North Devon, Squires prides itself on the exceptional quality of their traditional fish and chips. The award-winning restaurant provides all the classic accompaniments, from gherkins and mushy peas to buttered bread. The restaurant seats 130 people comfortably over 2 stylishly decorated floors and is well known for its excellent service, with the owners and family often seen getting involved in the kitchen and service.

SQ, located in the heart of Braunton, is a former bank which has been recently transformed into a stylish and modern bar and restaurant, making it the perfect setting for casual fine dining. The menu is expertly put together with a wide selection of dishes to suit any taste buds - main courses include SQ macaroni cheese, marinière mussels, beef shin ragu and many others, together with seasonal specials. The bar serves all the classics from ale to cocktails, and you can even book cocktail master classes with a local expert, perfect for a hen do or birthday.

The Williams Arms is a traditional thatched inn based just outside Braunton, a centuries old pub which has been modernised without losing its historic character. The carvery at The Williams Arms has a reputation for being one of the best in the south west, serving their delicious selection of local meat and seasonal vegetables every day of the week. The comfortable restaurant can seat up to 100 people, making it capable of catering for any occasion, from a small birthday gathering to a wedding party. The menu includes traditional pub classics with some differences- beef stroganoff, Exmoor venison and shepherd’s pie being some of the favourites.

The Agricultural Inn, Braunton (affectionately known as ‘The Aggi’) prides itself on its delicious home cooked meals, its warm welcome and its range of well-kept ales. Entertainment is in abundance, with regular live music and a weekly pub quiz. Wednesday night at The Aggi is steak night, just £10 for steak, chips, peas and onion rings. They also do a Saturday morning breakfast served from 10:30am – 1pm, and Sunday carveries, which are served both lunchtime and evening. The standard menu offers a selection of classic pub favourites; popular choices include ‘The Ultimate Aggi Burger’, chilli cheese nachos and lime and ginger pork.

The Siam Bistro in central Braunton is a small Thai café/restaurant, serving a range of traditional Thai food at lunchtime and evening, with English breakfast in the morning. The restaurant has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and is family run, with very welcoming staff to help make you comfortable. The menu includes some Thai classics such as spring rolls and Pad Thai as well as some more adventurous choices like minced pork omelette, papaya salad and siracha special fried rice

Stoned is a new and modern wood-fired pizza restaurant, that began as a holiday job around the local campsites for a young group of friends. The staff are friendly and welcoming and the menu has a lovely range of delicious pizzas with some real specialities… rump steak, garlic mushrooms and balsamic vinegar pizza or even a lobster and champagne pizza. If you fancy something slightly more traditional, there are a lot of classics including a margarita and a pepperoni pizza. An ice-cream menu is also offered with a selection of sauce and toppings as well as coffees to finish off your evening.

The Olive Room is located in the beautiful seaside town of Ilfracombe and is the restaurant of the newly Mitchelin Star-awarded Thomas Carr. All of the food is home made on the premises and there is a carefully selected wine list which complements the food perfectly. The menu is strongly influenced by Devonian cooking and prepared by an expert chef, resulting in delicious dishes which are equally tasty and aesthetically pleasing. The award winning restaurant is currently rated as the best restaurant in the whole of Devon, with nearly 200 excellent reviews on Trip Advisor.

The Thatch in Croyde is a beautiful (as the name suggests) thatched inn with a delicious selection of food and drink available throughout the day- breakfast is served from 8am until 12pm and then normal meals are served through until 10pm. There is often live entertainment at The Thatch, such as bands and open mic nights. Always busy and teeming with atmosphere, The Thatch is a favourite with surfers and families who want to relax after a day on the beach.

The popular Ebrington Arms is located in Knowle, a little village just outside Braunton on the road towards Ilfracombe. The team at this family-run pub love to bring the community together with regular charity events, quiz nights, music and disco nights. There is also a local pool and a skittles team. The menu features a variety of delicious home cooked meals which includes some out-of-the-ordinary pub food, such as crispy beef, seafood carbonara, an aubergine melt, as well as a list of tasty home-made desserts.

The Rock Inn is a charming 17th century inn boasting 5 real ales including tribute, Doombar and Landlord. The food is created using the highest quality local produce, lovingly cooked and served in the cosy bars or the bright and spacious conservatory. The menu has a deliciously quirky selection which includes Lee Bay crab, Spreacombe venison, steak and Doombar ale pie, numerous pork dishes using pigs bread on their own farm, as well as a fine selection of vegetarian options. A daily lunch menu is also available as well as a very popular roast dinner on Sundays.