Crowe Point in North Devon Click here to view nearby Kittiwake Cottage

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in North Devon

 

North Devon Holiday Cottages: The Best Places to Stay in Devon

Wherever you choose to stay in this spectacular northern corner of Devon, a self-catering break makes for an unforgettable holiday. Here you will find properties ranging from seaside cottages and luxury apartments overlooking the sandy beaches of Saunton and Woolacombe to remote rural cottages amidst the wilds of Exmoor and beautiful holiday homes in the bustling and historic coastal ports of Barnstaple and Bideford.

Book North Devon holiday cottages to catch waves in the surf at Croyde or watch dolphins from high up on Europe’s tallest cliffs between Combe Martin and Woody Bay on Devon’s rugged north coast. Relax at a coastal cottage in an ancient fishing village, such as Clovelly, or explore the countryside near old market towns like South Molton and Hatherleigh. Whatever your holiday preferences, there’s something for everyone in this secret corner of the West Country.

Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6

This large holiday cottage in Braunton, within easy reach of fabulous sandy beaches at Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe, can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Thatchers Cottage, sleeping up to six, is one of seven North Devon holiday cottages at Muddlebridge House, near Barnstaple. With an indoor swimming pool and two-acre garden, it is ideally situated for surfing, cycling, golf and fishing holidays - (in between days on the many nearby beaches). Pets welcome.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Aggies is a beautifully furnished rural holiday cottage in North Devon, sleeping 6 in 3 bedrooms close to the coast and beaches at Ilfracombe and Woolacombe.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Situated in the Challacombe block at Byron is 5 Challacombe, a luxurious North Devon holiday apartment just moments from Woolacombe beach. The pet-friendly cottage exudes coastal chic and boasts a spacious deck beside the open-plan living space, an indoor pool and a gym.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Seekings Cottage is a delightful farm cottage for two located on the edge of the beautiful Exmoor National Park near South Molton. Several good pubs are close by, including one with a Michelin-star is within easy distance.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Squirrelled away in the North Devon countryside, less than half an hour from the coast. Somers Hiscott-6 is beautifully spacious and sits right in the middle of the private estate (40 acres). There will be more than enough room for you to spill out and make this home your own – inside and out!

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A modern luxury apartment home in a brand-new North Devon coastal complex, 5 Putsborough in the heart of the seaside resort village of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a family-friendly holiday stay, a pet-friendly home with a master bedroom having a  king-sized bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, private balcony, and access to indoor pool and gym.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Braefoot is a North Devon countryside cottage in West Down close to beaches at Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. This child-friendly rural retreat at Lower Aylescott Farm is ideally located for family holidays exploring the North Devon coast.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
3

The Shippen is a pet-friendly holiday cottage in Combe Martin, sleeping 4. It is tucked away in a quiet corner on the North Devon coast at Wheel Farm Holiday Cottages: A collection of charmingly refurbished self-catering cottages with a pool.

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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

 

Where to go in North Devon

Where to go

North Devon holiday homes are perfectly located for exploring Exmoor and the ‘top’ half of Devon. If you decide to book, odds on, you’ll plan to repeat the experience many times in the years ahead. It’s that kind of county - and that kind of coast: wild, rugged, spectacular, and so enjoyably relaxing.

Barnstaple

This thriving market town on the River Taw’s estuary is packed with leisure facilities. Its historic centre is home to independent shops, tea rooms, a lovely museum and several striking landmarks, including the 13th-century Long Bridge over the Taw. The Pannier Market and Butchers Row are worth visiting for fresh, local produce or a unique gift to take home.

The Tarka Trail for Walking and Cycling Holidays

One of North Devon’s best cycle routes, the Tarka Trail, runs through Barnstaple. It follows an old railway track for more than 30 miles along the north and south banks of the Taw, from Ilfracombe, through Braunton to Meeth via Bideford and Torrington, with stunning views across the estuaries of the Taw and Torridge. There are attractive North Devon holiday cottages in the leafy, sleepy little villages in steep wooded valleys surrounding Barnstaple, such as Goodleigh, Shirwell, Kentisbury and Bratton Fleming.

From Croyde to Woolacombe

The world-class sandy surfing beaches of Croyde, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe are all a short drive from Barnstaple. Saunton is the closest, with miles of uninterrupted sand and brilliant waves for surfing. The area has several surf schools and a popular café with a terrace overlooking the Atlantic. A short, scenic drive away is Croyde, a rugged bay backed by dunes, a stroll from the pretty village.

If you want to fall asleep to the sound of the sea, Woolacombe cottages could be for you. Walk the length of this multi-award winning, 3-mile stretch of golden sand to Putsborough and back on one of the footpaths which meander through a maze of wild dunes. In the laid-back village above the sands, you’ll find pubs, cafes and shops selling everything needed for a day on the beach.

From Lee Bay to Lynmouth and Exmoor

On the South West Coast Path heading east from Woolacombe is beautiful Lynmouth, with towering cliffs, rocky peninsulas and the chance to spot dolphins and basking sharks. Stop for a pint at the Grampus, a charming pub a mile from Lee Bay - a popular swimming spot with rockpools to explore at low tide. Nearby, Ilfracombe is not to be missed. As you wander around this welcoming resort, you’ll discover grand Victorian architecture and fishing boats bobbing in a working harbour. Looming over the crashing waves is a dramatic sculpture by Damien Hirst called Verity.

East of Ilfracombe on the edge of the Exmoor National Park is Combe Martin, another seaside village with a sandy beach and superb rock pools overlooked by imposing cliffs and a selection of cafes and pubs. It’s a great starting point for a challenging walk along the South West Coast Path towards Exmoor via Heddon’s Mouth and Woody Bay, along the highest clifftops in Europe.

Exmoor’s enchanting expanse of windswept moorland is a paradise for horse riding, wildlife-watching and walking. The moor extends across North Devon and neighbouring West Somerset and meets the coast where Lynton and Lynmouth’s elegant villages cling to the sides of a wooded valley. If you’re weary after following the steep footpath from Lynton down to Lynmouth Harbour, jump on the Victorian cliff railway and savour breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel on the way back up.

From Bideford to Clovelly

Heading Southwest towards the Cornish border, Bideford, known as the Little White Town, overlooks the River Torridge, with a tangle of narrow streets to explore. Along with Ilfracombe, it’s an embarkation point for day trips to Lundy Island. Appledore is a picturesque village at the river mouth, where holiday cottages tend to be charming, beautifully restored fishermen’s cottages clustered on streets leading off the Quay.

As well as a rich shipbuilding heritage, Appledore is also home to one of North Devon’s best-loved ice cream brands, Hockings. Between April and the end of October, if you see a Hockings ice cream van on your travels, you have to stop and buy one. Ask for a cornet with a ‘girt dollop’ of clotted cream - they are the world’s best!

West of Bideford, secluded rocky coves, breathtaking clifftop walks, and shipwreck ruins await discovery on the coast. Just past the hillside fishing village of Clovelly, the Hartland Peninsula is particularly dramatic. Visit Hartland Abbey, nestled in bluebell-carpeted woods, and the pub on Hartland Quay, where a pint of ale can be enjoyed just a few feet from the crashing waves.

Visitors looking for self-catering holidays in North Devon often miss its inland areas, where you will find tranquil countryside and a scattering of villages and market towns. Discover picturesque Winkleigh and Great Torrington, where you can still find a slower, rural pace of life. There are superb days out for all the family to enjoy at The Big Sheep in Abbotsham and The Milky Way near Clovelly. Rain or shine, both places are highly recommended.

 

View holiday homes in other regions of Devon

South Devon

Dartmoor

East Devon