North Corwall / North Devon

[The Maharajah of Sydney]

Will be over visiting the UK shortly and am looking to spend a few days in this area in early August.
Have been to both Cornwall & Devon numerous times before but not to the northern parts of the 2 counties.
Seeking tips & recommendations for good pubs, walking tracks & trails - both coastal & country, historic houses & gardens,
accommodation and throw in a decent golf course if you know of one.
Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated - thank you very much !

 

[tedlit]

Look into Lynmouth as a base for North Devon. Convenient for everything, great walks, good food/pubs, but can get mega busy. Less of a tourist trap than Ilfracombe.

 

[Seasidesage]

Take a Banjo and avoid Tiverton like the plague...

 

[dougdeep]

You must do St Ives even though it's a bit spoilt these days. Perranporth is worth a look too.

 

[SJ's Love Monkey]

Weare Gifford is lovely

 

[dazzer6666]

Take a Banjo and avoid Tiverton like the plague...

Was born and brought up near Tiverton and my and the wife's families all live there or near there.......

I'd agree with you.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Look into Lynmouth as a base for North Devon. Convenient for everything, great walks, good food/pubs, but can get mega busy. Less of a tourist trap than Ilfracombe.

My late uncle lived in Ilfracombe and we went as a family every 2 years or so. Never been quite sure if/why the town itself is a tourist trap. Has a nice harbour, a couple of good pubs and my uncle used to be in a very good Am Dram theatre but that was about it, unless there were things we all missed. However if you are in that area then Ilfracombe to Woolacombe is an excellent walk and Woolacombe has an lovely long sandy beach where the surf has been known to get up. There used to be a bus back so you could enjoy a post walk pint but haven't been for a while so not sure if this is still running.

http://www.explorethesouthwestcoastpath.co.uk/illfracombe2woolacombe.html

 

[SouthCoastOwl]

Unless you've married your sister and want to meet people like yourself avoid Barnstable.

 

[somerset]

All of Cornwall and Devon is heaving in August...... Especially the coast.....but inland near Bodmin, Helman Tor, Lanhydrock House is great for walks and pubs. Daymer Bay is great too....... for me the Quantocks are where you can really experience the West Country,.... look up Nether Stowey and the Coleridge Trail.

 

[brighton terra]

Two of my favourite coastal walks:

Trebarwith Strand to Boscastle
http://www.parkfarmcottages.org.uk/walks/circular/boscastle_bus.html

Hunters Inn to Woody Bay
http://www.holidayexmoor.co.uk/walks/woodybaywalk.htm

 

[The Birdman]

Watch out for the Highwaymen and Smugglers if you can understand them, try the Jamaica inn. One visit to Eden project is enough but go to the lost gardens of Heligan. Have a good visit lovely little villages all along the north coast. Watch out for the seagulls they are big buggers down that way.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Two of my favourite coastal walks:

Trebarwith Strand to Boscastle
http://www.parkfarmcottages.org.uk/walks/circular/boscastle_bus.html

Hunters Inn to Woody Bay
http://www.holidayexmoor.co.uk/walks/woodybaywalk.htm

Hunters Inn is a beautiful place and the walk from the Inn to the Beach is well worth it.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Valley of The Rocks just above Lynmouth (West) is an amazing place.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

The walk from Croyde over Baggy Point to Putsborough is also spectacular.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

In fact that whole coastal area from Lynmouth to Bude is peppered with interesting places.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Watermouth Castle, near Combe Martin is a good half day out for the family. A mix of some history with some rides.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

As a child we often went on holiday to Bude, so I have good memories of that place. It's not very polished, but with good weather it's a great area for a holiday, massive beaches, towering cliffs, and outdoor tidal swimming pool, and decent campsites.

 

[topbanana36]

If in North Devon a hockings ice cream has to be bought simply the best and with clotted cream on top makes it even more amazing

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Valley of The Rocks walk

http://www.walkscene.co.uk/description_42/Valley_of_Rocks_Watersmeet__Lynmouth.html

 

[Hiney]

Like others have said, all of the area is massively busy in the summer. Bosinney Bay near Tintagel is an amazing little cove. You gave to walk down a crazy winding path to get to it but it's well worth it.