North Devon July 22

[tim]

Sorry for the delay, but as requested a quick summary of our week in north Devon

We got back from the Broads lunchtime on the Saturday, as I had previously said due to the very hot weather forecast, we had decided that the load lugger Volvo Estate would be parked up and we would take Mandy’s car a Golf convertible.

Both cars are diesel automatics with all the gadgets to make driving easier, however the Golf doesn’t have built in Sat Nav so we would have to rely on google maps on the iPhone or go back to how we used to navigate, with a map!

Surprisingly, all the stuff we wanted to take fitted into the small boot on the Golf, Mandy did manage to pack light, Susie was going back to work so only two of us and Lottie

We had six nights booked just outside Lynmouth and one night in Salisbury to break up the journey back

I like to travel early when driving long distance, so whilst not being over happy with leaving at 6.30am on a Sunday morning, Mandy did accept the reasons

220 miles Maidstone to Lynmouth, the plan was to stop at our usual place, Cartgate Picnic Area on the A303 near Yeovil, as planned we left at 6.30, roof up on Mandy’s insistence, but to be fair I didn’t suggest we should have the top down at that time

It’s lovely picnic area, plenty of space to give Lottie a run, and a café in the middle and good toilet facilities, just one problem, the café was closed so we used the toilets let Lottie have a walk and moved on to an American style diner on the A303 a bit further down, this was now about 9.30 and the weather was now getting quite warm, so we decided to sit outside (not sure if they were dog friendly inside but doubt it)

Having had a light breakfast and a drink we continued our journey, this time roof down. Next stop was the beach for Lottie and a pub for me lunch for Mandy, we were heading for Porlock Weir, which has all we need (photos below)

The journey through Taunton was a bit slower but we weren’t in a great rush and arrived at about midday, there is a pay and display car park near the beach and pub so we parked up and went for a little wander a paddle for Lottie and just soaked up the sunshine and sea air

Thirsty work all this sunshine so we sat outside the Ship Inn had a drink and looked at the menu, although many were enjoying the Sunday lunch offerings fortunately there was a lighter menu, so we settled on a sandwich. I couldn’t eat a roast in that heat!

Mandy is not a drinker, a glass of wine or a Pimms is enough for her, but I make up for that and  enjoyed a few beers in the sunshine, time to leave (and change drivers) it was now about 2.30, so we decided to have a look round Porlock Village at the top of the hill, and of course in that heat we had another drink in another pub also called the Ship Inn!

I found out later that the two pubs are owned by the same people and are often referred to as the Upper and Lower Ship

It was only 10 miles to Countisbury where we were staying at The Blue Ball Inn, but you do have to go up Porlock Hill, anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure, I can tell you it’s steep, I remember towing a caravan up there about 20 years ago, that was fun!

The Blue Ball Inn is on the main road into Lynmouth, the car park is the other side of the road, the garden is on the side, there isn’t much of a rear as the landscape doesn’t allow it, the road isn’t that busy, so the car park being opposite isn’t a problem (we have stayed there before about 8 years ago)

The beer is good, we had a couple of evening meals at the pub, and they were very good, we chose to eat at other places during the week.

The rooms were very comfortable, very dog friendly, staff and owners were great, we thoroughly enjoyed our 6-night stay

It cost us £100 a night plus a fiver for the dog but included full breakfast. One nice touch, they will cook a sausage for your dog with a voluntary contribution of a £1, this pound goes to the local Dogs Trust, the landlady was telling me that the previous month they had sent £364 to the charity, that a lot of sausages!

I used to walk Lottie past the church then up to the coastal path every morning, the views of Lynmouth Bay are beautiful (Photos below and the pub)

The next day we spent our day in Lynmouth / Lynton, the beach was a bit rocky, but we had a lovely walk up the river Lyn, where Lottie enjoyed a few paddles amongst the rocks, (photos below) we had a nice lunch in the garden of the Village Inn and used the water powered cliff railway to go up to Lynton but decided to walk down, that certainly stretched the calf muscles

We toured around North Devon / North Somerset, a few comments below:

Combe Martin -the main beach is not dog friendly, but just around the bay is Newberry beach which is, there is a pub nearby called Pack O Cards, which has a nice garden beer and food. Legend has it that a guy called George Ley built it 300 years ago after a big win on the cards, and to try and carry on this luck!

it has 13 floors and fireplaces, 52 stairs and windows on four floors. Apparently built on 52 sq ft plus 1 extra foot for the joker. It does have the look of a house of cards

Downside was the parking ticket we received in the car park near the beach, we only bought an hour as we really only wanted to use it for the beach, however with 5 mins left on our time, Mandy wanted to find a shop to get a couple of things, so I took Lottie back to the car, strapped her in and lowered the roof, I had told Mandy if I saw a warden come round I’d leave and pick her up on the road, no one came round, Mandy returned to the car and we left 7 mins after we should. I was therefore surprised and annoyed to get a parking ticket through the post with pictures of us entering and leaving the car park, wow, number plate readers and cameras on a car park which probably holds 30 cars

Clovelly – We’ve been here quite a few times it really is quaint and beautiful, however you do have pay and enter through the visitor centre, however it does pay for it’s upkeep, half way back up the hill we popped into the New Inn for a quick drink and got talking to a couple of local residence and left 3 hours later, it was great to hear about the village from two guys that between them had lived in the village for 97 years! (Photos below)

Blue Anchor Beach near Watchet – Apparently a dog friendly beach according to tourist information, what they didn’t say was when the tide is out, parts of the beach are like quick sand, we parked towards the end of the beach and as we went down to the sea it became clear we were having trouble, Lottie was happily chasing her ball, when she suddenly sunk to her tummy as I went to get her I sank a good foot into the sand, it took a while but we eventually managed to get back to the harder sand, but it was a bit scary for a while, we left the balls she was chasing as it was just too dangerous to get them. We walked along the path to the toilets about a half a mile from where we joined the beach there was a sign saying beware soft sand, but there were no signs where we went down on proper handrailed steps to get to the sands. That just seems wrong in today's health & safety world

We went for a drink at the Smugglers Inn, the landlord told me they have had to rescue people by helicopter on a number of occasions and that there aren’t enough warning signs up, oh well we wont be going back there again

Watchet – Nice little fishing village and harbour

Tarr Steps Dulverton – lovely walk from the car park down to Tar Steps and back, there is a pub close by to help quench your thirst after the walk, Dulverton Village is a beautiful village which we enjoyed after a walk round

Hele Beach – situated between Combe Martin and Ilfracombe, this is a lovely safe dog friendly beach, which is easily missed, we went there a few times, it has the benefit of a nice locals type of pub at the top, nice beer and food and a garden with great views (photos below)

Woolacombe – we have some friends that moved down to Devon a couple of years ago, so whilst we were down that way we arranged to meet up, their choice was Woolacombe, which is not really mine and Mandy’s type of place. It’s a bit commercialised for my liking and too modern, We prefer quiet quaint places, but it’s got a big sandy beach for the dogs (they’ve got two) to run and play, we had lunch in a local bar and a good chat it was good to catch up but parking was a tenner no matter low long you were there

Broadlands Beach – a beautiful little beach again between Combe Martin and Ilfracombe, we had some lunch at the Sawmills and with their permission left the car there and walked to this beach, it’s about a ¾ mile walk but the last bit has 200 steps to get down, but it was worth it (photos below)

So, all in all we had a great time with some great weather, the roof on Mandy’s car was only closed when we parked, the weather was glorious and wasn’t that busy.

Sat Nav was a bit of an issue at times as we had to rely on the internet, which in North Devon is not always very good but we managed, plus did have a map, if necessary, it’s just Mandy is rubbish at reading it, her words!

[Mouldy]

It’s a very beautiful area.  Many years ago, before I met the wife, I had a holiday staying at a farmhouse in the Doone Valley.  We’ve been back to the area several times, usually staying in Combe Martin, which is a good spot for touring round.  So many places to visit - Lynton, Lynmouth, Watersmeet, Oare Church, Valley of the Rocks, Porlock (and the Hill), Woolacombe, Croyde, Clovelly and more.

I must go back down again soon - you’ve reminded me of the area with your blog! 

 

[ChrisB]

Moi aussi, 19 years since I was there. Time for a re-visit.

[Turnoar]

Anyone any idea what the clinker sailing dinghy is in the second photo, a Yachting World Dayboat perhaps, or a local one design?

Lovely photo’s, only ever driven through Devon on the way to Cornwall, looks well worth visiting.

[CeePee1952]

We have friends who live in Bideford and once a year we go down for a long weekend stay with them.  Clovelly is a lovely place and we'll either have a drink in the Red Lion or the New Inn, depending how fit we feel at the time  (it was these friends who we introduced to the Broads last year and they are doing it again with us next year!).

Chris

[SwanR]

Thank you so much for sharing this. We have had a number of wonderful holidays in North Devon although we never made it to Lynton & Lynmouth. We were booked to go there a few years back but had to cancel for family reasons. Instow will always be special as we spent our honeymoon there.

[YnysMon]

Thanks so much for sharing your holiday. We stayed in Minehead a couple of years ago and walked along the coast over to Porlock. We didn’t manage to get down to Porlock Wier though, which I would love to have visited. We were just too exhausted and needed food by the the time we got to the village.  I’d love to visit the area again as there was so much to see and do. 

[ChrisB]

11 hours ago, Turnoar said:

Anyone any idea what the clinker sailing dinghy is in the second photo, a Yachting World Dayboat perhaps, or a local one design?

Lovely photo’s, only ever driven through Devon on the way to Cornwall, looks well worth visiting.

Difficult, with that cover on, but lines are similar to the largest "Tideway" the 14 footer.

[RS2021]

We love North Devon too and go down most years. Instow is a favourite. I love the coast and have managed to walk from Minehead to Padstow (not all in one go). The great thing is there are just so many great villages and beautiful views and if you start to tire of them you can always hop on the ferry to Lundy.