Garden, Beaches & Things to Do
Gardens
There is plenty of outdoor space to enjoy at Webbery Barton Barn. Relax in the southwest facing sun loggia with glazed roof or on the extensive sun terrace, ideal for sun bathing and summer dining. The terrace has a BBQ area with tables, chairs and umbrellas where you can watch the sun go down. The formal garden is arranged in front of the barn where there are sweeping lawns and the paddocks are great for running around in.
Places to Visit and Things to Do - Beaches, Villages and Activities
Webbery Barton Barn is set in an incredible location just a few miles from the spectacular beaches of the Atlantic coast. There are beaches galore to choose from and sites to explore. For the active there is everything on offer from sailing, surfing and swimming to riding, golf and cycling or try something new and exhilarating like wakeboarding, bridge jumping or coasteering. A flavour of some of the best beaces, villages and towns is given below and for activities this is one of the best served places in the country for getting active both on land and in the water.
Beaches
There are so many beaches but some of the best are listed below.
Saunton Sands
One of Devon's most memorable beaches, Saunton Sands is an impressive expanse of flat sand stretching for three miles backed by massive sand dunes and very popular with families and surfers.
Croyde Bay
Try out a few watersports at Croyde Bay, part of the beautiful heritage coastline of North Devon and one of the UK's favourite surfing beaches. Croyde village is a charming hamlet of thatched cottages with many places to eat, buy gifts and great for hiring beach equipment and wetsuits. Why not try a little surfing too - the surf schools here are some of the best in the country. Just put your wetsuit on and enjoy the water all year round at this beach.
Wesward Ho!
With two miles of wonderful sandy beach known as the Golden Bay you can enjoy swimming, surfing, canoeing and kite surfing at Westward Ho! The sand dunes are a haven for birds, insects and wild flowers and Northam Burrows Country Park is tucked behind the village. The South West Coastal Path and the Tarka Trail are close by - a must for cyclists and walkers.
Towns and Villages to Explore
Instow
The lovely village of Instow is less than five miles away and has a superb beach and colourful Regency styled terraced houses. There are inns, cafes and restaurants, a supermarket, a post office, gift shops and galleries. Home to the North Devon Yacht Club, this seaside village has a quiet promenade, a level sandy beach, grassy dunes and sheltered waters. The beach is popular but not crowded, a splendid place for children to play on the dunes or in the sea and in the winter it is a beautiful place for walks.
Appledore
Appledore is a lovely coastal village, a holiday home hotspot with higgledy-piggledy streets of brightly painted fishermen’s cottages, craft shops and tea rooms. Central to the village is the quay where you can view the two rivers, the Taw and the Torridge meeeting the Atlantic.
Clovelly
The cobbled, traffic-free high street of this world famous fishing village is built into a cliff and tumbles its way down past 16th Century whitewashed cottages festooned with flowers, to the tiny working port. This historic village has links with Turner, Charles Kingsley, Dickens and the Spanish Armada and people remark on the maritime atmosphere, stunning views and peaceful tranquility.
Bideford
Bideford is a small picturesque pastel-coloured port town on the estuary of the River Torridge with many shops, cafes and two handy supermarkets. In the 16th Century Bideford was Britain's third largest port and it is said that Sir Walter Raleigh landed the first shipment of tobacco there.
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is the historic capital of North Devon with lots of shops and excellent dining choices. For shopping there is the Barnstaple Pannier Market with its local produce, crafts and antiques and for day to day shopping there are supermarkets and Marks and Spencer. Barnstaple is just six miles from Webbery Barton Barn so handy for all your shopping requirements.
Activities
Cycling - over 30 miles of Tarka Trail for cyclists and walkers between Braunton and Meeth using the old railways of North Devon. Cycles for hire from www.tarkabikes.co.uk
Surfing - lessons and equipment hire at Croyde Beach, Bideford and Woolacombe
Sailing - Sail Cats are located at Instow in North Devon and offer day sails, sailing adventures and experiences on the Taw and Torridge Estuary in a hobie pacific 18 racing catamaran. All equipment provided. Visit www.sailcats.co.uk
Adventure days - vist Skern Lodge in Appledore, a professional outdoor activity centre offering a huge choice of activities for families and friends from bodyboarding, surf skiing and kayaking to tackling an assault course, bridge jumping and abseiling. www.skernlodge.co.uk.
Golf - play at Saunton Sands Golf Club. It is widely regarded as one of the top links courses in the country. The magnificent course follows the dramatic UNESCO protected Burrows site along the shoreline. Or visit the Royal North Devon Golf Club nearby at Westwatd Ho!
Coasteering, wakeboarding and water skiing and much more are on offer from Point Breaks, www.pointbreaks.com.
Places to Eat
Some of the best for large groups are listed below but always book in advance!
James Duckett at the Old Custom House, Barnstaple
As featured in the Michelin and Good Food Guides, this award winning, fine dining restaurant in Barnstaple caters for large groups but pre-booking essential. This wonderful restauarnt won Best Restaurant in the 2009 North Devon Food and Drink awards and a Gold award in the Taste of the West awards for its use of local produce. Private catering can be aranged.
Squires Fish Restaurant, Braunton
Devon's only Rick Stein recommended fish and chip resstaurant is a legendary family run place in the heart of the village. Eat in the modern 120 seater restaurant or simply enjoy a take away!
