KITTIWAKE Activities
Fabulous pubs, stunning beaches and beautiful scenery
Braunton is the gateway to North Devon’s golden coastline featuring some of the UK's best loved beaches including the nearby privately owned Saunton Sands where dogs are welcome all year round. The village itself has everything guests could ask for such as great range of shops, pubs and restaurants and all within easy walking distance of Kittiwake. If looking to enjoy outdoor activities whilst staying at one of the properties, Braunton is the start of the Tarka Trail, a largely traffic free cycle way, as well as being home to a stable yard and several surf shops with equipment hire available. North Devon also has many different attractions to keep all the family entertained no matter what time of year you visit.
Saunton Sands
Saunton is your nearest beach to Kittiwake, only a seven minute drive and the perfect place to visit. Like many of the local beaches it makes an ideal surfing spot. Surf lessons are available locally.
Seasonally deckchairs and beach huts are available for hire if you would like to spend the whole day on the golden sands beach. You can also grab a bite to eat in Sands Café or Saunton Break Takeaway. Saunton Sands is dog friendly in most areas of the beach so it is a great place to bring along your pet!
Croyde
The natural beauty that is Croyde beach is another wonderful choice; and once again, famous for its great surf and water sports. From surfing to kite-surfing there is plenty to do to get active.
Croyde is only a 10 minute drive from Braunton and has many places to sit and enjoy a drink or meal. The Thatch is a popular pub to visit in Croyde, offering local fresh fish and farm produce, as well as fine wines and ales. If you want a more child-friendly pub you might want to try The Manor House Inn as it features a children’s play area. Croyde’s Ice Cream Parlour is ideal for a quick snack.
In the rain when you can’t sit on the beach, you can visit Cascades Adventure Pool in Croyde. Complete with a 230ft flume and rapids ride it makes fun for all. There is also a children’s pool area in Cascades.
Woolacombe
The award-winning beach at Woolacombe is guaranteed to offer a terrific day out. You can take a long stroll along the picturesque coastal path of North Devon, or even try some seal spotting!
Surfing, kayaking and paddle-boarding are popular here, as well as searching the rock pools for marine life. For somewhere different to eat you could try The Red Barn, a quirky bar/restaurant with a range of surf memorabilia to be seen, along with a beautiful view of the beach. Another one of Croyde’s gems is Jack’s Eatery. Known for their quality home-made food and cakes, you won’t find anywhere else so homely and quaint.
Horse Riding
Just on the edge of Braunton you will find Shelley’s Riding School. You can enjoy rides with a variety of terrain including the beach, woodland and country tracks, and there is a wide range of horses and ponies to suit all abilities.
Cycling
North Devon is a great place to visit if you like to cycle as it has plenty of places to ride - the best place being the North Devon Tarka Trail. Covering 163 miles in a figure of eight the Tarka Trail goes through Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe. Some of the trail even coincides with the South West Coast Path. For cycling around Braunton you can hire bikes from Otter Cycle Hire and explore the area.
Golf
If you are someone who loves a good game of golf, there’s no need to travel far. Saunton Golf Club is only a five minute drive from Braunton . Situated on Braunton Burrows the picturesque course has been established for more than 100 years.
Walking
The South West Coast Path is a gorgeous place to explore, and with 630 miles of stunning scenery it will bring you back year after year. There is a plethora of different walks, whether you want a family stroll, a trek to the local pub, or a discovery expedition, as well as various long hikes up steep hills.
Barnstaple
If you love high street shopping then Barnstaple is where you should visit. Just a 15 minute drive from Braunton, Barnstaple is home to lots of big name stores such as Next, Topshop, River Island, Boots, TK Maxx and many more. It is also a great place to go for a meal out with a great range of choice for whatever you fancy.
Other places to visit in Barnstaple would be the Leisure Centre where you can go for a swim or spend some time working up a sweat in the gym. Let’s Go! is a popular destination for bowling, lazer tag and skating rink, and the Queens Theatre where a range of shows are offered.
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe has a wealth of things to see and do. This beautiful harbour town is only a 15 minute drive from Kittiwake and has something to offer all its visitors.
The Tunnels of Ilfracombe were created by hand in the 1920’s. The rock pools there are extremely popular, and there is a tidal pool for kids to splash about in, as well as a small beach.
Another attraction in Ilfracombe is the award winning local aquarium, which is an all-weather attraction. The aquarium gives a great insight into the marine life of North Devon with recreated natural habitats.
Somewhere else to take a seaborne trip would be the Ilfracombe Princess, providing wildlife coastal cruises, which often have sightings of seals, porpoises and dolphins and is a must on your visit to Ilfracombe.
Lynton and Lynmouth
Noted for its high sea cliffs, Lynton and Lynmouth are situated on the north coast of Devon. Within the Exmoor National Park the villages offer a rich insight to an unspoilt landscape.
For people who have a passion for trains or just like to discover beautiful views, you should definitely visit Lynton and Lynmouth. There are two railways to choose from here, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway and The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, both of which are worth exploring.
The Valley Of The Rocks on the edge of Lynton is an extraordinary place to visit when visiting the village. As well as the jaw-dropping views of the valley there are also lots of wildlife that roam around the rocks, including the Exmoor ponies and the goats that climb the high rock ledges of the valley.
Georgeham
Georgeham is a pretty village situated near Croyde. Typically rural, the village is recognised for its thatched cottages, which are oddly arranged along narrow lanes. There is also a Victorian village school, a medieval church and two 17th Century public houses, The King’s Arms and The Rock – The Kings Arms being especially popular.
Broomhill Sculpture Gardens
See artwork and sculptures from around the world at Broomhill in Muddiford near Barnstaple. The gardens cover 15 acres of a woodland valley and as well as the beautiful gardens and sculptures to explore there is an indoor art gallery.
At Broomhill you will also be able to eat at the award-winning restaurant Terra Madre; the restaurant has won 5 food awards over the past two years.
Dartington Crystal
Dartington Crystal in Torrington is a factory that has been producing quality handcrafted English crystal and glass products since 1967. They have been selected to work for high-profile organisations over the years such as Sunseeker Yachts, Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Holland & Holland amongst many others. Glass blowing workshops are available, as well as hand casting, glass painting and jewellery making.
Watermouth Castle
On the outskirts of Combe Martin is the Victorian Castle with a theme park, including rides and play areas. It is also surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. Visit the dungeons, meet the gnomes and get lost in the maze at Watermouth Castle. The castle is under a 30 minute drive away from Braunton.
The Big Sheep
Lots of farm-based fun with plenty of animals to meet and several rides to enjoy, as well as a large soft play area, most of which is indoors, so is perfect for all weathers. Some of the animals include ponies, goats, lambs, piglets, puppies, rabbits etc. There are lots of things to see and do at The Big Sheep, such as watching the sheep show, sheep racing with attached woolly jockeys, taking a ride on the train, the twister ride and much, much more. It will take you less than half an hour to get to The Big Sheep from Braunton.
Combe Martin Wildlife And Dinosaur Park
Set in over 28 acres of sub-tropical gardens, just half an hour away from Braunton, is The Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, which has been open to customers for 27 years. The park is home to many animals, such as lions, wolves, exotic birds and many more.
There is also a dinosaur museum, as well as the dinosaur valley and train ride. New to the park is an indoor soft play area for kids to run around and let off some steam. Experiences will cost extra at the park but will be once in a lifetime activity, these include: feeding the lions, sea lion meet and greet, shadow a keeper and swim with sea lions.
