North Devon itinerary
3 days, 5 days and a full week in North Devon — using Woolacombe as a base, covering the coast, the moors and the inland towns.
Your base
Why Woolacombe works as a North Devon base
Woolacombe sits near the centre of North Devon's coastal arc. From here, Ilfracombe is 20 minutes north, Croyde and Saunton are 20 minutes south, Barnstaple and the Tarka Trail are 30 minutes east, and Exmoor is 50 minutes away. Using Woolacombe as a base keeps driving distances manageable while keeping one of the best Atlantic beaches in England on your doorstep. See the getting here guide for routes and travel times from different starting points.
North Devon has more to see in a short trip than most visitors expect. The geography rewards a well-planned route: a 3-day trip can cover Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Croyde without feeling rushed; a week unlocks Lynton, Clovelly, Exmoor and the Tarka Trail. A car is essential: public transport between North Devon destinations is limited, and the lanes can be slow in peak season.
Short break
3-day North Devon itinerary
Day 1: Woolacombe and the immediate coast
Morning on the main beach; check the surf guide and tide times to pick your window. At low tide the beach is enormous. Afternoon walk to Morte Point from Mortehoe village (45 minutes each way, good views back over the bay) or south to Barricane Beach at the right tide to look for cowrie shells; both routes follow sections of the South West Coast Path. See the North Devon coastal walks guide for further SWCP options and inland alternatives. Evening in Woolacombe village.
Day 2: Ilfracombe and Tunnels Beaches
Drive north to Ilfracombe (20 minutes). Morning at Tunnels Beaches: Victorian-cut tunnels through the cliffs to a tidal pool and sheltered cove. Entry fee applies; worth it for families. Afternoon in Ilfracombe town: harbour, Damien Hirst's Verity statue, fish and chips. If time allows, drive 15 minutes to see the Lynton cliff railway or the Valley of Rocks. See the Ilfracombe things to do guide for more.
Day 3 — Croyde and Saunton
Drive south (20 minutes). Croyde is a compact surf village with a consistent beach break and good wave conditions for intermediate surfers. Morning on Croyde beach; lunch in the village. Afternoon at Saunton Sands — a 3-mile stretch of open sand with big Atlantic views, good for a long walk or watching kite-surfers. Return via Braunton Burrows for a short detour into the sand dune nature reserve. See the Croyde guide for detail.
Longer stay
5-day North Devon itinerary: adding Days 4 and 5
Run the 3-day itinerary above, then add:
Day 4: Lynton, Lynmouth and Watersmeet
Drive to Lynmouth (50 minutes). Morning walk along the Watersmeet gorge: a 2-mile riverside path each way through wooded National Trust land, with a tea room at the junction. The gorge is spectacular after rain. Afternoon: take the Victorian cliff railway up to Lynton, walk along the coastal path to the Valley of Rocks (feral goats, dramatic cliff scenery) and return.
Day 5: Clovelly and Appledore
Drive to Clovelly (45 minutes). The cobbled pedestrian village tumbles steeply down to a small harbour (privately owned, entry fee applies). No cars; donkeys carry goods down the street. Lunch in Clovelly. Afternoon at Appledore: a quayside village at the mouth of the Taw and Torridge estuary, with galleries, independent shops and fish and chips on the water.
Full week
One-week North Devon itinerary: adding Days 6 and 7
Complete the 5-day itinerary above, then add:
Day 6: Barnstaple and the Tarka Trail
Drive to Barnstaple (30 minutes), North Devon's market town. Morning: the covered Pannier Market and Butcher's Row, open most days; the museum; the medieval bridge over the River Taw. Afternoon: a section of the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile cycling and walking route following the Taw and Torridge valleys. Bikes are available to hire in Barnstaple; the trail surface is flat and easy.
Day 7: Heddon Valley and Exmoor
Morning: drive to Hunter's Inn in the Heddon Valley (50 minutes via Parracombe) and walk to Heddon's Mouth beach: 1.5 miles each way down a wooded river gorge to a shingle beach at the base of the cliffs. Good for families who want to feel like they have found somewhere. Afternoon: drive onto Exmoor via the Brendon Valley or up to Dunkery Beacon for open moorland views. Return to Woolacombe via Porlock or Lynton.
Practical planning
Tips for a North Devon road trip
- Allow more time than the map suggests. Devon lanes are narrow, and getting held behind a tractor or a coach at a passing place is common in summer. Add 20 to 30 minutes to any journey over 20 miles.
- Book accommodation early. Woolacombe in July and August fills well in advance. Book as early as possible if visiting in school holidays.
- A car is essential. Public transport between North Devon's main destinations is very limited. There is no practical way to do this itinerary without your own transport.
- Check tide times. A falling tide in the morning gives the longest beach access at Woolacombe. See live tides and use the parking guide before beach-dependent days.
- Arrive early at popular attractions. Tunnels Beaches, Clovelly, Lynmouth and Watersmeet all have limited parking. Aim for before 10am in peak summer.
More to explore
North Devon beyond the itinerary
A week still leaves things unvisited. Bideford is a historic quayside town worth an afternoon: the medieval Long Bridge, the pannier market and the quay make for a pleasant half-day. Lundy Island day trips run seasonally from Ilfracombe; the island has seabird colonies, grey seals and no cars, and the crossing takes around 2 hours each way. Arlington Court (National Trust, near Barnstaple) combines a carriage collection, Victorian house and lake walk if you need a wet-weather option.
For a broader look at what is within reach: day trips from Woolacombe and the North Devon day trips guide cover destinations not covered in this itinerary, with driving times and what to prioritise.