Kate W
31 October 2018
On the rugged North Devon Coast, you’ll discover this popular resort where the beach is by far its biggest attraction, complete with amusements, go-karts and a surf school. Restaurants and fish & chip shops line the waterfront of Westward Ho! beach while down the coast you can uncover quieter sand dunes, salt marshes and meet the wild ponies that live there.
Skip to section:
About
The beach
Northam Burrows Country Park
Attractions
Accommodation
Food and drink
The surfing
South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail
About the town:
A quiet coastal town on the Torridge-Taw Estuary with a few delightful restaurants, pubs and souvenir shops, Westward Ho! provides an excellent holiday retreat. Uniquely, this town is the only place in Britain to have been named after a book (an adventure novel by Charles Kingsley) and the only town in Britain whose name ends with an exclamation mark. A special place for your holiday!
The beach:
Westward Ho! is best known for its excellent beach, a flat wide expanse of sand is on offer when the tide is out and makes a great place for a game of volleyball or rounders. It’s backed by a pebble ridge which is a good place to sit if you’d rather avoid getting sandy. Here the view extends for miles in either direction and you can shape a nest out of the pebbles to create a windbreak - you might even find a spot where it has already been built for you! Once the tide draws in, spend time on the promenade playing in the amusements, dining at The Pier House and gazing over the fantastic expanse of Atlantic Ocean while savouring an ice cream.
Northam Burrows Country Park:
A walk along the coast to the beach next door will bring you to Northam Burrows, a Site of Special Scientific Interest with a salt marsh, sand dunes and grasslands. Friendly ponies and sheep graze freely here, so why not say hello?
The attractions:
Penny slot machines, grabbers and a couple of mini bowling lanes can be found in the arcades. There are outside amusements and a tidal pool for entertaining young children while Pebble Ridge Adventure Golf & Go Karts is a great choice if you’re feeling competitive. If you are looking to entertain little ones then further afield you’ll find The Big Sheep, a family-friendly day out. Part of the Northam Burrows Country Park is shared with the Royal North Devon Golf Club so you are welcome to putt a few rounds beside the sea.
The accommodation:
The beautiful Nautilus Sea View apartment
When staying beside the sea it’s important you find somewhere to stay with an incredible view of the ocean. That’s why you’d be well-placed to holiday at any of our waterfront apartments close to restaurants and attractions while overlooking the beach. Take a look at Nautilus Sea View, Atlantic Spray, Nautilus Pebble End and others in the same complex. We have plenty of properties in our collection that are right by the seaside, as well as more secluded luxury holiday homes set elsewhere in Westward Ho! that are still within walking distance from the beach.
The food and drink:
Fish & chips is a seaside holiday staple with plenty of fryers on offer throughout town. There’s also a great choice of restaurants on the waterfront and the wider local area too. For a spectacular view across the ocean, sit on the terrace at The Pier House or Beach Bar Diner, while you could drive inland to The Pig on the Hill for your Sunday roast or enjoy some pub grub at The Village Inn.
The surfing:
This beach is a great spot for water sports, you’ll often see novice surfers braving the waves with North Devon Surf School. Book yourself in for a session in the Westwood Ho! waters. North Devon is already renowned for being one of the top places in the UK for learning to surf and Westward Ho! may be among the best in the area. Saunton Sands, another excellent surfing spot, is just 20 miles away and worth a visit for those that love the sport.
The South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail:
Running through the town is the South West Coast Path, if you are looking to stretch your legs then a relatively easy route will take you along an old railway track and around the foot of the cliffs above Westward Ho! Ensure you have your camera with you to make the most of the spectacular sight across the town and beach. You can continue south along the coast and follow a challenging 12-mile walk to Clovelly, a must-visit for anyone in North Devon. Known for its steep cobbled main street, Clovelly is a true treasure trove of quirky shopping, museums and cafes.
For cyclists, the popular Tarka Trail runs through nearby Bideford and is a great way to explore the gorgeous countryside. Pack a picnic and get going!
Inspired to take a holiday to this wonderful North Devon resort. Browse our fantastic range of accommodation in Westward Ho! to discover your perfect seaside getaway.
Discover more of Devon:
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.