A few weeks back I was lucky enough to escape to North Devon for seven days with my family. After having two holidays cancelled and maybe a little too much time spent in my kitchen, I had a desperate urge to escape ( as we all must have felt over these crazy few months) and luckily for me, my sister perhaps with a little intuition, booked a cottage in Appledore back in January. So with that I basically gate crashed her holiday and went along for the ride……

We used to go on holiday to Devon a lot growing up, so it was quite lovely to revisit and enjoy the simplicity of a trip to the Devonshire Coast.  A week of long costal walks, swimming in the sea (yes the sea …in England…it was amazing) and visiting some of the most incredible beaches I have ever placed my sandy toes upon.   All the cream teas, fish and chips you can muster.  Crabbing (badly), horse riding,  and little strolls around tiny, tiny albeit steep sea side village.  The brambles, the rolling hills, the warm sun on your back and dips into the sea, quite simply blew away the cob webs, the anxiety and worry of the previous months.  I can be the first to overlook the UK for holidays and always choose Europe or further afield to escape but if the last few months have taught us anything, it is to not take anything for granted, to appreciate what we have and to enjoy the simple things in life, especially Devonshire ice cream, always appreciate ice cream.  The North Devon Coast most definitely helped clarify all this for me, as well as a new perspective for future  holidays and trips…..Appledore you were a little light at the end of a long tunnel.

Appledore

We stayed in Appledore, which is the perfect little quintessential seaside village with all that you would need and more. We booked a house through Airbnb and I would happily stay there again, a perfect base to explore the surrounding areas.  It was idyllic waking up and having breakfast with the view of the sea.  Perfect for morning strolls to pick up a coffee or a fresh juice from John’s Deli, or to catch the last light of the day watching the fisherman, kids swimming and jumping off the side into the water, crabbing and of course Fish and Chips.   Appledore had plenty of eats, a couple of pubs and little shops in the old market.  It most definitely had an ‘olde worlde’ small seaside town feel, winding narrow streets and colourful houses.  With the view over to Instow from the docks,  there was not a part of the day that Appledore wasn’t quite lovely… walking down the cobbled hill towards the water of an evening will be one of my favourite memories of this Summer.

The Beaches of North Devon

North Devon has an array of beautiful, rugged, vast, endless beaches, all different in their own way but all very beautiful with their own characteristics.  We barely scratched the surface but here are a few of my favourites.   I loved Instow for the softest sand and the beautiful sand dunes, I am always happy when I am emerged in a sand dune.  It also has the coolest little beach cafe right at the far end of the beach, The Glorious Oyster behind the sandhills.  Full of gorgeous homemade treats and ice creams, good coffees and even dog ice cream and an amazing sea food collection.  It is probably easily missed as it feels tucked away, so be sure to look out for it if you are in the area.  Saunton Sands was stunning, so vast, rugged and beautiful. Of course amazing sand dunes which if you climb up, perhaps more elegantly than me, the views are rather special.   At the top of the beach is a collection of the most colourful  beach huts, fab waves for body boarding and surfing, a definite must if you are in the area…vast, blustery, salty, rugged, definitely giving you all the best day at the beach feels.   Crodye Bay was the first beach we went to, which also had a really cool surf shop Wes hired boards and wetsuits from, also a lovely little cafe. Although a popular beach still really vast so plenty of room.  A very pretty spot with the rolling hills behind the sand dunes.  A Devonshire beach at its best. On our final day we did a very long, beautiful coastal walk from Putsborough all the way to Croyde Bay, so incredible to view the beaches from above.  Putsborough itself had a stunning beach, although we didn’t spend too long there, just an ice cream and a quick paddle but I highly recommend and will most definitely be venturing back to one day.

Clovelly

We visited Clovelly on a bit of a rainy and grey day, which when I realised the steepness of the cobbled hills I was some what relieved about.  Clovelly is a must, a protected, beautiful, old harbour village, with pretty  seaside houses, with incredible gardens and hanging baskets, little tea rooms, donkeys and a Fishing port at the very bottom of a steep cobbled windy pedestrian street.  Do as we did and enjoy a slow  meander down and take it all in and on your way back up stop for a Cream Tea looking over the water…. jam then cream- obviously!

 

Seven days of interrupted seaside feels….. North Devon you were beautiful!

Pink Dress | & Other Stories

Gingham Shorts | Topshop

Light green knit | & Other Stories

White Shorts | H&M

Floral black Cami Top | Old Free People

Spotty Dress | Faithful The Brand

Black Havaianas | Asos

Thank you for reading x