Barnstaple isn`t too bad regarding shopping, the worst thing about the plac e that we found, when staying at Combe Martin, was that almost everywhere we went we had to go through Barnstaple, and the traffic snarl ups were awful. Westward Ho! is nice if you have young children, with 3 miles of lovely beach, Clovelly if you`re feeling energetic, that street is extremely steep! There`s Hartland Point for the lighthouse, and if you feel like travelling to Combe Martin, where we stayed, just outside there`s a wildlife park with electronic dinosaurs that`s well worth a visit. Oh yes, and Ilfracombe is quite a nice traditional seaside town, nice harbour area. Not too sure about mileage distances, I just sat back whilst hubby drove us there! Enjoy!! Oh, if you like markets, there used to be one twice weekly on a cliff top near Woolacombe, I presume it`s still there. I keep remembering places, Mortehoe is very nice, quaint, lovely views from Morte Point.

Why not hop on a train and visit Exeter?

ATB,J.

Thanks very much to both of you

We love that area and kept a caravan near there for several years. There are some fabulous beaches such as Croyde, Puttsborough sands and Saunton sands. There are some nice pubs in the area

Not sure if it still exists as it's a very long time since I've been to the Barnstaple area but the Friday Pannier Market was brilliant. I still have the natural willow basket I bought there some decades ago as a teenager for use on Home Ec days at school.

Also, if you've read Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson it's possible to visit all the locations mentioned in the book such as Hartland Point because they are within easy distance.

SM

Ooh just thought, you can cycle the Tarka Trail and bike hire is from Barnstaple railway station. It was a lovely day out.

No one has suggested Bideford? I am surprised.

Re traffic in Barnstaple. Why? It has a very good bypass and traffic shouldn't have to go into town unless people go there for a specific reason.

traffic in Barnstaple. Why?

my 50p is on them following SatNav. I'm not familiar with the area (other than James May's model railway exploits) but I've just done some queries in Google mapping - which uses similar software to Satnav - and routes that you'd hope went over the bypass got sent through town.

Harriers9, how long has the bypass been there? I`m a non driver, I just sit and let hubby drive, and kept hearing him moan about the traffic every time we went through Barnstaple, this was in 2003. If the bypass has been there longer than that, then I apologize, blame my hubby! And I didn`t mention Bideford because we haven`t been there, unfortunately.

Braunton is a nice little place too with an award winning fish and chip shop. It too has a cycle hire place for the Tarka Trail.

You could have a run down to the Eden Project, about a couple of hours away. We did it from Crode Bay, just before Christmas and had no trouble. (The trick being, NO EMMETS!). If you go mid-week, it shouldn't be much of a problem.

A run down the A39 to Clovelly could be fun, but I've never paid to get into a town before.

Bypass has been open about 3 years now, lots of good ideas given so far, I will add a walk to baggy point from Croyde is good also Exmoor & Lynton and lynmouth. If you like National trust Properties Arlington Court is interesting with its carriage collection. If you go to Clovelly ( recommended) and you do rugged scenery go on to Hartland Point and Quay

I`d forgotten about Lynton and Lynmouth, particularly Lynmouth, very pretty, but with a tragic history of flooding back in the 50s. The cliff railway ride is worth doing, up to Lynton, but Lynton itself we found rather unremarkable.
Thank goodness I`ve been exonerated regarding the Barnstaple traffic, obviously the bypass wasn`t there when we were.

WARNING!!!

Watch out for the cops with radar! They hang out in the most unlikely spots around there. I didn't get caught, but it was close.

That is a very good warning. The A361 from the Tiverton rounderbout to Barnstable is a 60 mph speed limit and they do inforce it

Thanks for all the answers - arrived yesterday so re-reading the suggestions now.
Visited Ilfracombe & Woolacombe today, making the most of the sun. Both very nice places, loved the huge beach at Woolacombe, many families there.

I was at Westward ho yesterday and if you like big beaches that could be added to the list, also Instow for a small break, enjoy the sun

I remember Westward Ho! from a holiday in 1970. Our 3 year old daughter was suddenly not there, then I spotted her, this tiny little figure in a pink bikini, running in the complete opposite direction from us, along the 3 mile stretch of beach, took me ages to catch up with her! So yes, there is a very big beach at Westward Ho!! Hope the trip to Barnstaple is enjoyable.