Things to Do in Westward Ho!
Beach days, coast-path walks, easy family cycling, and a proper North Devon larder, all on the doorstep.
A seaside village built for the outdoors
Westward Ho! is the only place name in Britain with an exclamation mark, and it earns it: a huge sandy beach, the two-mile Pebble Ridge, open dunes, and the traffic-free Tarka Trail all meet here. Whether you're chasing surf, walking the dog, or just after a slow day with an ice cream, here's how we'd spend the time, the same tips we give guests at Waves & Walkways.
The beach, the ridge, and the trail
Westward Ho! & Pebble Ridge
A huge Blue Flag beach with reliable surf breaks, rock pools to explore at low tide, and the two-mile natural Pebble Ridge sea defence to walk along. At low tide the sand seems to go on forever.
The Tarka Trail
One of the UK's longest continuous traffic-free paths, following an old railway line. Flat and easy, it's perfect for a gentle family cycle or a longer ride toward Bideford and Barnstaple. See our Tarka Trail cycling guide for bike hire and a ride to the café at Fremington Quay.
Northam Burrows Country Park
Wide open dunes and grassland between the village and the beach: great for dog walks, kite flying, and watching the sun set over the Skern.
Surfing
Board hire and lessons are available right on the beach, so it's an easy place to catch your first wave. See our guide to surfing at Westward Ho!. Prefer two wheels on dirt? There are mountain-biking trails inland too, if you fancy swapping sand for singletrack.
Bideford & Appledore
Two charming harbour towns nearby, both an easy drive or Tarka Trail cycle away, with independent shops, cafes, and fish and chips by the water.
Potter around Westward Ho!
The village itself is made for pottering: a browse of the shops, an ice cream on the front, and a drink looking out over the bay as the tide rolls in.
A few local favourites
All within easy reach in Westward Ho! village.
The Pier House
Beautiful views over the bay. Booking recommended, though there are first-come, first-served tables in the bar area.
Fairway Buoy Pub
Overlooks the beach and serves cakes and drinks. In summer there's an outdoor pizza place too.
Rainy day? You're still sorted
North Devon weather does what it likes, so it pays to have a plan B. A few ideas below, or see our full rainy day guide to North Devon.
Harbour towns & shops
Bideford and Barnstaple have indoor shopping, cafes, and the pannier markets: an easy way to spend a wet morning under cover.
A lazy day in
Back at the house there's a Smart TV, plus books, board games and jigsaws for exactly these days, an afternoon of hot chocolate and a puzzle is no bad thing.
Walk it anyway
A blustery beach walk along Pebble Ridge followed by fish and chips is a North Devon classic, whatever the sky's doing.
More beaches worth the drive
When you fancy a change of sand, North Devon's coast rewards a little exploring.
Peppercombe Beach
A peaceful pebble cove tucked beneath dramatic cliffs, with a charming waterfall and an old lime kiln just above the beach.
Instow Beach
Golden sand and gentle waters looking across the estuary to Appledore, great for families.
Croyde Beach
Famous for powerful waves and some of the best surf conditions in North Devon.
Saunton Sands
Expansive golden sands backed by dunes, with views over the Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve.
Woolacombe Beach
One of North Devon's most popular beaches: a vast sandy expanse with clear blue water.
Clovelly
A small pebble-and-sand beach at the foot of the impossibly picturesque, steep, cobbled village of Clovelly.
Driving down to the beach end? See our guide to free parking in Westward Ho!. For the full picture of the area, visit our location guide.
Staying a few days?
Make Waves & Walkways your base for all of it. Check our live availability and book direct.
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