Surf’s worth the extra miles

Dec 13 2009 by Katy Simpson, Sunday Sun

IT is tucked away in the furthest corner of the country, and is almost a seven-hour drive away. KATY SIMPSON finds out whether a trip to North Devon is worth the journey.

Although it lacked the sea views boasted by other accommodation in the area, you could not beat Little Clarendon for comfort, practicality and handy location, within walking distance of Braunton’s shops and restaurants.

We spent our first day at Saunton, followed by a well-deserved drink at the fairytale Thatch Pub in Croyde, a popular local haunt with hearty meals and a homely atmosphere. The next day we decided to return to Croyde to test the waves at the smaller bay which is sheltered by chocolate-box fields dotted with traditional thatched-roof houses.

This was followed by an evening at another quaint, historic pub, The Rock, which is tucked away in the tiny nearby village of Georgeham, once the home of Henry Williamson, author of Tarka the Otter.

Sadly, the last of our three full days was flat calm and so we decided to join the region’s army of walkers and follow the mile-long National Trust trail to Baggy Point, high above Croyde.

Perched on the cliff edge with unforgettable views surrounding us on all sides, Baggy Point certainly inspired in us a sense of being right at the edge of the earth.

After our picturesque walk, we checked out Woolacombe’s glorious three miles of beach, and promised ourselves we would one day return to complete our surfing hat-trick of all three spots.

As we left, we had no doubt in our mind that our holiday in North Devon was more than just a change of scenery.

While the beaches took our breath away, and the surfing was first-class, it was also the friendly people and the relaxed atmosphere of North Devon which made it so special.

It was a remote and isolated paradise which literally felt a million miles from reality.

5 things to do

1 - ENJOY a day out at Southdown Adventure near Barnstaple. Choose from quad bike racing, MadTrax karting or clay pigeon shooting for action-packed fun.

2 - THE Lakes of North Devon & Exmoor offer fun on and off the water. At South West Lakes Trust learn a watersport, hire a rowing boat, fish or enjoy a walk in the countryside.

3 - SKERN LODGE Outdoor Activity Centre offers surfing, canoeing, high ropes, tunnels, powerboat, zip wire, assault course, abseil, climb and more. Daily or residential.

4 - LUNDY ISLAND and Marine Nature Reserve is a granite outcrop, three and a half miles long and half a mile wide. In the hubbub of the modern world it is a place apart, peaceful and unspoilt.

5 - CLOVELLY VILLAGE is a unique, historic fishing village. There is no traffic on its cobbled street, which winds its way down a 400ft cliff between carefully preserved, flower-festooned cottages, to a tiny, working 14th-century port.

NORTH DEVON FACTFILE:

:: A WEEK at Little Clarendon, which sleeps four, costs between £220 and £540. For more information, call Julie Jarvis on 01271 815098, or check out the website at www.little-clarendon.co.uk. To request a brochure of accommodation and activities in the area, head to the North Devon website at www.northdevon.com. To try your hand at surfing, book a lesson from £25 with Surf South West, by calling 01271 890400.