Last of the Summer...

 Last week, what seems to the last of the summer weather visited North Devon, and we took this cracking shot of the beach at sunset. Although the weather is definitely on the turn, the sea is actually at its warmest this time of year - making it a fantastic time for a surf. 

Looking ahead to 2013 we've also been passed details of the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival which takes place from the 26th April - 5th May. Starting only a couples of miles away in Ilfracombe the walking festival carries on along the stunning Exmoor coast, taking in Lynton and Lynmouth, Porlock and Dunster along the way. For more details about the festival (or to have a look and plan some fantastic walks around here - have a look at the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festivals website. 

The 'A' Word: Autumn

Its just been announced that the country has had its wettest summer in 100 years, Mind you, that still hasn't deterred guests who have flocked to Woolacombe sands to enjoy the surf and fantastic scenery as the beach has been packed over the last few weeks. Just have a look at these shots from the Daily Mail to see what I mean.

With the nights now beginning to draw in the 'A' word is now being mentioned more and more: Autumn. Even though the nights are drawing in and leaves beginning to fall, Autumn still a fantastic time to come down and visit Woolacombe - because:

 - There's nothing like a bracing walk around Morte Point to blow away the cobwebs! The beautiful stretch of National Trust land offers some spectacular views out towards Lundy Island, and watching the surf smash against the rocks is always exhilarating. Routes of walks around Morte Point are here:

- The start of November sees the 'Big Draw on the Beach' hosted by the National Trust. It's a free family event and is part of the National Trust Big Draw Campaign, so is a perfect way to spend the day with the kids.

 -If the weather isn't so good, (or the surf is flat) -  head over to Braunton to explore the new Museum of British Surfing, which has a fantastic array of all things 'surf ' and makes for a brilliant way to spend a hour or so. Afterwards, the village has a great selection of individual shops and plenty of café's to explore. 

We've still got a few weeks free throughout the Autumn, so have a look at our availability page to see when you'd like to come down, and for more events in and around Woolacombe keep an eye on the Woolacombe Tourism Website. 

Woolacombe Sand Castle Competition

This July sees Woolacombe gearing up for the annual Sandcastle Competition which this year is on Sunday 8th July. 8000 people will be coming to see the fantastic sand sculptures are all being created to raise money for the North Devon Hospice. With a Samba bank and a carnival atmosphere there will be live music and lots of fun for the whole family.

For more details (or to register your team!) have a look at www.sandcastle.org.uk

Jubilee Weekend

With only a few days to go until the Queen's diamond Jubilee there is a whole host of events being planned in Woolacombe and Morthoe for the Jubilee weekend. We've prepared an extra special welcome pack for our guests staying at Devon Beach Court over the bank holiday weekend so we hope they like it!

Spring in North Devon

Spring is now in fully underway here in North Devon, and with the holiday season now getting underway, there is so much to see and do here.


Many of the fields which you pass around Woolacombe are now full of the sounds of lambs bleating as they make their way into the world - you might even see some of them springing. You can often see them at Morte Point which is only a short walk away.

As well as the animals, the beautiful flowers at Marwood Hill Gardens are blooming. We took this shot of the spectacular maganolia trees they have there - it really makes it feel as though summer is almost on its way!

The nearby village of Braunton also saw the launch of the new Museum of British Surfing last week. Their first permanent exhibition 'The Art of Surf' is well worth a look around. We visited last week and apparently surfing in Britain dates back to 1890 when two Hawaiian princes took to the waves off the West Yorkshire coast. The museum has a brilliant selection boards and surf memorabilia which will almost certainly get you in the mood to hit the waves back in Woolacombe where there are a variety of shops close by where you can rent everything you need.

If all the things that are happening down here are wetting your appietite for a holiday then you'll be pleased to know that we have a 10% discount for anyone who wants to come down during May. Have a look here to pick when you want to come and stay.

Woolacombe Beach - One of the Best in the UK

It's a good time for beach and surf fans at the moment. Our beach at Woolacombe has just been voted No. 3 in the top 10 Best Beaches in the UK, only behind Bournemouth and St Brelade near Jersey.

With it's miles of golden sands it's one of the best family friendly beaches in the area, and is a haven for surfers looking to catch the waves. Our apartment is only a short walk down to Woolacombe Sands, and has some fantastic views onto the beach and out into the Atlantic from the shared balcony.

UK surfers will also be pleased to know that the new Museum of British Surfing is opening on the 6th of April in the nearby village of Braunton. The museum is the only establishment dedicated to surfing in the whole of Europe, and with a variety of events and exhibitions planned throughout the year,  it looks like it will be a fantastic day out for people coming down to stay in North Devon.

Early Spring Walks

Woolacombe Beach looking towards Baggy Point on a Spring day.

The spring feels like its nearly upon us down here in Woolacombe. With the fresh air blowing in off the Atlantic it's the perfect time to wrap up warm and head for out for a long walk to explore some of the stunning scenery around here. One of our favourite walks is simply along Woolacombe Sands to Putsborough. With three miles of golden sand it's a brilliant way to spend a long afternoon strolling along watching the surfers braving the waves. At Putsborough is a brilliant little indoor cafe which sell plenty of hot food and drinks to enjoy before making the journey back.

Alternatively for something more challenging, Devon Beach Court sits right on the South West Coast Path. From here you can head up and around Morthoe Point which offers some fantastic views out across to Lundy Island and Wales. From here you can follow the walking route right along to Minehead, or head westwards to explore the beautiful Taw Estuary, home of Tarka the Otter.

The apartment is open for week long bookings as well as short breaks away during certain dates in the Spring , so to see when you could come down and stay have a look at our availability calendar. If you're feeling particularly keen to get your walking shoes on have a look at the South West Coast Path website where you can plan your route.