Hi all, i am still here, just have been very busy with work and with the children on school hols hav...
Hi all, i am still here, just have been very busy with work and with the children on school hols havnt had much chance to sit and read, but will do in the next week.
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Croyde is a place I have been visiting for the whole of my life. As a child myself and my family have always gone there for holidays. As a child before we ventured abroad sometimes we used to visit twice a year once for a week at Easter and then for 2 weeks during our summer holidays.
Even as the years have passed I have returned there every now and then just to see if it is still the same and to my relief it is, a lot busier but pretty much remains the same.
The village itself is quiet small but very picturesque with plenty of thatched cottages and many of the buildings that still remain here date back to the 17th century, and most of the cottages are very well kept and from spring to summer flowers are in bloom which makes it look really pretty.
There are a few shops within the village where you can buy gifts from and there is a Cornish bakery and a traditional ice-cream shop which offers all sorts of flavours. There are a few pubs here that offer lovely fresh food and very friendly service and there are lots of B& B's dotted around through the village where prices do vary but can get them for about £25.00 per person per night. I think the main attraction here now is the surfing
which in my view has taken over a little bit. There are an awful lot of the shops that have been converted into surf shops, which sell everything you need for surfing were you can either buy from or rent wetsuits and surf boards. hiring a board and wet suit for 24hrs is about £18.00 There is also a surf school where if you wish they will teach you how to surf. Prices start from about £35.00 for an adult and £25.00 for children for about 2 1/2 hours.
Croyde is now one of the best destinations in north Devon for surfing and during the summer months the beach is very busy with surfers but with a great age variety, even small children can be seen in the little wet suits and body boards.
~Campsites~
There are about 10 campsites around croyde some are only open for a few months of the year and are aimed for the surfers others are very family orientated the main one is called Ruda Holiday Park which is where we used to stay when I was a child. It has changed quite a bit since we used to go but still remains the favourite for many families and they return year after year like we used to.
When we were there years ago it was quite basic, you had your club house for entertainment and a few shops and a game room but that was about it, but now you have allsorts which include a tropical pool which has a flume, tenniscourts and a putting green, they also do mountain biking and offer surfing lessons. The offer different aged children's clubs to keep the kids busy, overall a great family place to stay. You can either camp here or hire a static caravan which I know are all very well equipped, and lodges. Ruda has a website which tells you all about it, what is has to offer and the prices.
~The beach~
The beach at croyde it quiet sheltered by large cliffs either side. It has fairly large sand dunes at the top of the top which I know from personal experience are great fun. At the top of the beach the sand is very soft and then about a third of the way down it turns into singles which can be a bit painful on your feet but passed that when the tide is out it tuned back to sand. To the middle of the beach this is were you tend to get all the surfers but to the right hand side of the beach it is all rocks which is absolute great fun for finding rock pools the kids love it. Croyde has a blue flag award which means a good safe clean beach, and is safe for swimmers within the zones. There are life guards on Duty between May and September. Dogs are allowed on the beach but between May and September they are banned due to the beach being very busy. Dog litter bins are dotted around the beach if they are needed. I took my dog on the beach for the first time here and she absolutely loved it. There are a few small shops at the top of the beach along with public toilets but again in the summer can get very busy. There is a lost child centre and a first-aid post situated at the shops. Overall an excellent and well equipped beach for the whole family.
~Parking~
There are a few car parks that are adequate for most of the year but during the summer months it does get very busy and trying to find some where to park can be a bit of a night mare. Parking is about £2.50 for the day which is very cheap in my opinion.
~Walks~
Baggy point must be the best walk around; you can access it from just passed croyde beach. I must admit it a wonderful walk with spectacular views. You can either walk up to the point and back again or you can continue all the way around to Woolacombe It is a steady walk up to the point with heather growing on either side. There are sometimes sheep roaming round on the slopes. At the start of the walk the are bones from an old whale that was washed up on croyde beach years and years ago and over the years since I have been going the bones have become less and less but nether the less some still remain. All along Baggy point you see the stunning views of Lundy Island which is situated a few miles off land. You can a get a boat from Woolacombe or Ifracombe to the island itself which takes about ½ hour to get there. Baggy point is a very special place for all our family as my dad had always said before he died this is where is wanted his ashes scattered as it was always the families favourite place, so we carried out his wishes and this is were his ashes are scattered. Also at Baggy Point you can do rock climbing and it is fascinating to watch them. Information on how to rock climb can be found at local rock climbing clubs. If you're interesting in bird watching this is also a very good site for sightings. Overall this walk has beautiful stunning views.
Croyde has also been a family place and as a child I loved it and I hope my children will do to.
~Transport~
The nearest train station is in Barnstaple but there are regular bus services to and from Croyde.
Getting there - Exit the M5 at junction 27 and just follow the A361 to Braunton, I have found this the easiest way as it is very straight forward. From Braunton follow the signs for Croyde.
I love Croyde for the climbing at Baggy Point (Kinky Boots - the only climb where you have to "fall over" at the start!) and as you point out, it's very civilised with plenty of pubs and camp sites for apres-climbing! We usually stay at the (cheapest) one at the end of the road leading to the big Ruda one. Personally, I think it's great that surfing has "taken over", as you put it, because it brings in so much money to an otherwise, frankly, poor area. Try visiting in the winter...
allmodcons 14.05.2007 23:54
Love Croyde - however took the kids there twice in school holidays and suffered foul weather. Still there's plenty to do elsewhere if you have the car. Beautiful place all the same.
RICHADA 18.04.2007 13:59
Wow that took me back....my grandmother retired to Ilfracombe many years ago! Richard.
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Advantages: Great fun, great exercise, Croyde is a good break, and a very nice summer resort to visit Disadvantages: Can be dangerous if you are unfit, or unprepared
Chris_Padden 28.10.2001 ·
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Apr 11th, 2007
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