Sorry I haven't been around for a bit. Life is still hectic with mum and family..Hopefully I will ha...
Sorry I haven't been around for a bit. Life is still hectic with mum and family..Hopefully I will have more timesoon
Member since:03.09.2002
Reviews:96
Members who trust:31
Normally I would never read the Sun newspaper, let alone buy a copy, but for a week every year I am waiting at the door for my newsagent to open. I don't want to miss the tokens for my next Sun mini break (4 days for 46.50 including insurance)
But this is not a review for Sun holidays. This is a review of North Devon. The reason I am queuing is that I want to get in my form early so that I am assured that I will get my mini break in Devon and not Skegness or Rhyl.
The Packing:
Make sure that you take clothing suitable for every type of weather. Unfortunately in England you are never sure what will happen. If you are staying in one of the holiday parks check first if they provide bed linen and if so do they charge. If you are travelling by car its easy to take your own. In self catering its a good idea to take a basics box with tea, coffee, sugar, milk, bread, butter and
cheese, so that you can have a quick drink and snack when you arrive. We also include tea towel, washingup sponge,and a small bottle of washing up liquid.
The Journey; In a car it is a very straightforward run from the West Midlands M5 all the way. A30 for North Devon Other A roads lead all over the county. After this as long as you stick to major routes there are no difficulties, but beware of taking scenic routes among the numerous country lanes as there, signposting can be non existant and they can become very very narrow. I am not sure about public transport to get here but once here buses seem to be infrequent and expensive.
Accomodation; Well you pay your money and you take your choice, from basic self catering caravans and chalets to luxury hotels there is something to suit every one. Quiet countryside to frantic non stop entertainment.
Places I recommend: Croyde Bay - Spectacular views, golden sandy beaches and the fun pool at Ruda Holiday camp- What an experience I think we were the only grandmothers shrieking our way down the water slide. Don't miss the rock museum in the village.
Williams Arms at Braunton -Best carvery I have eaten for a long time but be warned even in low season it is very busy. If you are disappointed and there is no room then there is a superb fish and chip shop not far away.
Barnstaple - busy market town with interesting Pannier Market selling everything, theatre, cinema,modern shoppig centre, fascinating museum and loads more.
Westward Ho! - No it's not a wonderful place but it provides a great base for getting out and about in North Devon (Try John Fowlers Holiday Park. Basic Clean Comfortable self catering accomodation.)
Ilfracombe - Perhaps a somewhat faded image, but super tea rooms making tasty crab sandwiches. The theatre is an interesting shape and plenty of entertaining shows (and a bar). The views from the cliffs are superb, but beware of the country lanes on the way out of town avoid them at all costs as they get narrower and narrower.....
Lynton and Lynmouth -The cliff railway is not to be missed followed by a walk down the cliff path (I wouldn't recommend walking up the cliff path.) The museum is well worth a visit bringing vivid images of the awful flood they had. Elegant tea rooms in the village close by an art shop. Roads getting there are a bit steep though.
The Big Sheep - Normally we stay away from the touristy things but this was irrisistable and fascinating the highlight was the sheep racing and feeding the baby lambs. Sunday lunch will never be the same again.
Clovelly - Only for the fit. An unforgettable experience walking down the old cobbled streets which are too steep for cars so pedestrians only. Wonderful old houses shops, pubs, museum flowers. On a sunny day a picture postcard come to life, in the rain slippy cobblestones. When you reach the harbour at the bottom you really appreciate just how steep the path has been. If you are brave you can walk back up but for the faint hearted and weak kneed there is a landrover that takes you up by the back route.
The Gnome Sanctuary- I think that this may be in Cornwall but do try to get there to experience the sheer idiocy of the place
Those are just a few of the places that we have enjoyed. If you have a car and a map it is fun to explore and most attractions are signposted.
I have never been in high season, but I should imagine that the roads would be heavily congested as even off peak the traffic tends to be heavy in towns.
Ihope that you enjoy a short break here as much as we have
***************UPDATE********************** I have just returned from another stay in Devon. We stayed in a pretty village called Thorverton - Unfortunately the accomodation in the Thorverton Arms where we stayed was far from pretty. 3 of us shared the family room all grans together!
*The double bed had stains on the quilt cover which we discovered after the bed had been slept in for a night.
* The bathroom was not very clean. I thought it was just stained but my friend being braver than I ran her finger along to find out.
* The single beds were well past there sell by date. We could feel the springs.
* The breakfast room was awful. The smell of stale cigarette smoke put us off our breakfast.
* The tea and coffe with our breakfast came from a machine similar to the ones that are found in offices. I suppose we could have had soup and hot chocolate as well
****WORST OF ALL*************** Yes there were tea and coffee making facilities in our room, but there was no coffeemate or small cartons of milk. There was MARVEL!! Has anyone ever tried to dissolve this in a cup of coffee. It does not dissolve just leaves a horrid residue in the bottom of the cup.
As the Trorverton Arms is included in the Accomodation guide for South West Devon I thought a warning for fellow ciao ers was needed.
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Really good review,shame about the marvel,its far from marvelous !!
Going to Devon myself soon, looking forward to writing my own review,going to South devon though this year, may book north next year after reading your review !! not the B& B though !!
Writing321 04.10.2005 22:27
Only been to Devon once and must go again..... especially after reading your ever so helpful and well presented review ...... great work Lois
jools61 11.08.2005 18:14
I've visited a lot of the places you mentioned over the years, so found your review very accurate. Sorry to hear about that dreadful place you stayed in - I can't stand MARVEL milk either. That place sounds like a terrible rip-off.
I felt this review was very good because it was based on honest personal opinion, had a touch of humour, and mentioned the good and bad points.
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Jan 30th, 2005
(Jun 16th, 2005)
exceptional by (8%):
very helpful by (92%):
