Famed for its rolling surf, beautiful sandy beach and unspoilt village, Croyde is a charming seaside village on Devon’s rugged North coast. Surfers flock to the beautiful bay in the summer and families enjoy playing in the waves and exploring the rock pools along the shore.
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Croyde cottage holidays are all about embracing beach life and spending endless hours at one with the waves.
Croyde Bay has it all. Its west-facing bay attracts the surf brigade throughout the year who create a vibrant atmosphere during the summer months that’s hard to beat. There are plenty of surf schools on hand too for beginners and families looking for a fun-filled day out. You can explore the rugged coast further by hiring kayaks and paddle boards, or if you’re after an adrenaline-fueled afternoon, coasteering is a must!
This dreamy coastal spot is not only incredibly well placed on the North Devon coast to experience some of the county’s best scenery, but is also something of a surfing hot spot, with hosts of wave-riders making their way to its golden sands every month.
But Croyde isn’t just about surfing. The South West Coast Path runs right through its centre making it a real treat for anyone who loves the outdoors, with cliff-top walks offering panoramic views of the rugged coastline. Baggy Point, Croyde’s landmark headland, lies nearby, and is a favourite spot for hikers and nature lovers alike.
The quaint village is full of traditional thatched cottages, with gardens that burst into colour when spring arrives. For such a small place, there’s a terrific selection of pubs which are perfect for refuelling in after a day of surfing or exploring the coastal paths. Two of our favourites are The Thatch and The Manor House Inn. Both serve deliciously hearty plates including pub classics and modern dishes as well as a good selection of ales.
The busier seasons see Croyde buzz with tourists and holidaymakers. The village comes alive with beach gigs and street food vans but even in the quieter months, it still maintains its charm, most likely due to its real community spirit. Locals offer a thoroughly warm welcome and seem always ready to share a friendly smile or their recommendations for places to eat and things to see and do.
As with many popular beaches in Devon and Cornwall, Croyde Beach does have restrictions for dogs during the busy school holiday months which means dogs are allowed between 1st November and 31st April. The good news is that during the restricted months there are many lovely coastal walks to enjoy with your hounds including the circular walks around Baggy Point and Saunton Down.
This is a question with no right or wrong answer. Both beaches are absolutely fantastic. Both have excellent bathing water quality, along with excellent waves if you love to surf. Both have plenty of sand to enjoy, however Woolacombe is a much longer stretch whereas Croyde, though spacious is tucked between two headlands and arguably slightly more sheltered. Both have beautiful scenery and rockpools – they’re also really close to one another in distance so you can actually enjoy either one when on holiday in the area.
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