Child's Play

Judi Yorke and Adrian Monti spent a week exploring North Devon
with sons Kit, 7 and Rory, 6

We’d spent the morning surfing and now, as the sun finally began to set in the cloudless sky, we were sitting on a beautiful beach eating Sri Lankan curry from a tiny beach cafe. But we hadn’t had to squash into an aeroplane to get here – we were just a few hours’ drive from home in idyllic North Devon.

We divided our week between the seaside village of Westward Ho! and Woolacombe, a bigger resort with surfing shops and greater choice of eateries. The expansive sandy beach is world-renowned - clean and safe with excellent waves for surfing and bodyboarding. We booked sessions at the all weather surfing simulator the Woolacombe Wave based at the Golden Coast Holiday Village (open to non-residents). Sessions with a friendly instructor last an hour.

On cloudier days we headed to The Milky Way with it's indoor play area, dodgems and big arena where the kids tried golf, shooting and archery. Nearby, The Big Sheep has rides and animals including sheep racing and horse whispering. The next day we headed to quirky Watermouth Castle, a cross between a museum and a theme park, playing the penny slot machines, peeking at the dungeons and enjoying gentle rides. As we headed home with golden sand in our car, we were already planning our return.

Kids’ top five North Devon highlights

Surfing lesson at Woolacombe Wave

Archery lesson at the Milky Way

Splash Zone at The Big Sheep

Big River Ride at Watermouth Castle

The sand dunes at Woolacombe Beach