Discover
Westward Ho!
With local attractions both in and around Westward Ho! we know you'll find something for the entire family... below are some of our suggestions for things to do during your stay.
Dining
Where to Eat?
Tea on the Green, located just off the village green serves quintessential afternoon tea, cream teas, light lunches and possibly the best cakes in the world!
The Guillemot Bar & Restaurant, on the edge of the village green, serves a variety of creative cuisines. A great atmosphere with regular live music events.
A Slice of Life Café, located on the entrance to the main beach where you can get a cooked breakfast, light snacks, coffee & tea, cakes and pastries to either eat in or takeaway.
The Pier House, with sea views and a decked terrace.
Morans Restaurant & Bar, serving Thai cuisine and traditional English dishes.
Country Cousins serving traditional English food and carvery roasts.
The Waterfront Inn has a kids play area and a beer garden.
The Pig on the Hill is a contemporary hilltop gastropub serving real ales and has a vintage games room and garden.
Ocean 51, serving a wide range of foods to suit everyone’s tastes.
Rock Pool Café, serving fabulous breakfasts and light lunches.
Cabana, just above the slipway to the beach, serving a wide range of wraps, sandwiches and flatbreads. Plastic free with an outstanding veggie and vegan menu!
The Pig & Olive – pizza takeaway just above the pebble ridge (the also deliver to Westbeach).
Elsewhere in North Devon:
For an outdoor dining experience go to Barricane Beach in Woolacombe. You can enjoy a Sri Lankan curry on the beach whilst watching the sunset.
Pubs with play areas for kids include Billy Budds and The Manor in Croyde.
The Williams Arms in Braunton is great for a Sunday carvery.
Squires Fish & Chips in Braunton is also well worth a visit!
Enjoy what Westward Ho has to offer.
What's recommended by our team:
If you are looking to indulge your sweet tooth, Tea on the Green is the place for you – the cake section is out of this world! For a great breakfast we recommend The Rockpool Café. If you're looking for a more romantic setting we would recommend Morans (over 14s only in the evening) not only doe sit have a great ambient atmosphere, but the food is also delicious and the cocktail menu the best around. For something a bit different we would recommend the Pig & Olive pizza takeaway – they also deliver to Westbeach which is great after a long day on the beach however, there’s nothing quite like a Pig & Olive pizza sat on the rocks watching the sunset.
Activities
Beaches/Surfing.
Westward Ho! Beach is one of the safest beaches in Devon. Lifeguards patrol the beach from May through to September making it a perfect place to learn to surf. If you want to learn to surf here is where you can try: Surf SUP Academy, based in Kitemare Surf & Kite shop on the village green. North Devon Surf School, based on Pebbleridge Road behind Northam Burrows. Surf and Swim School, based in the centre of the village who also offer wild swimming lessons.
Westward Ho! Is situated between Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough & Woolacombe on one side and Sandymouth, Bude & Widemouth Bay on the other. Many of these beaches are within a 30 minute drive.
The beach in Westward Ho! Is one of the prime kite flying beaches in the UK. There is a specialist kite shop right next to the beach, Kitemare, surf and kite shop, where you will find a great selection of kites and the staff will be able to help and give you advice.
Other beaches to visit are Saunton Sands, Croyde, Woolacombe and Putsborough.
If you love Beaches/Surfing, you'll love North Devon.
What's recommended by our team:
Surfing is part of the lifestyle here in North Devon – the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that comes from riding the waves is something everyone should try at least once.
Westward Ho! is also in the North Devon Surfing Reserve which covers a world-class surf zone encompassing approximately 30-km of coastline.
If surfing just isn’t your cup of tea, there are so many other ways to enjoy our beautiful beach and ocean all under the watchful eyes of our RNLI lifeguards (please check operational dates).
Activities
Walking.
Take a walk along the South West Coastpath, accessed as you are heading out of the village, past The Pier House around Seafield House. A perfect walk for the whole family with benches along the route if you need a rest or take in the scenery. The walk borders both the countryside and coast making it perfect to spot an abundance of wildlife. If you follow the path for roughly a mile you come to Cornbrough Cliffs where you can access the beach. It’s a pebble and rocky beach making it perfect for rock pooling.
Kipling Tors and the look out walk is a perfect walk if you want to see Westward Ho! Plus the surrounding area from an elevated perspective. This walk takes you to the top of the Tors which surround Westward Ho! And then back down to Seafield Field. You will be able to take in the views of most of Westward Ho!, across to Appledore and the estuary, Baggy Point, Hartland Point and across to Lundy Island.
Other places to walk are Hunters Inn, Watersmeet, Valley of the Rocks and Baggy point.
Breathtaking views, stunning scenery.
What's recommended by our team:
Hiking opportunities are endless here in North Devon, from the rolling moorland of Exmoor to the miles of Tarka Trail. Whatever your hiking abilities there is something to suite everyone and the scenery will never disappoint!
Pooch Friendly
Dog Walks.
Saunton Sands is a great place to take your four legged friend to experience the beach. With access for dogs 365 days a year.
Putsborough Beach also allow dogs except for the far left of the beach from easter until 1st November.
Other local dog friendly beaches are:
- Watermouth
- Hele Bay
- Lee Bay
- Crow Point
- Rockham
- Morthoe
- Lynmouth
We love our four legged friends... here's some walks.
What's recommended by our team:
Westbeach is proud to be dog friendly, and we know dogs – they love walking, running and jumping in the sea. All the coastal paths from Westbeach Holiday Apartments are dog friendly and part of our wonderful beach is all year round.
Don’t forget we are right on the Tarka Trail too which makes us an ideal location for a stroll with your four legged friend.
Activities
Bike Rides.
The Tarka Trail is a safe cycle path with stunning estuary views. As an added bonus, there are plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the journey.
It’s one of the country's longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths making it ideal for families or less experienced cyclists. The Tarka Trail makes use of disused railway tracks to take you into the beautiful countryside of North Devon.
Two wheeled adventures start here.
What's recommended by our team:
Of course for cycling we have to recommend the Tarka Trail, the views are simply breathtaking and well worth the experience whether you're an avid cyclist or simply want to enjoy something a little different for the day. The views are breathtaking and the various options for refreshments along the router make it perfect for a steady cycle.
If you're not bringing a pushbike with you, there's some brilliant cycle hire company companies around us who would be more than happy to help: Waterside Bike Hire, Barnstaple - Instow Bike Hire, Instow - Tidal & Trail, Bideford.
Family Activities
Fun for all the Family.
The rock Seawater pool in Westward Ho! Is well worth a visit and is completely free! It is very popular in the summer and is situated within the rock pools.
Rock pooling in Westward Ho! Is a great family activity and a perfect way to get kids engaged in nature. The rock pools in Westward Ho! Are easily accessed and are teeming with life! The rock pools can be found around the sea water swimming pool off the promenade.
Try bowling in the Carousel Centre. You will find a mix of bar bowls and 10 pin bowling. Located at the entrance to Westward Ho! Beach. There is also an arcade with lots of slot machines, pusher machines and games.
Along with the Carousel Centre there are also other amusement arcades to choose from to escape the rain or maybe to get out of the sun for a while. Ho!barts on the prom, The Quarter Deck behind The Waterfront Inn and The Purple Penny underneath The Pier House are other options to try.
The Ho!deon is a pop up cinema based in Kingsley Hall in the centre of the village. Showing films every Tuesday evening.
Pebble Ridge Adventure Golf and Go Karts.
The Ulitmate Adventure Centre offers a comprehensive range of outdoor activities including ultimate assault course, surf school, coasteering, mountain boarding, high ropes, climbing walls, kayaking, archery & SUP.
The Big Sheep is an all weather day out that is fun for all the family. It is home to North Devon’s most popular and largest rollercoaster. Outdoor and indoor play.
North Devon Wake Park
The Milky Way
Hours of fun for all the family.
What's recommended by our team:
If you're into swimming, Westward Ho's very own rock pool is a great summer attraction... it's also a fantastic way to cool off in the summer sunshine!
If you're a thrill seeker, we recommend a trip to The Big Sheet which is situated not far from Westbeach Holiday Apartments - featuring North Devon's largest rollercoaster, it's a great day out. Not to mention there are also indoor play facilities for those cold weather days too.
History
Historic Places to Visit.
Lundy Island, located off the coast of North Devon and is famed for its marine reserve. On the island you will find a lovely local pub and a well stocked shop. You will not find a phone signal, Wi-Fi or a TV! The perfect place to escape and enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife and explore the history of this amazing island.
Northam Burrows Country Park
Historic places, we've got some truly incredible suggestions.
What's recommended by our team:
We have no hesitation in recommending a trip to Lundy Island, it's a true blessing to be able to unwind with zero phone signal and Wi-Fi... take a break from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and enjoy some time on North Devon's Marine Reserve. There's a well stocked shop and also a country pub too to enjoy whilst you're visiting!
Sports
Golf.
Home to the Royal North Devon Golf club, Westward Ho! Makes an ideal place to visit for a round of golf. It is the oldest golf club in England and Wales and is said to be the cradle of English Golf. It is placed in golf worlds top 100 courses in the world that a golfer must play.
Elsewhere in North Devon:
Saunton Golf Club is a private golf club with 36 holes in the heart of North Devon with beautiful scenery.
Portmore Golf Club is located on the outskirts of Barnstaple. Open to both members and non-members alike.
Fancy testing your handicap with courses in idyllic settings.
What's recommended by our team:
We couldn't possibly recommend anywhere other than Westward Ho for the avid Golfer... not only is this course on your doorstep whilst staying with us but it's placed in the Golf World Top 100 Courses - a true gem right on our doorstep! Did you know that it's also the oldest Golf Club in England and Wales?