Home to sprawling beaches, stunning coastlines, and a merry mix of family-friendly attractions, Croyde is the ultimate holiday destination on Devon’s rugged north coast. This lovely coastal village boasts lots of fantastic things to see and do, whether your interests lie in history, nature, or balmy beach days.
Pull on your walking boots and step onto the South West Coast Path to explore the North Devon Coast National Landscape on foot, or make the most of the area’s superb watersports to explore the cliffs and shoreline by water, from coasteering to kayaking tours.
Excited to explore this captivating corner of Devon? Here’s our round-up of the best things to do in Croyde during your stay…
Go surfing
A mecca for surfers, this stretch of North Devon coastline boasts impeccable waves and long sandy beaches that welcome everyone, from beginners to surfing pros. Alongside Croyde Bay, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe Beach both promise excellent surfing conditions throughout the year, inviting you to make the most of the Atlantic swells.
Whether you’re new to the sport or have been chasing waves for years but fancy a tune-up, Surfing Croyde Bay is a wonderful surf school that promises excellent tuition and surf hire. Alongside surf lessons, you can also book onto the coasteering sessions for a spot of adventure or wind things down with the fabulous sea-view sauna, complete with a cold water plunge pool - the perfect end to a day in the water.
Enjoy a beach day
The beautiful beaches around Croyde boast golden sands and spellbinding views, with Saunton Sands and Croyde Bay often appearing on people’s lists of the best beaches along the South West Coast Path due to the pretty setting and spectacular surf. Sit on the sun-warmed sands of Croyde Bay with a picnic and a good book for a glorious beach day, or take the kids to explore the rock pools that are unveiled at low tide.
The beach is lifeguarded between May and September, as well as Easter weekend and all weekends in October, making it a great place to swim. Backed by dunes, Croyde Bay makes for a lovely spot for a dog walk in the winter months, while the summer promises excellent watersport opportunities - there’s even a slipway for easy access with your watercraft.
Walk the South West Coast Path
Covering a whopping 630 miles and four counties, the South West Coast Path is worth exploring wherever you join it. Boasting incredible views and lots of great foodie pitstops, Croyde and the North Devon Coast National Landscape invite you to explore one of the best stretches of this mammoth trail as you take in a truly astonishing mix of landscapes. A walk up to Baggy Point will reward you with sprawling views across the bay, while heading south delivers you to film-famous Saunton Sands and the leafy reaches of Crow Point beyond.
For a really good stomp, we recommend walking along the South West Coast Path to Morte Point - or even Bull Point Lighthouse! Offering outstanding views across the rugged coastline, this leg-stretch is the perfect prelude to a pub dinner. Kick off the walking boots and sink into one of Croyde’s welcoming locals for a plate of fish and chips and a pint of something tasty.
Visit The Big Sheep
When it comes to things to do in Croyde with kids, you really can’t bleat a visit to The Big Sheep. A theme park with a wonderful focus on wholesome fun, you’ll find cuddly critters, rainy day activities, and Devon’s largest family rollercoaster. Fill your visit with action-packed rides or sit back and relax in one of the cafés while the little ones plan their next stop.
In the mood for some adorable fun? Catch one of the fantastic sheep races or, in the spring, enjoy feeding the baby lambs. Taking North Devon’s calendar by storm, Pigstock is a fabulously family-friendly festival with lots of great live music, food stalls, and activities to keep the kids thoroughly entertained.
Sample some wine at Saunton Vineyard
One of the top things to do in Croyde for adults, Saunton Vineyard invites you to explore the undulating slopes of one of Devon’s top wineries. Home to over 2,000 vines and boasting beautiful sea views, book onto a wine tour for a fascinating look behind the vine-topped scenes.
Operating every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the summer months, you’re invited to explore the grounds before being led through a tasting of three lip-smacking wines. Dogs are welcome too, so the whole pack can enjoy an afternoon of winesome entertainment.
Soak up the sights at Marwood Hill Gardens
One of Croyde’s top dog-friendly things to do, Marwood Hill Gardens promises a picturesque place to stretch your legs with the pooch by your side. Covering 20 acres of Devonshire countryside, these beautiful gardens offer a pretty mix of flora and fauna, from carefully curated flower beds to ponds teeming with fish and frogs.
There are lots of lovely trails to follow, with some accessible paths for wheel-friendly explorations. Stop by the walled garden to pick up some plants for your own garden or visit the charming café for a light lunch or one of their famous Devon cream teas.
Marvel at Watermouth Castle
There are many castles in Devon, but none quite so entertaining as this North Devon favourite. A great family day out, Watermouth Castle is a merry mix of history and fantastical fun. Boasting multiple play areas alongside a chucklesome selection of rides, it’s a great place for kids to let off steam, while the likes of crazy golf and the magical maze invite adults to get involved too.
Visit the enchanting fairy museum for some mystical fun, or head to the water gardens to immerse yourself in an otherworldly display of curious sculptures and puzzles.
Discover Croyde’s foodie delights
Croyde might be famous as a surfing hotspot, but did you know that it’s also got quite the reputation for its foodie delights? Boasting everything from beachfront cafés to toothsome restaurants tucked away down the winding village streets, eating out in Croyde is its own activity to be sure.
Baggy Point boasts a lovely National Trust tearoom, perfect for hunks of cake and doggy ice creams, while New Coast Kitchen promises Michelin dining in a rather special setting. Looking to dine out with the pooch? The Thatch welcomes four-legged friends and offers proper pub fare and a fabulous sun-soaked garden for those magical summer afternoons.
Ready to build your own jam-packed itinerary? Explore our beautiful holiday cottages in Croyde and craft your perfect coastal escape.
