Northam House, Westward Ho!

Devon. Sleeps up to 6

Set just a 10-minute walk from the beach, across the Northam Burrows Country Park, the impressive Northam House offers a modern holiday home for six. With a light and fresh feel, this property offers ample outdoor space where you can take a soak in a wonderfully tempting hot tub.

You will feel instantly relaxed at Northam House, as you recline on the rattan furniture in the terrace seating area or enjoy an evening barbecue. An upper balcony looks out over this area, from where you can walk straight inside to the open-plan living space. Supremely spacious and filled with natural light, this area includes enough comfy lounge seating for everyone, as well as TV and Wi-Fi.

An island separates the lounge area from the kitchen and dining space, where you have an oven, microwave, coffee machine, dishwasher and more. The chic acacia wood table offers both chair and bench seating.

With three bedrooms, Northam House is ideal for a family or smaller group. Two of the bedrooms feature king-size beds and an en suite shower room, while the third has twin beds. A separate bathroom with bath and shower is available to all. Situated on the ground floor, the two king rooms also offer direct access to the terrace.

Wonderfully well equipped and supremely styled, Northam House enjoys a fine location too, with the golden-sand beach of Westward Ho! just a few minutes from your door. A popular surfing spot, the beach is well set up for visitors and ideal for families. Nearby you will find a go-karting track and adventure golf course, as well as the real thing at the Royal North Devon Golf Club.

Head further up the coast and you can discover many more fantastic beaches, with the likes of Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Croyde Sands within driving distance. Sitting prettily on the River Torridge, the town of Bideford is around 10 minutes from Westward Ho! As well as all the amenities you may need, it offers an Art Gallery & Museum and Railway Heritage Centre.

An incredible area of natural beauty, North Devon offers wonderful beaches, gardens and a host of heritage attractions, ensuring it will always be a pleasure to get out and about.

Much of North Devon (and a portion of neighbouring Somerset) is within the bounds of Exmoor National Park, and the area is filled with scenic walking and hiking routes stretching all the way to the coast. There’s the opportunity to spot wildlife including the famous Exmoor ponies, as well as exploring more than 1000km of trails.

One of the highlights of the northern coast is Lynton, overlooking Lynmouth. The two are connected by a water-powered Cliff Railway – a good way to travel between them as it’s a steep walk. This beautiful stretch of coast is much loved and the area’s popularity with visitors ensures there are plenty of characterful places to eat.

Water sports and cycling are amongst the activities on offer, along with golf and tennis, while steam trains are the way to travel on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. The nearby Valley of the Rocks is a great choice if you fancy a bracing coastal walk.

About 20 minutes’ drive west of Westward Ho!, the pretty fishing village of Clovelly is privately owned, and well worth visiting. This charming, traffic-free village sits on cliffs, with donkeys roaming the cobbled streets, a couple of nice pubs serving good food, two museums and a still-active harbour bringing in crabs and lobsters – this little place even hosts the ‘Lobster and Crab Feast’ each year. There is a small admission charge to visit the village, which includes admission to sights such as the lovely Clovelly Court Gardens.

The town of Bideford offers good dining and shopping possibilities, including twice-weekly markets at its historic Pannier Market building, and bargains from well-known names at the town’s outlet shopping centre, Affinity. A big family favourite is the adventure and wildlife park, The BIG Sheep, just outside Bideford, which brings together all sorts of outdoor activities, including actual sheep racing.

To appreciate the beauty of the North Devon coast, head for Braunton Burrows, one of the largest systems of sand dunes in the UK. As well as being very big indeed, Braunton Burrows is notable for its abundance of wildlife, with butterflies, birds, lizards and 470 species of flowering plant. Alongside the Burrows, you will find the wonderful beach of Saunton Sands. Suitable for families, swimmers and surfers, the beach has the curious claim to fame of appearing in Robbie Williams’ Angels video.

Fans of gardens can visit the likes of 50-acre Castle Hill Gardens near Barnstaple, set beside a lovely, ochre-coloured mansion house, or the Italianate terraces of Tapeley Park in the village of Instow, just outside Bideford. South Molton’s Quince Honey Farm does exactly what it says on the jar – you can learn all about bees and enjoy a honey tasting too.