Location: Bideford
Top Things to do in Bideford
Things to do in Bideford, England: The Best Nature & Parks
Bideford (/ˈbɪdɪfərd/ BID-ə-fərd) is a historic port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, south-west England. It is the main town of the Torridge local government district.
Restaurants in Bideford
1. Lundy Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
Located off the coast of Devon, this granite outcrop lies between England and America and is famed for its marine reserve.
Reviewed By macstan1 - Stradbroke, United Kingdom
Our friends suggested that we might like a couple of nights on Lundy Island, to seek out some puffins and incorporate it with my birthday. I decided it would be safer for me to travel to the top of the island by land rover and my husband and friends would walk. It is a very steep climb and I made the right decision as it would have ruined my time there, as I’m ok on flattish ground. But at least I was first at the inn and opened a tab, so when the others arrived they had a lovely cold lager to greet them, so I didn’t feel so bad about my ride up. As it was very hot, and we did some exploring, as our cottage would not be ready for about 4 hours. I love it there, the coast line is stunning and we did spot 3 seals in the water below but a long way off. The air is so fresh and all you can hear are the birds and animals, very little else. A place that is good for your soul. Our cottage was a 50s style, basic but clean. But quite quirky in its own way - must add it has a brilliant shower, small but really good. The staff are friendly and always seem to have a smile. Please remember there is no TV, or radio unless you took your own but I don’t know if it would work. And very little internet- and to be honest for a little while it really is quite nice. But we did without and it really wasn’t a problem. And we did get to see the Puffins, lots of them. It was wonderful. You need a good pair of walking shoes/boots and good binoculars and take a picnic if you can,but leave nothing behind. It’s unspoilt let’s keep it that way. We were very lucky with the weather, hot the first day but overcast on the second and I was grateful for that, as walking in the sun isn’t really for me. Even enjoyed the mist late that evening when leaving the inn to go home. But woke up to yet another glorious day. Even the boat trips both ways were perfect and to finish our couple of days off we saw Dave the single dolphin on the way back to Ilfracombe. (Apparently he has been kicked out of the pod, for some reason) so goes it alone. But wonderful to see him in his right habitat. All in all, a great visit, and we will go back one day - when fitter I hope ????????
2. Westward Ho Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,549 reviews
Reviewed By grahamq12018 - Filton, United Kingdom
One of the best beaches in the United Kingdom,clean sand and safe (lifeguards on duty most of the season).easy access and lots of exiting rock pools to explore
3. Northam Burrows Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Z4266NSrobertd
It combines a Site of Special Scientific Interest with recreation - golf, walking, jogging, dog-walking, bird-watching, just sitting & looking... Combines wild areas, sand-dunes, rough pasture, sea views, pebble ridge with access to huge clean sandy beach, river scenery, salt-marshes... Lots of sheep & ponies, with wildlife if you look for it! See my two films on YouTube (just search under 'SkernScapes'). The first deals with the general area, the second on ecology & wildlife; both are full of beautiful images as well as lots of information. (I have to select a single month as date of visit. Ridiculous! I've visited many scores of times & at every month of the year, & for many years.)
4. Instow beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 624 reviews
Reviewed By tazmillie26 - Bideford, United Kingdom
Still the best beach for a dog walk with lovely views and friendly dog walkers can usually park on road as people coming and going
5. Victoria Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By goldpeke - Bideford, United Kingdom
well kept park that is always busy with familys children people walking their dogs or people just sat enjoying the park go regularly in the summertime as hockings ice cream van is a permanent fixture so after walking dog treat myself.Quite a few activities by different groups held there outside pool for toddlers, football keep fit group run the other side of park
6. South West Coast Path Walk - Torridge Tarka Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
From Bideford catch a bus to Instow, a Victorian seaside resort and an important training area for the D-Day Landings. Walk on the South West Coast Path back along the eastern bank of the River Torridge, following the Tarka Trail cycleway along the old railway line. Features along the 3.3 mile walk include a country mansion with a colourful history and a medieval bridge that kept falling down.
Reviewed By Fred_Gannett - Exeter, United Kingdom
Such a great feature of North Devon the Taka trail (recycled railway line) forms part of the South west coast path. From Braunton through Barnstaple and Bideford then on to Fremington, Instow then out to Torrington and beyond. Has multiple access points and a largely parallel bus service ( number 25 ). Great for walking, running, cycling and strolling along with the dog. Cafe's along route at Instow, Fremington, Bideford, Torrington and East Yard. Cycle repairs and hire at Braunton, Barnstaple (in town), Bideford and Torrington. Gets popular in the summer. Can be windy and bleak in winter on the long flat estuary sections between Instow and Barnstaple. For best wooded sections start at the great cafe "The Puffing Billy" just below Torrington and head either way. Part of national cycle route 27 that stretches from Plymouth to Illfracombe. When walking as a group be sure to all gather on the same side when cyclists ring bell and come along to prevent last second run-across by dogs and kids.
7. Tapeley Park Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 198 reviews
Tapeley invites you to do something different today… Tapeley Park gardens is one of North Devon’s best kept secrets. Explore the unique gardens and enchanted woods with centuries’ old trees and lake that’s home to dragonflies and kingfishers. Play croquet on the lawn, stroll to the labyrinth for one of North Devon’s finest coastal views, learn about Tapeley’s history and sustainability projects or just find a quiet corner to sit and listen to the birdsong…
Reviewed By rchd1 - Tring, United Kingdom
We had a lovely afternoon visiting the gardens, despite some sporadic showers. The display about the history of the house and family was very interesting. There's lots to read! The gardens are lovely to walk around and sit in. There is a range of interesting flowers to look at. The kitchen garden was similarly interesting. The artichokes were memorable. The walk to the lake is fairly steep and a bit slippy in places without good grip shoes. If it had been dry, this would have been less of an issue. But it's worth the effort with interesting information about the birds and trees on route. The water lillies weren't quite in flower, but must be lovely when out as there are so many. We sat and had tea in the cafe, which is pleasant. They do decaf tea and oat milk if required. Overall, we'd highly recommend a visit. Apparently, only pre-booked groups can visit the house. They are missing a trick here as we would have stayed longer and paid to visit the house.
8. Hartland Abbey & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 340 reviews
Only one mile from Hartland Quay, Hartland Abbey lies across a narrow, sheltered valley which winds its way to the spectacular Atlantic Coast. Within a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ visitors may wander around the beautiful gardens and grounds which lead to the rocky cove. Peacocks and guinea fowl roam at will, whilst donkeys and Black Welsh Mountain sheep graze the Old Deer Park.Hartland Abbey is the lived-in family home of the Stucley family. Although it was built in the 12th century, remaining as a monastery for 400 years and passing through the female line three times, it has never been sold. Consequently, it contains collections of pictures, furniture and porcelain which have accumulated over many generations. The story of the Abbey mirrors local and national history at every turn. It has a friendly and lived-in atmosphere, so often absent in many of our nation’s historic houses, a point continually remarked upon by those who visit us.
Reviewed By 207maxiner
I Had so wanted to visit the garden as featured in the wild garden book, although i wouldn't class it as Wild, but stunning, immaculate lawns and borders, flowers in full bloom and just one gardener. There was so much to see, bog garden, shubbery, exhibition......and walk along a track, overhanging tree's allowing dappled sunshine to stream through, fields of all black sheep, a small folly set amongst the woodland...continuing to reveal a wide view of wild sea and rugged coast, to the right another path over towards Clovelly and to the left towards Hartland Quay.......i couldn't resist just a mile and half of steep cliff giving coast line views well worthy of the climb! i didnt have much time left to get back before the Abbey closes at 5pm, still just enough time for a Crab Salad in the Abbey Courtyard, Ordered safely through the front Abbey Window in these Covid times it was the best visit to escape and restore. I will revisit.
9. Noah's Place Care Farm
Noah's Place Care Farm is a charity set up to provide a safe and social environment for adults with learning difficulties to learn new skills. In addition to this, we open our doors to welcome visitors to come up and meet our animals and learn about the charity. In addition to this, we offer a range of experience days such as farmer for a day, pool and afternoon tea parties, etc.
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