Beautiful North Devon

Sat 24 Jan 2026 • Polly Shute

Beautiful North Devon

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The perfect space for Out & Wild

I have been spending the last 3 weeks in North Devon, house sitting for a good friend and visiting the areas around where Out & Wild festival is held.

Recently enjoy travel listed North Devon as it's one of it's 26 places to visit in the World, rating it above Cornwall, stating 'North Devon, England’s more affordable coastal escape. The surfing matches Cornwall, particularly in Woolacombe and Croyde, as well as a rugged coastline that’s perfect for long sea-sprayed walks. Pubs and restaurants are also leaning into local produce and farm-to-table dining, without the celebrity chef price tag.'

We get people attend Out & Wild Festival from over 20 countries, and with the option to extend your stay at the campsite, as well as in the surrounding towns, I would definitely recommend staying on.

Here are my top tips.

Westward Ho

Firstly, just 10 mins drive from the Festival Site is Westward Ho, a space we will be using for swims and surfs. Westward Ho! is known for its surfing seas and the long expanse of clean sand backed by a pebble ridge and grasslands which extends for about three miles.

Although I did not venture in, I loved the rockpool. It's free to use, and filled naturally by the sea. You can swim in the calm water and watch the sea waves, crashing against the rocks, There is even a pop up sauna nearby with amazing views. We will be using a mini bus to have trips to the rockpool as part of Out & Wild.

Appledore

I got told by the locals that Appledore is considered as the Hebden Bridge of Devon. And that quite a few lesbians from London have moved and settled here.

It's a historic fishing village with winding narrow streets and colourful houses, full of maritime history and cute pastel houses. And a big focus on arts and crafts.

You can also get boat excursions from here across the Devon coast.

I loved looking around all the shops. There is a great bakery and when I chatted to the owner I found out he baked his goods at the Big Sheep, where the festival is!5

Saunton Sands

This has to be one of my fave places ever, a vast, straight, and golden sandy beach, approximately four kilometres wide, backed by one of the most unique and impressive dune systems in the country. It's famous for it's surfing, and there were even people out there on a cold January morning.

The beach is situated below the famous Sands Hotel. It's dog friendly all year round, and also has beach wheelchairs you can rent from the surf shop.

All these fab spaces are close to the festival site, Appledore and Westward Ho are just 10 mins drive away and Saunton Sands, 30 mins.

Lastly, a few people have asked where I am staying. Well I am in a small village called Sandford, close to Crediton. I must admit I have really enjoyed being here. It can get very bust running a festival and events, but I have noticed how much I have slowed down. I will miss my morning coffee on the red garden chairs, the beautiful views, clear skies at night, and log fires in the evening.