Last week Chris and I took a few days off work and headed to the North Devon coast for a much-needed break. It’s only a two-hour drive from our home in Bristol, but it felt a world away from the city – wild and dramatic, with white-sand beaches backed by jagged rock formations, towering cliffs and the windswept heathland of Exmoor. It was the perfect place to relax, recharge and reconnect with nature, and I couldn’t resist sharing a few photos that might tempt you to explore this wonderful corner of southwest England for yourself.
We stayed at The Old Apple Store – a beautifully decorated two-bedroom cottage in a renovated barn, complete with its own hot tub and private deck. It sits in the pretty little village of Lee, which is strung out along a wooded valley with a secluded beach at its mouth, and it made a very peaceful base. We spent much of our time strolling along the shore, watching the waves roll in and out and peering into rock pools at low tide. We also followed a section of the South West Coast Path up onto the rugged headlands flanking the beach, where we were treated to spectacular views, vast skies and increasingly atmospheric light as distant storm clouds gathered on the horizon.
On one day we ventured along the coast to Clovelly, which tumbles down a hillside towards a working fishing harbour. It’s one of England’s few privately owned villages so you have to pay to enter, but it’s a fascinating place and well worth the admission charge. Lined with wonky whitewashed cottages, its cobbled streets are too steep for cars and residents rely on sledges (often visible propped up against walls and doorways) to ferry around shopping and deliveries. We spent a happy morning meandering down towards the sea, before tucking into fish and chips on the quayside as seagulls danced and dived overhead.
It was just the break we needed, and we both fell in love with the area and its moody beauty. Definitely somewhere we’ll be returning to in the future.
All photography by Abi Dare
This was like an actual breath of fresh air on this drizzly northern night. I hope you had a lovely time Abi, the photos are beautiful!
Thanks so much Ffi! We had a wonderful time – it was just what we both needed.