North Devon Sports and Leisure Activities

Sports and Leisure Activities

Phil Durbin diving on the wreck HMCS Regina

Boating

Watermouth Cove is a safe and popular harbour for boats and dinghies

You can bring your dinghy/boat/kyak with you and park it at Watermouth Cove harbour, using the harbour's facilities and slipway. Please note jetskis are not permitted in the harbour. Call the Harbour Master for more information on fees and availability 01271 865422.
Cruises to Lundy Island are available from Ifracombe. Waverley Paddle Steamers offer trips along the Exmoor coastline or across to South Wales from May. From Lynmouth there are also coastal boat trips. Tarka Cruises are run from Appledore

Cycling

Many places in Barnstaple also offer cycle hire. There is the Tarka Trail to enjoy, which follows an old railway line. It is therefore level and so ideal for cyclists of all ages and fitness. Drive to Fremington Quay where you can park, hire a bike from Biketrail Cycle Hire and have a spot of lunch overlooking the sea and bird sanctuary. Great for ornithologists too!

Diving

The North Devon Sub Aqua Club will take visitors out to Lundy or other areas where diving is permitted. The region does have strong tides and offers a very different type of diving to many coastal resorts, so please be sure to discuss your diving experience with the club.
 

Fishing

You can take your rods and fish from the harbour at Watermouth Cove [pictured below]. Also, from the rocks on the other side of the Burrow, (the Cove headland) a wide variety of fish has been caught including mackerel.

Course Fishing

  • Bakers Farm, Moortown, Torrington

  • Melberry, near Bideford

  • Mill Park, Berrynarbor (two minutes drive from Watermouth Cove)

  • Jennetts, near Bideford

  • Riverton House & Lakes, Swimbridge near Barnstaple

  • Wistlandpound, enter via Calvert Trust Gate

Fish in North Devon

Fly fishing in North Devon

Deep Sea & Mackerel Fishing 

  • Boats can be hired at Ilfracombe and Lynmouth. 

Stillwater Trout 

Golf

  • Bideford, Royal North Devon Golf

  • Chulmleigh : small 9 hole course, very good for learners

  • Ilfracombe: Guests of Watermouth Cove Cottages can enjoy facilities at the 18-hole Ilfracombe Golf Club, with its superb views across to South Wales at the special reduced rate of £16.50 for a full weekday’s membership (£19 weekends). Just one mile from the cottages 

  • Saunton : championship links course

  • Willingcot Valley Golf Club, Woolacombe

  • Open Golf Tournament in Ilfracombe early June each year

Horse Riding

Swimming

  • There is a hot tub at the cottages - not really swimming, but great for relaxing in warm, bubbly water, even on a cool, dull day! [Not available during low season]

  • Ilfracombe - public indoor heated swimming pool. Also Tunnels Beach, a safe, tidal bathing pool available from May to September.

  • Cascades Indoor Fun Pool, near Croyde. Flume rides and Jacuzzis

  • Barnstaple - public indoor heated pool with ocean wave

  • Aqua Splash at Minehead

Theatres & Museums

Ilfracombe also has a theatre, two cinemas and a museum. Further museums and heritage centres can be found at Appledore, Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Chittlehampton, Combe Martin, Croyde, Hartland, Lynton, Mortehoe, South Molton and Torrington. The theatre in Barnstaple offers a variety of performances from ballet, to drama and celebrity shows.

Walking - idyllic area for walkers and dog lovers! 

  • Tarka Trail - coastal trail that wends its way through Watermouth Cove

  • South West Coastal Path - this also runs through Watermouth Cove and Lynmouth - see www.swcp.org.uk or www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southwestcoastpath  

  • There are numerous self-guided walks, maps and details available from Ilfracombe Tourist Info Centre.

  • Exmoor teems with footpaths and bridal paths 

  • North Devon Walking Festival May - see events

    Please call us on 0845 029 1958 (Local call rate) or 01271 883931 for more information or for a colour brochure, or email stay@watermouthcove.co.uk
We look forward to having you stay with us!