Hello everyone, and welcome to my temporary corner of the world in North Devon, England.
For those of you signed up for the Lifestyle Fifty Newsletter or who follow along on our Facebook Page you’ll already know that I’m in England for a while because my Mum’s not been well. So it’s been goodbye 40 degree heat in Perth and Hello 4 degree February chill in North Devon for a while.
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Many of you have asked me what’s it like here, and requested if I’d spill the beans a bit about my days. So consider this a little Post Card from a friend, and at the end of it I’ll share some great reasons to visit North Devon if you come to England on holiday.
My sister lives quite near mum in a quaint Devon village, in a 16th Century thatched farmhouse where she and her hubby have chooks, and ducks and horses.
It’s mid winter so the meadows are muddy.
If you ever come to Devon on holiday, my sis has two gorgeous holiday lets, tastefully decorated barn conversions that she rents out.
In the chook pen there’s a duck, wait for it … called Jemima. Well, why wouldn’t you? Lol – Hello Beatrix Potter. The chooks live in a bit of a chicken Hilton, and have lots of room to roam free with some pretty substantial houses to retreat to from the foxes at night. How lovely their free range eggs taste. I’m going to make a Mary Berry lemon drizzle cake with them one of these days.
Every time I visit Devon, I love going to Rosemoor Gardens, which are part of the Royal Horticultural Society. In summer they’re awash with the sweet smell of roses and in winter there’s the smell of wood chips and bonfires. It’s a very different scent to the voluptuousness of summer, but the scenes are still tranquil and beautiful.
I haven’t seen snow drops in about 8 years. Of all the woodland flowers, I love dainty snowdrops almost as much as I love bluebells. How about you?
Ohh, but then there are daffodils. Aren’t they just the freshest most vibrant colour, and in England they really do signify that Spring is just around the corner.
North Devon has some of the most gorgeous beaches. This one below is Westward Ho. I’ve posted better photos of it here in Best Summer Things to do in North Devon. Right now it’s cold but still lovely to walk along. There’s a pebble ridge on the right of the sea which stops the sea flowing onto the historic Burrows area, and when the tide goes out it goes out for miles and then you have a huge wide stretch of beach. On the other side of this photo you can see Saunton Beach and the white building is Saunton Sands Hotel.
Winter is the time of year to be spotting pretty little Robin redbreasts in trees devoid of foliage. This little chap posed for us and sang his sweet tune as if he was performing just for us. Aww, just too cute for custard.
And just so you know that I haven’t stopped working, this is Lifestyle Fifty Central for the duration of my time in England.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Things to do in North Devon
Having lived in beautiful North Devon and since I left I’ve holidayed here often, it’s hard to pick just a few things to do. So these tips are quite general and I’m linking to sites which will give you much better information about specifics.
- Go on a road trip to Woolacombe, Coombe Martin and Ilfracombe and take in the stunning coastal scenery and beaches.
- Visit Exmoor, walk, sit by the banks of a pretty river, have lunch in a quaint pub with beams and low ceilings. I’ve written about a beautiful walk on Exmoor here at yTravelBlog.
- Visit Hartland Abbey (Prince William stayed here on his stag night), or Arlington Court and be taken back through time to how the aristocracy used to live.
- Walk along a section of the beautiful South West coastal path.
- Visit the fishing village Clovelly which is ancient and atmospheric and full of tales of yore.
I’ve written about another beautiful part of Devon here: National Trust Walk on Dartmoor.
More posts I’ve written about North Devon
On the Write Trail in North Devon
10 Places to See along the North Devon Coast
Book Suggestions
Books I’ve loved that have been written about North Devon or in the region include: Tarka The Otter, by Henry Williamson, Lorna Doone by R D Blackmore and Westward Ho by Charles Kingsley (these links go to Amazon, so if you purchase from them, you’ll help keep this blog alive.)
I hope you’ve enjoyed a little jaunt to my neck of the woods. Would you like more about my days here?
Have you visited England? Where do you dream to go?
7 Vintage Style Tips
I enjoyed your lovely “postcards” from this beautiful area. I’ve been to England several times, but never fortunate enough to get to Devon. Your suggestions for things to do are right up my alley, too. Sounds like a place where I’d want to do a lot of walking.
Thanks x and Absolutely right Catherine 🙂 Devon is an awesome place for getting out in nature and walking (and not too crowded at all on places like the coastal path and Exmoor).
I was in England back in 1991 and am longing for a return visit. North Devon is an area I didn’t visit previously but it looks like I should add it to my list of must-sees when I go. I would love to stay at one of your sister’s rooms to let and be around the farm animals. When I read your mention of “chooks” I didn’t know what you were talking about until I saw the photo of the chickens! LOL! Also, your photo of what you call a “robin redbreast” is totally different looking from our robins! Interesting!
Hi Debra, yes someone else from America said that your robins are different to the European ones … how interesting. Let me know if you do get to Devon and I’ll give you the name of my sister’s letting agents for her holiday cottages. It’s a gorgeous spot – and you’ll see her ‘chooks’! That’s funny too 🙂
So sorry to hear that your mum isn’t doing well. It’s hard to go home under those circumstances but you still can see all the beauty in North Devon. Thanks for sharing it with your readers!
Yes, very hard Irene. North Devon is always lovely to return to though. Thanks for popping by.
North Devon looks like a beautifully pastoral place to spend some time. And of course commune with Flicker and the cute ducks. Lucky you to have this as your corner of the world
Hi Michele, yes I am! Oh, and there’s lots more to see and do too 🙂
Talk about perfect timing Jo! We have friends from London staying with us at the moment who have a holiday house in Devon and were saying that we should really go down there with them on our next trip. I’m just running these suggestions by them! Sounds a lovely corner of the country.
Perfect timing, Jenny! What a coincidence! Yes, you must visit Devon – it’s a beautiful corner of the world, especially on a summer’s day!
We’ve spent some time in Devon with a friend, but I didn’t get such a fine photo of a robin! This seems to be a young one, and slightly different from the North American version. Nice introduction to the region.
Thanks Kristin, that little chap sat so still and close to us, that I was able to snap the photo on my phone. Glad you’ve experienced and like Devon 🙂
I love your photos of north Devon. Beautiful places. I’ve been to Clovelly (in summer), but it looks like I have a lot more of Devon to explore.
Thanks Donna! Clovelly is so beautiful. I’ve written lots about it for magazines, and left it out of this post, which I must address 🙂
How beautiful! I love the photo of your sister and her horse coming up the lane. Just the right photo for the lovely, nostalgic tone of your post.
Thanks Betsy. It was nostalgic, wasn’t it 😉
What a pretty part of England – really enjoyable to see the blooms of spring!
Ahh, those blooms. Yes, spring in Devon is indeed very beautiful. Thanks for popping by Anne 🙂
Devon is one of my favourite places in England – so much soon that I’m planning to move there soon! It’s good to see that there are still some new places for me to discover there – I’ve certainly never been to Arlington Court.
That’s great to hear Karen. I hope you love it as much as I do. Arlington is beautiful, not only the grounds but the house too – try to go on a tour in summer, I think they still run them.
It looks like an Enid Blyton book come to life! I’ve never seen snowdrops before 🙂 . Would love to visit one day, but I’m sorry that the reason for your visit this time is a sad one. Hope your mum is doing better soon x
Thanks Janet x Yes very Enid Blyton in many respects!
A beautiful spot Jo, I’d welcome the cold to. Love the view you have x
Thanks Rae. Don’t know about you, but actually when I’m in the bitter cold, the heat of Aus looks very appealing, but when I’m in the sweltering heat, the idea of cold looks awesome 😉 human vagary at its best. Today however is cold and sunny, now that’s pretty A1 in my books! Thanks for popping by 🙂
Devon looks like a charming place to visit and I love the farmyard animals. I could easily spend a bit of time travelling around this part of England. One day – sigh!!!
The trouble is Kathy, there are just so many lovely places to visit in the world aren’t there? I hope you get to Devon one day. There’s so much to do, and in summer it can be absolutely glorious.