Combining old-world charm with modern surf chic, this unspoiled village is hugely popular with tourists, from watersports enthusiasts to walkers.
Relax on one of Croyde’s three beaches or grab a board and hit the waves. Head out into the countryside on foot or on horseback. Choose from a huge number of establishments to eat in, from thatched inns to fashionable tea shops.
Walk down to the beaches, which are some of the most popular surfing spots in Devon. Surf Woolacombe and Putsborough Beach end to end or just enjoy the scenery. Relax on golden sand at Croyde Beach, which is sheltered between two headlands. Walk the 2 miles (3 kilometers) across Saunton Beach to Crow Point and then back across the nature reserve for beautiful scenic views.
Visit the Museum of British Surfing to learn more about Croyde’s most popular pastime. See vintage wetsuits and surfboards and discover the history of the sport, from 18th-century British sailors riding Hawaiian waves to the 1920s pioneers who popularized it here.
Explore the countryside around the village. Head to Baggy Point for dramatic views of the waves crashing into the cliffs. Use it as a starting point to explore the South West Coast Path, a 630-mile (1,010-kilometer) footpath and the longest in England. Wander Braunton Burrows, the U.K.’s largest network of dunes. Try to find the mock landing craft, which commemorate when the dunes were used to train American troops prior to D-Day.
Croyde is at its most popular in the summer, when tourists and surfers flock to the beaches. Visit off-season when beaches and roads are less crowded. Reach Croyde by taking a bus to Barnstaple and a bus from there to the village. Parking in the village can be expensive, but nearby Woolacombe and Staunton have cheaper parking lots only a short distance away. Off-season these prices are much less expensive.
