The Holiday Parks of North Devon
Most of these sites have evolved from camping fields of the 1950s and '60s. Fields usually run by the farmer to harvest a cash crop of holidaymakers in the summer months. Not many of these sites remain in the hands of the original farming families - but some do and they have many loyal and regular visitors. The bigger holiday parks have swimming pools, entertainment, children's clubs and all sorts of amusements and eateries. Several now offer the opportunity to purchase one's own holiday home on site, allowing one to rent it out to other families or to retain it for one's own use.
HOLIDAY, TOURING & CAMPING PARK
Tarka Holiday Park
Braunton Road, Barnstaple. Tel: 01271 343691.
Website: www.tarkaholidaypark.co.uk
80 static caravans (range of quality grades) in a parkland setting overlooking the Taw estuary. Six miles from Saunton Sands beach, eight miles from Croyde beach. Cycle hire on site: less than one mile to access the Tarka Trail Cycle Path (32 miles of off-road cycling). Licenced clubhouse. 2 miles north-west of Barnstaple.
Weekly Tariff: £105-£525. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: extra. 
Sleeping: 4 or 6. Open: All year round (limited winter services). OS grid ref: SS 533 346.
HOLIDAY, TOURING & CAMPING PARK
Bay View Farm
Croyde. Tel: 01271 890501.
Website: www.bayviewfarm.co.uk
Three static caravans in a corner of this family-run Camping Park beside the village: 10 acres of grassland, surrounded by fields and downs, on the southern edge of part-thatched Croyde village, 800 yards from the beach. 300 yards to Croyde village centre (3 pubs, restaurants, tea rooms, surf shops, PO/general store, etc). A quality touring site, with just three static holiday caravans, close to the village amenities. Bay View Farm has been run by the same family for 30 years plus.
Weekly Tariff: please telephone between 9.30 and 10.30am. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: please bring your own.
Sleeping: 4/5. Open: March-October. OS grid ref: SS 444 387.
Availability (week beginning Saturday):
Rose Award
HOLIDAY, TOURING
& CAMPING PARK
Ruda Holiday Park
Croyde Bay, Croyde. Tel: 0871 641 0191.
Website: www.parkdeanholidays.co.uk
* Ruda is a firm favourite with families who return year after year for Croyde Bay's wonderful Blue Flag beach, just a short stroll from the park. Ruda has great on park facilities including Cascades Tropical Adventure Pool, nightly live entertainment, kids clubs, restaurants, bars, surf hire, bike hire, mountain boarding, horse riding and fishing. Choose from a wide range of superb accommodation, including caravans, lodges and beachside apartments. Visit our website for more information or to book online!
Weekly Tariff: £179-£1,659. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: free bed linen.
Sleeping: 4-8. Open: March to Oct. OS grid ref: SS 436 396 .
HOLIDAY, TOURING
& CAMPING PARK
North Morte Farm
Mortehoe, Woolacombe. Tel: 01271 870381.
Website: www.northmortefarm.co.uk
Popular, family-run site: the closest to the sea in the Woolacombe/Mortehoe area. Spectacular views of the bay, surrounded by National Trust coastland, North Morte is just 500 yds from Rockham Bay beach. 800 yds from Mortehoe village (church, post office, pubs and shops). 24 static caravans and 175 tent and touring pitches. 1 mile north of Woolacombe.
Weekly Tariff: £225-£568. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: extra.
Sleeping: 4, 6 or 8. Open: April to Sept. OS grid ref: SS 463 457.
SHORT BREAKS:
minimum three nights - from £95 to £530 inc.
Luxury lodges for sale - prices range from £99,950 to £225,000 each.
Rose Award
HOLIDAY PARK
Mullacott Park
Mullacott Cross, Ilfracombe. Tel: 01271 862212. Fax: 01271 862979.
Website: www.mullacottpark.co.uk
* Mullacott Park is a new and exclusive lodge development, situated between the old harbour town of Ilfracombe and the famous beach resort of Woolacombe. Surrounded by panoramic ocean and meadow views, Mullacott Park offers the perfect retreat for a calm and relaxing holiday, offering brand new luxurious accommodation, you can choose from top of the range mobile homes to brand new VIP luxury lodges. Cafe offering freshly made baguettes and sandwiches, jacket potatoes, paninis, smoothies and the highest quality fairtrade coffee in a relaxing, modern atmosphere.
2 miles south of Ilfracombe harbour.
Weekly Tariff: £215-£1045. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: included.
Sleeping: 4 or 6. Open: April to Oct. OS grid ref: SS 511 445 .
LUXURY CARAVANS FOR SALE ranging from £3,500 to £26,000
Short breaks when available, minimum 3 nights from £135.
HOLIDAY, TOURING &
CAMPING PARK
Hele Valley Holiday Park
Hele Bay, Ilfracombe, EX34 9RD. Tel: 01271 862460. Fax: 01271 867926.
Website: www.helevalley.co.uk
Family-run holiday park of luxury caravans, stylish lodges, beautiful country cottages and affordable camping with new, modern facilities. Hele Valley is within easy walking distance of the beach at Hele Bay and the Victorian fishing town of Ilfracombe. Nearby is an 18-hole golf course, riding stables, an indoor heated swimming pool, two public houses in Hele Bay itself and a first class pottery.
Hele Valley offers a wide choice of modern, luxury caravans to suit all budgets and needs.
Weekly Tariff: £200-£810. Electricity/Gas: included. Bed linen: included.
Sleeping: 4, 6. Open: 28th March to 15th January. OS grid ref: SS 534 474.
HOLIDAY PARK
Ilfracombe Holiday Parks
Ilfracombe, Devon Coast and Golden Coast Holiday Parks, Ilfracombe. Tel: 01271 866766.
Website: www.johnfowlerholidays.com
Three adjoining John Fowler Holiday Parks sharing facilities: two indoor heated swimming pools, sauna, clubhouse, restaurant, live entertainment, crazy golf, amusements, pool tables, play area, shop, takeaway, launderette, etc. Set above the town, overlooking the sea, 1 mile from the harbour and sea front. On regular bus route. Apartments, chalets, 1 (4 bedroom) house and 1 (5 bedroom) house. Children's Foxy Club.
Weekly Tariff: £99-£1,287. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: included.
Sleeping: 2, 2+, 2-4, 4-6, 5-7, 6-8, 10, 10-12. Open: 7 March to 31 Oct. OS grid ref: SS 525 466.
HOLIDAY, TOURING
& CAMPING PARK
Sandaway Beach Holiday Park
Combe Martin. Tel: 01271 866766.
Website: www.johnfowlerholidays.com
A John Fowler Holiday Park of holiday caravans, chalets and apartments on the coast of Combe Martin Bay, with direct access to its own beach. Also touring caravan and camping site. Outdoor swimmingpool, Smugglers Bar, Entertainment, Amusements, Pool Tables, Indoor and Outdoor Play Areas, Shop and Takeaway. Children's Foxy Club.
Weekly Tariff: £125-£888. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: included.
Sleeping: 2-4, 4-6, 6-8. Open: 4 March to 31 Oct. OS grid ref: SS 573 474.
HOLIDAY PARK
Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park
Combe Martin. Tel: 01271 866766.
Website: www.johnfowlerholidays.com
A John Fowler Holiday Park of holiday caravans, apartments and chalets in beautiful, landscaped grounds and woodland, overlooking its own beach (across coast road) and Combe Martin public beach. Free use of facilities at Sandaway (see above) just 600 yards walk away: Outdoor swimmingpool, Seaspray Club, Entertainment, Amusements, Pool Tables, Play Area, Shop and Takeaway.
Weekly Tariff: £109-£888. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: included.
Sleeping: 2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8. Open: 4 March to 31 Oct. OS grid ref: SS 576 471.
CHALET PARK
Kentisbury Grange Country Park
Kentisbury. Tel: 01271 883454.
Website: www.kentisburygrange.co.uk
* Recall the elegance of days gone by when you retreat into the beautiful and tranquil grounds of Kentisbury Grange. Cream Teas are served from our resident Tea Rooms, and a Function Room is now available in The Grange's Coach House. Perfectly situated in the Devonshire countryside on the border of Exmoor, surrounded by seven acres of its own grounds with our beautiful free-roaming ground birds, The Grange provides the ideal setting for your peaceful break away. Dogs welcome by arrangement.
Daily Tariff: £58 per night, minimum 2 nights. Electricity/Gas: included. Linen: included.
Units: Chalets (4 berth). Bedrooms: 2 or 3.
Sleeping: 4 or 6. Open: April to December. OS grid ref: SS 629 428.
SHORT BREAKS:
(Fri-Mon or Mon-Fri) AVAILABLE HIGH AND LOW SEASON
HOLIDAY PARK
Bideford Bay Holiday Park
Bucks Cross, Nr Bideford, Devon, EX39 5DU. Tel: 0871 664 9707 or
0871 664 9706.
Website: www.park-resorts.com/bideford
* At Bideford Bay, on the north Devon coast, you’re close to the
picturesque village of Clovelly and the fabulous Blue Flag beach of Westward
Ho! With plenty of attractions to visit nearby, you’ll be spoilt
for choice. Within the wooded hillside grounds, enjoy a game of tennis
or challenge the family to a game of crazy golf. Splash around in the
indoor pool or spend a lazy day relaxing by the outdoor pool.
A drink in the Conservatory Bar is a fine way to start the evening. Then
on to the Manor House Showbar for family entertainment with cabaret, dancing
and exciting shows. Gold David Bellamy Award. 280 acres.
Weekly Tariff: £159-£824. Electricity/Gas:
included. Linen: included.
Sleeping: 4, 6, 8 & 10. Open: 21 March to 1 Nov. OS grid ref: SS 346 234.
