As you descend past whitewashed Victorian villas, you know you’re approaching somewhere special
Things To Do
Learn to surf with one of the various surf schools located in the village. All offer tuition and guidance under professionally qualified instructors and the surfboard and wetsuit are included for the duration of your session.
Visit the Wavedreamer Gallery in the village for a collection of stunning Woolacombe scenes for print on canvas or archive paper.
Head to the EX34 Hub at the Golden Coast Holiday Village for a selection of outdoor activities such as a high ropes course, a climbing wall, a bungee run and a bungee trampoline, plus a new surfing simulator to practise those moves.
Take a scenic horse ride from Woolacombe Riding Stables. With hard hats and boots provided from the British Horse Society and Pony Club approved equestrian centre, choose from a half-hour trek, a one-hour scenic off-road ride, a 90-minute ride overlooking Woolacombe and Combesgate beaches, or a full instruction session for young riders aged four years and over. More experienced riders can take a beach ride or sand dune hack.
Paint your own pottery at the Waves Ceramic Studio. Great for rainy days, you can select what you’d like to paint. All equipment is provided from brushes, sponges and stencils to design books. Your masterpiece will be ready for collection (or posted to you) in one to two days, having been glazed and fired.
Getting There
From the north and east, drive along the M4/M5 to junction 27, then take the A361 to Barnstaple. Avoid the A39 coast road through Exmoor National Park, because there are some 1:4 hills at Porlock, Countisbury and Barbrook that are not suitable for cars towing caravans. That said, this is a rather spectacular road to enjoy with wonderful views across the Exmoor coastline on a day out once you’ve pitched your van on site.
The A361 is a reasonably fast, straight road with sections of dual-carriageway (and speed cameras) plus plenty of places to pull off for a cuppa. Beyond Barnstaple the approach roads to Woolacombe – the A361 and the B3343 – become narrower but perfectly passable, if taken at an appropriate speed.
The roads between Woolacombe and Mortehoe and also Woolacombe and Georgeham are unsuitable for caravans – when towing, only approach the village via the B3343.
