Short answer: Appledore is a working village rather than a holiday one, so it has life in it on 1 January. Four pubs sit within a few minutes' walk, and the quay where two rivers meet costs nothing.
The quay and Irsha Street, where the Taw and the Torridge meet the sea. Short, flat and genuinely lovely in January light. Twenty minutes does the whole village.
For something longer, cross to Instow for the sandy beach, or join the Tarka Trail — flat, paved and mud-free. The seasonal ferry will not be running, so it is a short drive round.
For a village this size, four pubs is a remarkable hand on 1 January:
Almost everywhere opens later than usual on New Year's Day, and some places do not open at all. Ring in the morning rather than assuming.
Instow across the estuary is the sheltered option and the one people actually use. The open coast at Westward Ho! is ten minutes away if you want weather with it.
New Year's Day swims on this coast are organised by lifeboat crews, surf clubs and pubs rather than councils, and most are announced in the last fortnight of December on local Facebook pages. Check there rather than expecting a listing.
If you are getting in: the sea is colder on 1 January than at any point in the summer, cold water shock is the real risk rather than the temperature itself, and it is worth going in with people rather than alone. Walk in, do not dive, and get warm clothes on quickly afterwards.
The streets are extremely narrow and driving down into them on a wet January morning is how people end up reversing back out. Use the car park at the top and walk down.
See the full Appledore guide, filtered by who's with you.
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