Real, curated ideas for Westward Ho! — the big sandy beach, the pebble ridge, the surf and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Westward Ho! is the only place in Britain with an exclamation mark in its name, taken from the Charles Kingsley novel the resort was built to cash in on. It is unashamedly a holiday village, and the beach it was built for is genuinely excellent — two miles of flat sand with reliable surf on the right swell.
The pebble ridge behind the sand is the geological oddity worth knowing about: a huge natural bank of cobbles thrown up by longshore drift, which you cross to reach the little café at the far end. It is a proper trudge and worth doing.
Practically: parking is £8 for the day whether you stay one hour or eight, which annoys people who just want a short walk. There are arcades, a playground and doughnut stands near the front. Instow and Appledore are both a few minutes away for a quieter afternoon.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Five minutes inland — animal shows, indoor play, a rollercoaster and lamb feeding in spring. The nearest full family day out, and the obvious answer when the wind comes off the Atlantic. Reduced timetable outside school holidays.
The flat traffic-free estuary path, joined via Bideford or Instow — paved, benched and genuinely usable with a buggy or wheelchair as well as a bike. Refreshment stops in both directions and river views throughout.
Big glass-fronted restaurant above the bay with window tables looking straight out to sea, doing a carvery alongside a full menu with gluten-free options. Generous portions and good value. Dogs in the bar. Book, and confirm your booking.
Spacious bar, garden and restaurant at Latitude 51 with beach views, very good wheelchair and mobility-scooter access, and enormous portions at fair prices. The spiced lamb burger gets named repeatedly. Order the smaller plates unless you are hungry.
A country pub up the hill from the village, walkable from the beach, doing pork belly bites people come back specifically for, steaks and a good Sunday roast. Dogs in the bar and outside. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Ten minutes round at Instow, facing the estuary — mussels rated the best in north Devon, lobster, good cocktails and the best sunset seat in the area. Open from nine. Book for evenings.