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Five things to do in Bideford and East-the-Water for the whole family to enjoy

27 May 2022

North Devon is a beautiful part of the South West. Popular for its award-winning coastline bordered by miles of golden sands, tantalising restaurants and thrilling family attractions, it’s no wonder North Devon is a top spot for house hunters.

We have just started construction at our brand-new Bideford site, The Grange, but Devonshire Homes is no stranger to North Devon. Our last development, Mazzard View in Landkey, was extremely popular with house hunters, not only because of the high-quality new build homes we offer, but for the desirable location too.

Interested in our new homes at The Grange but not so familiar with the local area? Let us take you on a whistle-stop tour. Here, we reveal our top five things to do in Bideford and East-the-Water.

1) Get on your bike and explore the local area

There’s no better way to explore North Devon than by bike. Visit Bideford Bicycle Hire on Torrington Street in East-the-Water and choose from a variety of bikes from tandems to mountain bikes, trikes to hybrids. From here, you can explore the beautiful Tarka Trail, the longest, continuous off-road cycle path in the UK. Inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter in the famous novel, the route takes in beautiful countryside and the picturesque North Devon coastline.

Only a 20-minute walk away from The Grange, Bideford Bicycle Hire is the place to head to when you have guests to stay so that you can show off your new neighbourhood. With adult bike hire from just £10, it’s the perfect activity if you are on a budget.

2) Enjoy a fresh and seasonal meal at Number Eight

If you love dining out, Bideford is the place to be as the town is blessed with several wonderful restaurants. A particular favourite of ours is Number Eight, close to the bridge which links Bideford to East-the-Water.

Offering the very best in seasonal, fresh produce, Number Eight’s menu will have you rushing to book a table. You can look forward to a variety of dishes which are all impeccably presented, perfect for those who like to share their culinary delights on their Instagram feed! The menu changes regularly, but in the past, dishes include Scallop served with Rhubarb and Artichoke and Cod served in Coconut, Chilli and Ginger.

With such a celebrated restaurant on your doorstep which has received a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award, we bet Number Eight will become your new favourite restaurant if you reserve a home at The Grange.

3) Visit The Big Sheep for an all-weather, action-packed day

Perfect for kids, The Big Sheep is North Devon’s family amusement park just a 10-minute drive away from The Grange.

You won’t be short of things to do here. Enjoy an adrenalin rush on Rampage, the 13m high rollercoaster, watch as skilled Border Collies round up Indian running ducks, learn about sheep from around the world in the indoor show arena and let the kids run wild in the Ewetopia indoor playground.

With annual memberships available, you could enjoy Big Sheep fun all year round.

4) Escape to picture perfect Clovelly

A little further up the road is Clovelly, a beautiful fishing village which is famous for its cobbled streets and chocolate box cottages. Still only a 25-minute drive away from The Grange, this village makes for the perfect day out.

You’ll find no cars clogging the roads here as Clovelly does not allow traffic, only donkeys and sledges. Wander down the cobbled street which tumbles down to the ancient fishing harbour and C14th quay. Along the way, enjoy flower-strewn cottages, winding lanes and secret passageways which all ooze Clovelly charm.

As Clovelly is a privately-owned village, there is a small entrance fee which goes towards the essential maintenance and upkeep that comes with an ancient village. Click here for more information and to book online.

5) Take to the South West Coast Path with your pooch

Are you a dog owner looking for your next home at The Grange? You may then be interested in things to do in Bideford with dogs before you make the move to reserve. Well, we have good news. You will be spoilt for choice as there are plenty of cafes, pubs, restaurants and attractions in Bideford and the surrounding area which are dog-friendly.

We love nothing better than exploring North Devon’s beautiful coastline with our four-legged friends by our sides. You’ll have easy access to some of North Devon’s top dog-friendly beaches including Saunton Sands, Woolacombe Beach and Westward Ho!

Seeking a longer dog walk? Take to the South West Coast Path! Visit the website and plot your route. Much of the path can be taken in as circular walks which will elevate you high above the cliffs, giving you stunning views of the North Devon coastline.

We hope you have found our top five things to do in Bideford useful. If you are looking to move to this beautiful part of the South West, our new build homes at The Grange, East-the-Water, will be released for sale in summer 2022. Click here to register your interest and you will be the first to know when these homes are live on our website.