Cascades

Chlorine and echoing voices fill the air at this indoor swimming complex just outside Braunton. The Cascades offers that classic municipal pool experience - lanes for serious swimmers, a separate teaching pool, and enough space for families to splash about without getting in each other's way. Nothing fancy, but it does the job well enough when the Devon weather turns.

Families staying at nearby holiday parks like Ruda or Ocean Pitch will find it handy for rainy days. The kids' area keeps younger ones happy for an hour or two, though don't expect waterslides or wave machines. This is proper swimming rather than theme park thrills.

What makes it worth considering is the location - you're barely five minutes from some of Devon's best beaches at Croyde and Woolacombe. When the surf's too rough or the sand too cold, Cascades provides a decent backup plan. The changing facilities are adequate and parking shouldn't be an issue.

Serious swimmers will appreciate having lanes available, while parents get that peace of mind that comes with lifeguards on duty. It's the sort of place that serves a purpose rather than providing an experience, but sometimes that's exactly what you need on a family holiday along this stretch of coast.