North Devon AONB

The North Devon AONB isn't one attraction you tick off - it's the whole landscape. Stretching across the Devon coast from Combe Martin to the Taw and Torridge estuaries, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 55 square miles of proper coastal drama. High red sandstone cliffs, hidden coves, and rolling farmland fall away to the sea. You won't find a visitor centre or admission booth because you're already in it the moment you arrive.

What makes it special is the walking. The South West Coast Path cuts right through, offering some of England's best coastal footwork - Morte Point near Woolacombe is worth the leg ache, and the Taw estuary walk near Barnstaple is gentler if you've got younger legs in tow. Families tend to base themselves at Woolacombe Sands or Golden Sands Touring Park (the latter gets solid reviews) and day-trip into the AONB rather than treating it as a single destination. History buffs will want Baggy Point, where Iron Age cliff forts sit above the waves.

Timing matters. Summer brings crowds and makes parking fiddly near the best bits. April or September? Crisp, clear, far fewer people. The whole region works as one: camp at Croyde Bay for three days, walk different stretches each morning, hit a different beach for lunch. Rain is frequent - pack accordingly.

It's free to explore, though car parks charge. Allow half a day minimum to get a proper sense of it, but honestly, a week wouldn't be wasted.