North Devon National Landscape

The North Devon National Landscape stretches across some genuinely stunning coastal and rural terrain, and if you're camping nearby - Ruda Holiday Park and Ocean Pitch are practically on the doorstep - you've landed in one of the southwest's best-kept corners. This isn't a single attraction you tick off in an afternoon. It's the whole landscape itself: rolling farmland, dramatic cliff walks, and proper working beaches where families actually swim rather than photograph.

What makes it work is the variety. From Braunton, you can access the Taw and Torridge Estuary, which is brilliant for birdwatchers and anyone who enjoys a gentle riverside walk. The sand dunes at Braunton Burrows are extraordinary - a rare habitat that's protected as a nature reserve. If you're after coastal drama, the cliffs towards Morte Point will satisfy that craving. Kids won't get bored. There's room to explore properly, not just shuffle between gift shops.

Timing matters. Summer weekends cram the beaches, particularly near Woolacombe and Croyde Bay where the holiday parks cluster. Go mid-week or shoulder season if you can. The landscape costs nothing - it's all accessible on foot or bike - though you might pay for parking at popular spots.

Golden Sands Touring Park (3 miles away, highly rated) makes a solid base if the seafront sites are full. You get the coastal access without the constant crowd pressure of Devon's busier resorts. Real countryside breathing room, but close enough to proper amenities when you need them.