North Devon Wake Park

The cable system at North Devon Wake Park cuts through the water like something from an action film - you're watching people get dragged behind a mechanical arm while they balance on a board, trying not to face-plant into the Taw Estuary. It's proper intense. The park sits just outside Bideford, and it's the sort of place where you'll see everything from nervous first-timers in a harness to people who actually know what they're doing, carving up the water with alarming confidence.

Wake parks aren't for everyone, which is the honest truth. If you've got teenage kids who are into board sports or you fancy trying something daft yourself, it's worth a look. The skilled riders will absolutely get their money's worth, though absolute beginners might find the learning curve steeper than expected - you'll want lessons unless you've got experience behind you. The facility operates year-round, so you're not bound by summer season nonsense.

For a park holiday in the area, this works well alongside the excellent campsite options nearby - Roeys Retreat is barely over a mile away, and Broad Park Camping sits a short drive off. It's the sort of activity that breaks up a seaside week nicely without eating an entire day, though check ahead for opening hours and whether lessons are available when you're planning to visit. The location is genuinely convenient if you're based around Bideford, no mucking about with long drives.