Rescue Helicopter Viewing Area

Standing on this clifftop spot near Ilfracombe, you can watch the coastguard helicopter go about its vital work along Devon's dramatic coastline. The viewing area gives you a proper vantage point to see rescues in action when they happen - though obviously you're hoping they don't. When the helicopter isn't scrambled, you get cracking views across the Bristol Channel towards Wales.

Kids absolutely love this place. There's something thrilling about watching a bright yellow Sea King or newer AgustaWestland aircraft thunder overhead, even during training flights. The noise alone gets them excited, and spotting one coming back from a shout adds real drama to a coastal walk.

Being outdoors and exposed, it's not somewhere to linger in rough weather. Best visited on clear days when visibility is good - you want to actually see the helicopter against the sky rather than squinting through drizzle. Allow about thirty minutes unless you get lucky and witness an actual rescue operation.

Location-wise, it slots well into a north Devon holiday. Hidden Valley Touring Park and the other camping spots around Ilfracombe put you within easy reach, and you can combine it with the town's harbour walks or a trip up to the lighthouse. Proper slice of real-life drama rather than theme park thrills.