Bideford

The old bridge stretches across the Torridge like something from a picture postcard, but this North Devon market town has a proper working character that goes well beyond pretty views. Bideford built its fortune on tobacco and timber imports, and you can still sense that maritime history in the narrow streets that tumble down to the quayside.

Wander the compact town centre and you'll find independent shops holding their own against the usual high street suspects. The weekly pannier market brings a bit of life to the old streets, though things can feel quiet midweek outside summer. What really draws people here is the position - perched on the Torridge estuary with both coast and countryside within easy reach.

Hartland Quay offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Devon, where Atlantic waves crash against towering cliffs. It's about a 20-minute drive through winding lanes, but the views are worth every twist and turn. Closer to town, the network of ancient woodlands makes for lovely walking - Berry Hill Wood and Ladies' Walk Wood are particularly fine, while Mill Pond provides a gentler stroll.

St Nectan's Church sits in peaceful countryside nearby, and the curious Pleasure House Folly adds a touch of Georgian whimsy to the landscape. Multiple wooded areas like Great Church Plantation and Cheristow Wood offer endless rambling opportunities through proper Devon countryside.

Bideford sits roughly halfway between Barnstaple and the Cornish border, making it a cracking base for exploring this stretch of coast. The A39 Atlantic Highway runs right past, and you're 20 minutes from Westward Ho! or Clovelly. Several holiday parks dot the surrounding area, from glamping sites to traditional caravan parks, giving you options for different budgets while keeping the town's pubs and restaurants within easy reach.