North Devon AONB tourist information

Visit North Devon

The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty runs along the coast from the border between Cornwall and Devon, as far as Combe Martin on the western edge of Exmoor, and includes more than 170 square kilometres of dramatic coastal landscapes and attractive countryside.

The Braunton Biosphere, a UNESCO listed and carefuly managed and protected landscape, also falls within the region - see Braunton (between Woolacombe and Barnstable).

Largely falling within the protection of the National Trust, the coastal scenery is typically coastal cliffs broken up by coves and sandy beaches - there is a great deal to enjoy in the countryside and along the coast, and plenty of walks and trails available that will enable you to enjoy it.

The region combines various opportunities for visitors:

- there are many sandy beaches and coves to explore,

- there are the more developed seaside resorts at, for example, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe - these are both in the north-eastern section of the AONB

- there are lots of small 'off the beaten track' villages, hamlets and port towns to discover (see list further down)

- coastal walks and nature trails through the region are the best way to appreciate the grandeur of the landscapes

- cycling, horse-riding, golf etc are also all available close to hand

Towns and villages in North Devon AONB

Some of the towns and villages that fall within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) include (heading from south-west to north-east): Welcombe; Hartland; the pedestrian harbour village at Clovelly; the established resort at Westward Ho!, the popular and extensive sandy beach at Saunton; the surfing beach at Croyde; Georgeham; Mortehoe; Lee Bay and Combe Martin. There are many others just waiting to be discovered both in the AONB and along its southern edge into the rest of Devon.