Bideford campsites

The many wonderful attractions both in and close to the town make Bideford a great getaway destination for families, nature lovers and outdoorsy people alike. The must-see list includes the stunning Westward Ho! Beach, which offers Blue Flag sands and lifeguard cover in the summer months to keep everyone safe.

Sauntan Sands is also just a short drive away and offers three miles of golden sands in pretty surroundings, while Instow Beach also has impressive sand dunes to explore.

Lundy Island is only a short boat ride away and is a great place to see an incredible range of seabirds and spot seals. If you get the chance to visit, you certainly won't regret it.

Back inshore, kids and adults will love the BIG Sheep centre, which has live animal shows, tractor rides and Devon's longest rollercoaster - The Rampage. Atlantis Adventure Park features a pirate ship adventure playground and is great for a rainy day too. Kids will love meeting birds of prey at North Devon Falconry too.

Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Center, located in Bideford, offers a range of outdoors activities including kayaking, zip lining, rock climbing and much more. Likewise, Ultimate Adventure Centre offers lots of activities including surfing and coasteering to mountain boarding and even a high ropes course.

For something less frenetic, Hartland Abbey and Gardens is a lovely way to spend an afternoon while exploring their beautiful house and gardens, or you could go for a walk in Northam Burrows Country Park with its protected area of outstanding natural beauty. There are miles of wonderful walks to enjoy on the South West Coast Path too of course.

Those who love museums and galleries should make time to explore the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, or perhaps the Dartington Crystal Glass centre to see artisans at work blowing glass and making ceramics.

Billed as a "hobby which got out of hand", a visit to the Cobbaton Combat Collection (situated less than 15 miles from town) offers a fascinating insight into World War II hardware.

Other interesting places nearby include the RHS Garden Rosemoor, which offers stunning botanical gardens, the North Devon Heritage Coast and the town of Barnstaple and Exmoor Zoo to name just a few.