If you haven’t visited the area before and want to check out what to do when you are here, you might also like to read some of our blog posts and check out our full list ‘Activities Guide’ with web links to many of the local attractions.
Amazing Walks
There are lots of walks in the area such as Baggy Point and Down End headland walks and some lovely relaxing dune and beach walks. Further afield are the walks on the North Devon Coast which bring you into the fringes of Exmoor National Park and some stunning walks along rivers, cliffs and ancient woodland. In each lodge are local maps of the area so you can take advantage of the many stunning walks. Check out my blogs for some inspiration and find lots of handy maps in the lodges. https://thegallerylodges.co.uk/index.php/category/walks-near-the-lodges/
Plan a walk on the South West Coast path during your stay:
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/
Visit the National Trust website to see what’s on in this area from Woolacombe to West Exmoor and Arlington Court:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/watersmeet/lists/your-adventure-in-north-devon-starts-here
Find out about local history and wildlife with these detailed local guides from Explore Braunton:
http://www.explorebraunton.org/walks.aspx
The wild and spectacular Lundy Island is accessible by boat, the MS Oldenburg from either Ilfracombe or Bideford. This gem of an island is home to puffins, seals and provides a haven for migratory birds. Days trips run a few days a week in season and we would advise booking ahead.
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland
Great Cycle Rides
Around the lodges is just superb for cycling so do bring your bikes if you can or you can hire cycles at Braunton and try the famous Tarka trail or many of the beautiful coastal cycle rides which are mentioned in my blog posts. We have a secure bike shed you can use. There are many great rides from the lodges, to Instow around the estuary; to Saunton via the Dunes and Beach; Over the hills to Croyde and Putsborough beaches; and a beautiful, level, back country route around the marshes of Braunton , an international UNESCO Biosphere reserve and one of the largest sand dune areas in Europe.
https://thegallerylodges.co.uk/index.php/category/cycle-rides-near-the-lodges/
Tarka Trail and cycling From Braunton
Bike Hire
If you have your own bikes we can provide a bike shed. If you’d like to hire the Braunton village shop is Otter Cycle Hire 01271 813339
Or try Tarka Bikes in Barnstpale http://www.tarkabikes.co.uk/our-prices/
Surfing and Stand Up Paddle Board
At Saunton just 1 mile away you can park up and hire surf boards and get a lesson on how to surf or paddle board. This is the easiest and closest place to hire your surf board and wet suit and get a coffee before you head into the waves. Its also the biggest beach and the more forgiving waves. If you bring your own wet suit we have outside taps for easy washing down at the end of the day.
Surf Board Hire at Saunton Beach https://www.sauntonsurfhire.com/
Surf Lessons at Saunton Beach
http://www.surfsouthwest.com/surf-lessons-saunton
https://www.surf-saunton.co.uk/
also “walking on waves” surf school has a surf school at the beach.
Coasteering
You could also try coasteering at Baggy Point. Join an organised group taht will provide safe equipment and show you the best places to swim and jump. http://surfingcroydebay.co.uk/coasteering-croyde/
https://ultimateadventurecentre.com/activities/coasteering/
Golf
There is a Championship links golf course at Saunton just 1 mile away and across the estuary is the Royal North Devon links course at Westward Ho!.
https://www.sauntongolf.co.uk/
https://www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk/
There are of course other less famous golf clubs around at Barnstaple (Portmore), Woolacombe (Willingcott), and Ilfracombe http://www.ilfracombegolfclub.com/ .
Pilates and Yoga
Yoga and Pilates is becoming increasingly popular in the area and there are 2 studios in Braunton http://www.kendrapilates.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/SeagrassStudio/
Do check the Facebook pages and even text ahead to double check what the up to date timetable is before carrying on though.
You can also try these Yoga sessions out on the beach at Croyde.
https://www.croydeyoga.com/classes
https://www.bayfitness.co.uk/timetable/
For health and well-being treatments try Hands On which has a range of relaxation and therapeutic treatments, including a flotation tank. http://www.handsonclinic.co.uk/
Park Run
There are two Saturday morning Parkruns in the area, Woolacombe Dunes and Rock Park in Barnstaple. Woolacombe is the hardest park run in the country with the ‘dune of dune’ half way round to test your thigh muscles. Meet on Marine Drive in Woolacombe. But don’t be deterred, you can run or walk with a friendly crowd, and exercising besides the sea is a very uplifting way to begin the day. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/woolacombedunes
The other Parkrun is the more traditional Rock park in Barnstaple: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/barnstaple/
Paintings
The lodges are set in the 7 acres of grounds near to Pete Caswell’s Art studio so no trip is complete without a quick visit to the studio where you can take a look at some of the colourful paintings and have a chat with Pete and Julie.
www.petecaswell.co.uk
There are lots of other things to do here as well, wildlife and bird watching, visits to town and not to forget Clovelly over on the Hartland peninsular, which is a popular day out. https://www.clovelly.co.uk/
We have an excellent bus service to take you to most towns in the area.