The quaint thatched village of Croyde is well known for its clotted cream, ice cream, tea-rooms and traditional pubs as well as its beach, popular with surfers.
Inland from here is the village of Georgeham, the final resting place of Henry Williamson, the author of Tarka the Otter, whose love of this area has been shared with so many.
Croyde is best known for its beach and with its wide sheltered bay with a long broad sweep of golden sands offers safe bathing and excellent surfing. The beach is privately owned and is well kept and patrolled by lifeguards between May and September and has the prestigious Seaside Award. The adjoining National Trust land provides delightful walking with excellent views. cycling, Horse riding, golf and tennis are all available locally.
The beach at Croyde
A World famous sandy beach, backed by sand
dunes and situated in a small bay on the North Devon Coast. The stepped
beach and rocks make it one of the best surfing in Europe.
Croyde
The beach is Blue Flag awarded for its water quality and facilities.
The beach is very popular with swimmers, surfers and sunbathers for all
ages.
Croyde
A lifeguard and first aid service is provided by the local council from
May to September between 10am and 6pm. At all times, if swimming, follow
the flags and advice of the lifeguards. At other times help can be summoned
via the beach shops. There are Safety notices at all three entrances
to the beach.
Croyde
Croyde dates back to the 17th century and some of the thatched cottages that were built around that time still remain, giving Croyde much of its old world charm.
One of the most famous recent residents was the author of Tarka The Otter, Henry Williamson who came to neighbouring Georgeham in 1921.
Croyde Beach
Croyde is a picturesque village that has lost little of it's feel of "bygone days". A popular holiday destination for families and surfers, as there are good sandy beaches close at hand, which also offer some fine surfing. The rugged coastline around Croyde makes for pleasant coastal walks in the vicinity of Baggy Point. An ideal spot for watching sea birds and catching the occasional glimpse of seals just off the rocks.
Croyde's award winning sandy beach is just around the corner from Saunton Sands, but because it is smaller it can get crowded. However it is easily accessible, there is plenty of car parking and it is excellent for swimming, surfing, windsurfing etc. The beach is manned with lifeguards. At one end of the beach there is equipment hire, a shop, refreshments and toilets. From here the beach is wheelchair accessible.
Beach Type: Sandy - Dogs: No
dogs permitted - Lifeguards
Very popular surfing and family activity beach backed by sand dunes.
Car Park |
Toilets |
Café (Shop) |
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Local Shops |
Inn |
Seasonal Life Guard |
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Seasonal Dog Ban |
Premier Family Beach |
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Rock Pools / Wildlife |
Walks |
Award Beach |
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Croyde Village dates back to pre Saxon times and is one of the prettiest villages in Devon with many thatched cottages. Croyde is named after the Norse Raider Crydda who landed in Croyde Bay, and each year the village celebrates its Viking origins with a Viking Festival held in June.
The village is well known for its ice cream and clotted cream shops, and there are many cafes and pubs serving traditional fayre.
Croyde is also home to the Rock and Gem Museum which contains a unique collection of rocks, gems and shells from all over the world.
Georgeham can be found on a little coastal road near Croyde, south of Ilfracombe. It was noted only as "Ham" in the Domesday Book. The church in the village is dedicated to St. George and was rebuilt in 1876. There are signs of a church having existed in 1261 and a 13th century font was discovered in 1967. The church contains an interesting effigy of a medieval knight thought to be a local landowner. Encompassing the churchyard is Millie's Cottage (featured in a BBC documentary of the area) built in 1678 by Ian Fletcher for his wife Elizabeth (Millie).
Henry Williamson, author of "Tarka the Otter" lived in Georgeham in Skirr Cottage which is now a private dwelling, and also had a hut at Oxford Cross which he used for solitude when writing.
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