Hidden gems – Woolacombe

I know Woolacombe is already a well known destination for families, but I have to admit to not having had fond memories of it until recently, so for me it has until now at least been a hidden gem.

I had previously only been to Woolacombe once before, about ten years ago. It was one of those Monday-Friday breaks with coupons, in a caravan, in what turned out to be possibly one of the coldest Aprils known to man. Or at least it felt like it to me. We stayed on a small caravan park with fairly uninspiring facilities and at night had the dilemma of whether to put the extra blankets on the beds or up over the windows to try and block out some of the draughts.

Belle was about 9 months old at the time, waking about 27 times a night, not helped by a cold. The one day we ventured into Woolacombe all I can remember is my partner at the time insisting we get sausage rolls from Greggs and making us eat them, huddled on a windswept bench, before letting us all run back to the car to warm up.

Fortunately this rather bleak image couldn’t be further from the break Belle and I enjoyed at Twitchen House, a Woolacombe Bay park, a couple of weekends ago.

Woolacombe Bay

The evening view from our caravan

There was definitely no extra blanket requirement as the weather was scorchingly hot and perfect for lounging around by the outdoor pool. The great thing about Twitchen Park is that although it’s very peaceful and relaxed, you get to take advantage of all the facilities at the other three Woolacombe Bay parks in the area free of charge, so can go for an afternoon of crazy water fun and then back home for a lie down.

Woolacombe

The outdoor pool at Twitchen Park

With our full day on Saturday though we went for an expedition to the beach, as the park is just a beautiful 30 minute stroll through the woods to the coast. Equipped with a brand new bucket and spade from the park shop we set off, sandwich spread sandwiches ready to enjoy, sandy and sweaty, later in the day.

The walk really was lovely, and by the time we came out of the woodland and into open fields we could see the sea glinting teasingly in the sunshine.

Woolacombe

Emerging from the woods to a view of the sea

Our walk took us along the coast path for a little while, the high tide turning all of the nooks and crannies along the water’s edge into gorgeous little individual bays. The water was just beautiful – from our high position, looking down into this bay, you could have been absolutely anywhere, it was just stunning.

Woolacombe

I don’t think I need to say anything about this do I? No, I didn’t think so.

We carried on along the path towards the main area of beach as Belle was keen to get a body board and enjoy the water. I even did my good mummy bit and helped her to build a sand car.

Sand car

All ready to drive back to the park.

One of our favourite bits at the beach was early afternoon when a plane went overhead, pulling a banner that said ‘Diana will U marry me?’ I did feel a little bit for all the non-committal men on the beach with girlfriends called Diana, but it was worth it I reckon.

So there we go – my feelings for Woolacombe have been restored thanks to a lovely weekend away and I suspect a new love affair has begun. Woolacombe, will U marry me?

I wrote this post partly as a thank you to Twitchen House for inviting Belle and I to stay for the weekend and partly as an entry into a competition to win a week in a Tuscan villa! Find out more about the competition here.

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5 Comments

  1. 1 August, 2013 / 6:29 pm

    your pictures look amazing! so glad you had a lovely time. One thing though..sandwich spread sandwiches?? now I thinking I remember you also instagramming a cold beans sarni too? If you didn’t think my vegan chocolate cake was so yummy I would say your food choices are awful! ;) xx

  2. 2 August, 2013 / 6:46 am

    looks splendid we just came back form cornwall and had a lovely time too. ah sunny days

  3. 2 August, 2013 / 7:15 am

    Lucky you. We went a few weekends ago, to Woolacombe, to one of the other parks in this group and had to leave a day early! The yobs in the tent next to us were so hideous (drunk in charge of young children, filthy, etc etc) we couldn’t bear to stay a moment longer. The beach at Woolacombe is indeed beautiful but it was covered in jelly fish and no signs or info explaining if they were poisonous or not so we avoided them. The food in Woolacombe was terrible; all chips and pasties. Even the tapas bar was serving frozen prawns and got very defensive when we asked if they were fresh. Sadly Woolacombe is catering to the lowest common denominator and until it raises its game, improves the standard of restaurants and generally becomes a 2013 holiday resort it’s not going to be getting anymore visits from me.

  4. 2 August, 2013 / 3:25 pm

    Beautiful looking spot, I am considering Woolacoombe Bay for next summer so lovely to see all the reviews. xx

  5. Victoria Myers
    17 August, 2013 / 2:20 pm

    Just got back from woolacombe. It was lovely for a family holiday. Barricane beach fab for rock pooling. And a fab cafe.

    We stayed at woolacombe sands the caravan was clean and tidy we didn’t use the club as that’s not our thing. Its a ten minute stroll to the village and main beach.

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