Famed for its maritime heritage and renowned for its shipbuilding history, Appledore is said to have been granted free port status by Queen Elizabeth I in recognition of the many ships and sailors the village supplied to help defeat the Spanish Armada. The thriving local fisherman’s trade lands some of its catch on the quay, where you can purchase the freshest of fish.
Relax on the quayside and enjoy a Hockings ice cream (a local speciality) while you watch the activity on the water as yachts, gigs and sail boats pass you by. You can launch your own boat off the popular slipway and there are rock pools and a small beach for children to paddle and go crabbing. The village boasts a number of welcoming pubs and restaurants, as well as a few local shops, on its quaint narrow streets where you can stop for a coffee or browse the local artists’ wares.
The neighbouring seaside resort of Westward Ho! has an excellent sandy beach, which can be accessed through Northam Burrows, a site of “Special Scientific Interest”. Bideford, the “Little White Town” famed for its pannier market and port, is also just a short car ride away, where you can climb aboard The Oldenburg for a trip to Lundy Island, a peaceful haven for birds and wildlife just off the North Devon coast.