Northway Court, Devon, England

Discover Devon

Whether you’re seeking adventure, experiences, culture or some simple R&R, Devon is the place. This diverse county offers everything: from the bustling historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth, to the varied coastlines north and south, the abundance of natural landscapes and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), the popular English Riviera and much else besides.

North Devon features unparalleled sea views; and the coast is a magnet for surfers and watersports lovers. For those more drawn to the rural there is no shortage of countryside to explore, and the Exmoor National Park lies just 20 miles or so to the north-east of Bideford, close to HPB’s newest development.

Since 2002, the Holiday Property Bond has owned Lower Knapp Farm near Honiton, south Devon: 16 beautiful holiday units deep in the heart of the bucolic tranquillity of the Devonshire countryside.

But as of May 3rd 2024, to that can be added a further 18 magnificent holiday properties to the north of the county, with jaw-dropping views over Bideford Bay.

Because Northway Court is open, and has already welcomed its first guests.

We were delighted to be joined on Opening Day by former French Open tennis champion, TV presenter, Bondholder, “Face of the Holiday Property Bond” and native Devonian Sue Barker CBE, who unveiled the commemorative plaque and had a tour of the new site.

Beaches

Northway Court enjoys an absolutely stunning location, overlooking Peppercombe Beach on the North Devon coast. The walk to the beach is lovely too – a half-hour stroll through glorious National Trust countryside. Meanwhile Saunton Sands, a huge stretch of unspoilt beach, lies about 20 miles to the north (considerably less as the crow flies).

Urban, but friendly; and steeped in history

Six miles or so to the east, Bideford is one of the prettiest and most distinct-looking towns in North Devon with a fascinating history to match its disarming beauty. It’s a friendly place to be, with so many places to stop and take in the river views, great pubs, cafes, and fish & chip shops lining the Quay.

Barnstaple, about nine miles further on, is one of the UK’s oldest boroughs. One of the most famous heritage attractions in Barnstaple is the 1,000-year-old Pannier Market (Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm) which plays host to a range of events – from regular markets to showcases of delicious local produce and incredible street food.

Family fun

In Bideford, you’ll find family-friendly theme parks such as the Milky Way and the Big Sheep; the Ultimate Adventure Centre for the more intrepid; and plenty of museums and galleries for culture and history fans.

A mecca for golfers

Golfers, meanwhile, will make a beeline for Westward Ho! and the Royal North Devon Golf Club, seven miles or so north-east: a proper links course with excellent greens. Founded in 1864, the Royal North Devon can justly claim to be the oldest golf course in England and is regarded as the St Andrews of the south. The course is as challenging as any of the UK’s more famous links layouts and has recently been included in Golf World’s “Top 100 courses in the world”.

On-site amenities

• Indoor heated swimming pool plus sauna
• Mini golf
• Children’s play area
• Tennis court
• Bike store
• Communal laundry

Northway Court properties

Holidaymakers can take their pick from a choice of eight one-bedroom apartments/cottages, five two-bedroom cottages and five three-bedroom cottages. Eight properties are pet-friendly, three are suitable for those with limited mobility, and one has been adapted for use by accompanied wheelchair users.

Things to do in Devon

Watch the birdies!

About eight miles north, near the Royal North Devon Golf Club, the Northam Burrows Reserve is a vast wildlife-rich expanse of grassy plains, sand-dunes, snady shoreline and saltmarshes grazed by horses and sheep. Birdwatchers can see wheatear, linnet, pied wagtail, stonechat, curlew and little egret.

A must for naturalists

Take a trip to Lundy Island, a two-hour boat trip from Bideford: the UK’s first Marine Nature Reserve and home to the biggest seabird colony in the southwest; guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill, Manx shearwater and Atlantic puffins are amongst its inhabitants and regular visitors. In summer you might see basking sharks, grey seals, spiny lobsters and pink sea fans.

A price worth paying

The pretty, historic village of Clovelly, six miles to the west, is privately owned – you have to pay to enter it. But it is absolutely worth the price of admission; not least because the cobbled streets are so steep that supplies are delivered by sledge. You can see big bread baskets on runners leaning outside homes. Water Babies author Charles Kingsley spent much of his early life here and you can visit his former home.

Gardens of delight

Run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the enchanting gardens at Rosemoor, 11 miles to the east, are a vivid, fragrant oasis of colour and a must-see source of green-fingered inspiration. The gardens’ wealth of styles range from arboreta and croquet lawns to shade, terrace and town gardens. Other highlights include the fruit and vegetable section, tree ferns, bananas and ginger lilies.

Art for art’s sake

Hidden away in a wooded valley, Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, 18 miles north-east, boast hundreds of quirky sculptures – from slivers of burnished steel to painted columns and a series of mystical, mythical figures popping out from behind trees. It’s a magical, fairy-tale experience.

Walks around Northway Court

Northway Court is surrounded by fabulous walking and hiking country – some of the best in the British Isles, with the Halsdon Nature Reserve about 16 miles south-east, Exmoor National Park some 24 miles east, and of course that marvellous coastline; a stretch of the South West Coast Path passes nearby. Depending on your preference, be prepared for encounters with seals, dolphins, porpoises, Exmoor ponies, ospreys, and more – all against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty.