Wondering where the best beaches and places to visit with your children in Woolacombe are when holidaying at No. 9 Putsborough? Here we share our top ideas for families for a holiday filled with fun and laughter.

Borough Farm
A lively evening for all the family on Wednesdays during the summer months at Borough Farm. See the amazing sheepdogs round up the ducks and a wonderful display of Owls, Hawks and lightning fast Falcons weave their way around the audience. Worth every penny!
Where? 6 minutes’ drive; Borough Farm, Mortehoe, Woolacombe EX34 7HE
Visit their website: Borough Farm
Funder Island
A bit of retro fun! Within an easy stroll of No.9 Putsborough you will find Funder Island with its 18 hole pirate themed crazy golf (watch out, it can get competitive!), water bumper boats, racing cars and more. Top it off with a super sundae or waffle. Simple seaside fun….
Where? 5 minutes stroll; Barton Road, Woolacombe, EX34 7BA
Visit their website: Funder Island


Rock Pooling
For little adventurers there are some great places to go rock pooling in Woolacombe to discover starfish, crabs, anemones, snails and limpets.
Combesgate Beach has lots of family-friendly rockpools – during the summer months, they hold rockpool rambles with the beach rangers too (sometimes at night!).
Nearby Barricane beach is famous for exotic seashells which get washed up from the Caribbean – and also for the Beach Cafe serving cakes and sandwiches during the day, and authentic Sri Lankan curries in the evening. But even without those two attractions, there are some lovely rock pools between the wide expanses of sand here too. This is where we found these starfish!
Where? 10 minutes stroll; The Esplanade, Woolacombe
Visit their website: Rock Pooling in Woolacombe
Woody Bay Steam Train
Take a trip back in time and journey across the wilds of Exmoor aboard a beautifully restored steam locomotive dating back to Victorian times. Dogs are very welcome to travel with the whole family too (although not on the seats). Ready to climb aboard?
Where? 30 minutes’ drive; Martinehoe Cross, Parracombe EX31 4RA
Visit their website: Woody Bay Steam Train


Ilfracombe Aquarium
If you and your kids are interested in getting better acquainted with the local marine life, take a 10 minute drive to Ilfracombe Aquarium. It may be small but it’s perfectly formed and every animal and plant in the aquarium (up to 75 species) is from British waters including octopus, sea anemones and crabs.
Grab an activity sheet or catch feeding time; it’s a perfect pitstop when visiting the pretty harbour town of Ilfracombe and Damien Hirst’s ‘Verity’.
Where? 10 minutes drive; The Old Lifeboat House, The Pier, Ilfracombe EX34 9EQ
Visit their website: Ilfracombe Aquarium
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
This fun wildlife and dinosaur park is a great option for younger children. It has an indoor play centre, and when the weather brightens up, you can get involved with the birds and animals. Join the wolves for feeding time, meet the meerkats and watch the sea lion show.
Where? 25 minutes’ drive; Combe Martin EX34 0NG
Visit their website: Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park


And of course, don’t forget the beaches!
Within 150m and easy walking distance of No. 9 Putsborough, Woolacombe Beach is home to soft sand and huge dunes and is the perfect place for setting up camp for the day. Stretching for 3 miles, kids will have a blast running along the beach and splashing in the sea. We have a whole array of beach gear at No. 9 Putsborough which our guests can use from Tommy Bahama beach chairs, buckets and spades to handmade bellyboards for fun in the waves! Dogs are allowed all year round, but between May and September, they can’t go within certain zones. They’re clearly signposted so you won’t fail to spot them. Stay for sunset to experience truly incredible views.
Where? 5 minutes’ walk; Woolacombe EX34 7BG
Visit their website: Woolcombe Beach
Imagine enjoying the magic of a fun filled family holiday whilst staying in the best boutique self-catering apartment in Woolacombe – book your stay at No. 9 Putsborough now.
