A Dog Friendly Stay Near Exmoor at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks
If you’re visiting North Devon, there are few better places to enjoy the sun, sea and surf than Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks. This fun, friendly and completely dog friendly spot is the perfect place to explore all the wonders of Exmoor.
If you’re new to this blog, then my stay in Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks came as part of my recent 10-week-long ‘A Walk in the Parks‘ adventure. During this 10-week tour of 10 National Parks (spanning approx 1000 miles), I had the opportunity to explore all of the UK’s world-renowned natural landscapes.
By the time I visited Exmoor, I was 9 weeks (and 9 parks) into the challenge. So, although I was pretty shattered, I was definitely on a high!
At this stage in my journey, the Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks really ticked the boxes. I was able to secure a caravan with a huge amount of space, and plenty of comfortable, homely facilities. Plus, as I rested after the long days of walking, I could take in the site’s panoramic beach views.
If you’re looking for a dog friendly place to stay right by the beaches of Exmoor, then I’d highly recommend Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks.
I was gifted a two night stay here, but as always opinions are my own.
Visiting Exmoor National Park
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks are perched right by the edge of Exmoor National Park. From my caravan, I was able to get two short buses in the morning into the National Park, ready for me to start the penultimate park in my challenge.
Exmoor is an extraordinary park, with a huge variety of natural landscapes, including everything from wild moorland to dazzling coastlines.
A walk through the park takes you through dense wooded forests one minute, then along a dramatic sea cliff the next.
Thanks to the diversity of its landscapes, Exmoor also boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna, including otters, red deer, and its famous herds of wild Exmoor ponies.
What’s more, walks around Exmoor can be easily tweaked to suit the level of difficulty that you’re after. For instance, you can take a leisurely stroll along the easier parts of the South West Coast Path, or hike through the forests and moorland.
Best Dog Friendly Caravan Park in Exmoor
Accommodation At Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks are located right by the edge of Exmoor National Park, but (offering the best of both worlds) are also a short walk away from the beach. So, for families and travellers with four-legged friends, you’re pretty spoiled for choice!
I decided to stay at the Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks because, after 10 weeks of walking and staying in hotels across the country, I was ready to stay somewhere that offered a bit more space (than your standard hotel room).
The caravan had three rooms, plus a kitchen, living space and bathroom. It was terrible weather during the week I was staying there, with a crazy storm and endless rain, so I was extremely thankful to have more space to hang out in.
The team provided me with all the essentials, including an initial cleaning pack (with washing up liquid, a cleaning cloth and a tea towel), bedding for the room, and towels.
If you’re staying for longer, you probably need to bring a few of your own things too. Some people turn up with a car full of stuff, others just bring the essentials. You can buy anything missing at the shop on site, or just head into the local town for anything else you might need.
If I’d been staying here for longer, there was the option to upgrade the caravan to a larger space. The Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks caravan range can include a wide variety of extra luxuries, including decking, gas BBQs and even private outdoor hot tubs!
For Cookie, the site was super dog friendly, and the caravan itself came with a bed, blanket, and toys, along with plenty of tasty treats.
Facilities At Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks
Unfortunately, the weather was pretty atrocious during this leg of my trip!
But, I was really impressed by the wide range of facilities that were offered at the Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks. If you’re here for a trip with the family, you can be sure there’ll never be a dull moment!
The complex has a swimming pool, spa, shop, games and many more. Plus, there was also a great list of evening entertainment options, including films and live music. You book a slot for your swim and I booked mine for 6pm which is adults only and ended up having the pool to myself which was bliss.
There was also easy access to the National Park, and perfect views of the beach wherever you stood in the complex.
Things To Do In North Devon
Pre or post your trek through Exmoor National Park, North Devon is filled with a wide range of other sights that are definitely worth exploring.
From world-renowned beaches to charming rural villages, North Devon is a pretty incomparable staycation destination. Here are some of my top recommendations for things to do in North Devon.
- Check some beaches off the list! – North Devon has some of the most spectacular beaches in the entire UK (in the world, in fact!). So, make sure you save plenty of time for beach walks. Some of my absolute favourites include Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay, and Westward Ho!
- Set sail for Lundy Island – in case you haven’t seen enough of Mother Nature for one trip, Lundy Island is one of North Devon’s best-loved natural landmarks. The island sits just off the Devonshire coast, and is easily accessible via a boat trip. It is an exceptional wildlife haven, and is famous for its flocks of lovable puffins. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you can even book events like guided walks and Snorkel Safaris around the island.
- Explore Clovelly – Clovelly is an absolutely timeless village, which feels like a snapshot of another moment in time. This traditional fishing village is renowned for its iconic cobbled streets and quaint cottages, with a steep downwards descent towards the sea.
- Wander through Braunton Burrows – Braunton Burrows is a UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve, and one of the UK’s largest sand dune systems. It is extremely rich in diversity, with 470 species of flowering plants alone! It also has interesting historical links, as a training site for more than 10,000 American GIs during World War Two.
- Taste the local delicacies – the South West is renowned for its food and drinks scene, with freshly sourced, seasonal ingredients coming from the land and sea. There’s also no shortage of local classics to try, including (of course) authentic Devonshire cider, cream teas, fudge and cheese.
I had a great time staying at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, and it was the perfect spot to curl up and relax during my penultimate park of the ‘Walk in the Parks’ challenge. Next time I’m down in North Devon, I’d definitely visit again. So, if you’re looking for a dog friendly stay in Exmoor, then I would highly recommend Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks.
