Discover Combe Martin: A Family-Friendly Coastal Escape in North Devon
Nestled on the northwest coast of England, Combe Martin combines a friendly village atmosphere with dramatic cliff-backed views, a gently shelving coastline, and easy access to the wild beauty of Exmoor National Park. It’s the kind of place where you can unwind as a family, savor convenient access to shops and eateries, and set out each day to create memorable experiences. For travelers seeking vacation rentals, holiday rentals, or a welcoming Bed and Breakfast accommodation, Combe Martin serves as a practical, safety-conscious base that balances relaxation with adventure.
When planning a stay in Combe Martin, you’ll find a range of options designed to suit every style and budget. Whether you’re after a cozy cottage by the sea, a seaside apartment with modern conveniences, a traditional Bed and Breakfast that serves a hearty breakfast to fuel your days, or a family-sized holiday rental with a little extra space, you’ll discover plenty of choices. For those seeking a seamless booking experience and reliable local listings, SearchandStay.com is a great resource to find accommodations in the area and compare vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and B&Bs all in one place.
Why Combe Martin Makes a Great Base for Vacation Rentals and B&B Stays
Combe Martin offers a blend of natural beauty, safe and walkable streets, and convenient access to both seaside fun and countryside exploration. Its coastline provides easy days at the beach with family-friendly features, while the surrounding lanes and paths invite relaxed strolls, wildlife spotting, and coastal views. If you’re prioritizing safety and convenience, you’ll appreciate the compact village amenities—local shops, welcoming cafes, and reliable transport links—within a short stroll or a brief drive from most accommodations.
For families, couples, and small groups seeking a comforting home base, Combe Martin’s variety of accommodations helps you tailor your stay to your pace. Vacation rentals often come with practical features such as private parking, kitchen facilities, and laundry options, making longer stays or multi-generation trips more enjoyable. Bed and Breakfast options add a traditional touch with a friendly host, convenient breakfast hours, and an inside track to local tips and hidden gems.
Types of Accommodations in Combe Martin: Vacation Rentals, Holiday Lets, and B&Bs
A typical stay in Combe Martin can be wonderfully flexible. Here are some common accommodation styles you’ll encounter, along with tips to help you choose the best fit for your trip:
— Short- and mid-term rentals that feel like a home away from home. Look for properties with dedicated parking, reliable Wi‑Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and comfortable living spaces suitable for families or groups. — Charming, character-filled options with close proximity to the beach or coastal paths. Ideal for morning strolls along the shore and easy access to seafood dining after a day outdoors. — Traditional stays where hosts often share local insights, and breakfast is included. A great way to connect with locals, learn about nearby trails, and plan day trips. — If you’re traveling with a four-legged family member, many properties offer pet-friendly options, with nearby parks and beaches that welcome dogs during seasonal times. — Choose properties with step-free entry, wide doorways, and single-story layouts for easier mobility and convenience for all members of your party.
Regardless of your choice, many listings emphasize safety features, such as secure door locks, well-lit entrances, and child-friendly spaces. When searching for accommodations, filter for parking, proximity to the coast, and family-friendly facilities to ensure a smooth, stress-free stay.
Where to Stay: Practical, Comfortable, and Convenient Options
If you’re prioritizing convenience, look for accommodations that place you within a short walk of the village center, the beach, and local eateries. Parking availability is a common plus in North Devon, where narrow lanes can make on-street parking challenging at peak times. A well-located vacation rental or B&B can save you time and make your daily plan feel effortless.
For groups and families, consider properties with extra sleeping spaces, a separate living area, and a well-equipped kitchen to minimize dining-out frequency. If you’re traveling with little ones, a place with a bathtub, high chair, and baby-proofed features can be a real convenience—especially for longer stays.
When booking through searchandstay.com or similar platforms, you’ll often find detailed listings with guest reviews, clear listings of included amenities, flexible cancellation policies, and host communication that helps you arrange arrival times and local recommendations. These practical details matter for a relaxed holiday experience.
Top Local Experiences and Activities for an Experience-Focused Stay
Combe Martin and its surrounding coastline offer a spectrum of activities designed for families, couples, and groups who love to explore. Here are some ideas to help you build a family-friendly itinerary that emphasizes safety, enjoyment, and memorable moments.
Beaches, Coastal Walks, and Safe Sea Days
Combe Martin Beach is a charming cove area with rock pools at low tide and picturesque views. It’s perfect for calm days by the sea, building sandcastles, and exploring tide pools with the kids. For broader coastal options, take short drives to nearby Woolacombe or Saunton Sands, where wide sandy expanses and family-friendly facilities make day trips easy and enjoyable. If you plan to swim or paddle, always check local safety guidance and lifeguard schedules, and choose bays with clearly marked swim zones.
Exploring Exmoor and the North Devon Countryside
Exmoor National Park is a short drive away and offers gentle walking routes as well as more challenging trails for seasoned hikers. Family-friendly routes with stunning viewpoints let you soak in wild landscapes, moorland skylines, and the chance to spot ponies and other wildlife. Pack snacks, water, and sun protection, and choose routes with trail-friendly paths and accessible access points.
Coastal and Wildlife Experiences
For a closer look at local wildlife, consider a day trip to a nearby wildlife park or a coastal boat trip from Ilfracombe or nearby harbors. Boat excursions provide opportunities to see marine life from a safe distance while staying mindful of safety guidelines. If you’re curious about marine life and geology, you’ll find plenty of signs along coastal paths and viewpoints that explain sea cliffs, fossils, and sea birds.
Family-Friendly Attractions and Local Experiences
North Devon is known for engaging family-friendly attractions and interactive experiences that don’t require long drives. Look for small, local museums, nature centers, and farm experiences that welcome children with hands-on exhibits and kid-friendly tours. Some accommodations and host communities offer curated lists of local experiences, which can help you structure a balanced itinerary with downtime for picnics and play.
Day Trips and Iconic Nearby Towns
Use Combe Martin as a convenient base for short day trips to Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, or Lynton and Lynmouth. Each town offers its own character, eateries, and small galleries, making it easy to mix beach time with culture and gastronomy. A day trip to Lundy Island is a classic North Devon adventure; ferries depart from Ilfracombe, providing a memorable sea voyage that’s suitable for families when weather and sea conditions permit.
Practical Planning: Food, Sleep, and Getting Around
Your Combe Martin stay can be as cozy and self-contained or as social and bustling as you like. A little planning goes a long way to ensuring you maximize comfort, safety, and convenience.
Many Bed and Breakfast options include breakfast, ranging from a traditional full English to lighter continental options. Vacation rentals often provide fully equipped kitchens, ideal for families who enjoy home-cooked meals or quick breakfasts before a day of exploring. Look for a local grocer or community shop in the village to stock up on essentials. If you’re staying in a rental with a kitchen, a quick pre-trip shop saves time for beach days and hikes. Check whether your accommodation offers on-site parking or easy access to a parking permit for street parking. If you plan to use public transport, verify the nearest bus stops and the frequency of services to nearby towns. Filter listings for safety-friendly features such as childproofing, stair gates, non-slip bathroom surfaces, and accessible entry points if needed. Many family-friendly properties emphasize secure locks and well-lit outdoor spaces for evening strolls. North Devon weather can be changeable. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and sturdy walking shoes to stay comfortable whether you’re exploring the coast or the moorlands.
When you’re ready to book, searchandstay.com aggregates a wide range of Combe Martin accommodations, including vacation rentals, holiday lets, and B&Bs. The platform helps you compare options by price, amenities, and guest reviews, making it easier to pick a place that matches your family’s needs and your travel style.
Planning Your Stay: Getting Here and Making the Most of Your Time
Combe Martin is well-connected by road, with easy access from major routes across the Southwest. If you’re driving from Exeter, Bristol, or beyond, the drive is scenic and relatively straightforward, often taking you through rural lanes and coastal views. For visitors traveling from airports, the region’s airports (such as Exeter, Bristol, or airports with regional connections) connect you to North Devon via rental cars or public transport options.
A practical plan is to map a mix of days: a gentle first day with coastal walks and a seaside lunch, followed by a day exploring Exmoor’s glacial valleys and heather moorland, and a longer excursion to nearby Ilfracombe or Lynton and Lynmouth for a taste of town life and photographic sunsets. The key is balance—moments of rest, short drives, and plenty of opportunities to pause for scenic views and family photos.
Where to Find Your Ideal Stay: SearchandStay.com
When you’re ready to lock in your Combe Martin base, SearchandStay.com is a convenient resource for discovering vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and Bed and Breakfast accommodations in the area. The site curates a range of listings that emphasize location, access to the coast, and family-friendly amenities, helping you compare options at a glance.
A few tips for using searchandstay.com effectively:
- Filter by property type (vacation rental, holiday let, or B&B) to narrow results quickly.
- Use the map view to identify listings near the beach, the village center, or Exmoor access points.
- Read guest reviews for real-world insights into safety, cleanliness, and convenience.
- Check for family-friendly amenities like kitchens, washing facilities, parking, and easy access in and out of the property.
- Note flexible cancellation options when travel plans may shift—especially for multi-generational trips.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy coastal cottage for a week, a spacious apartment with a sea view for a short break, or a traditional B&B to immerse yourself in local life, searchandstay.com can help you find the right fit in Combe Martin and its surroundings.
A Thoughtful, Family-Oriented Itinerary Example
To help you visualize a balanced stay, here’s a sample 5-day plan that emphasizes family-friendly activities, safety, and convenience:
Check into your chosen accommodation in Combe Martin, stroll along the nearby beach, and enjoy a casual dinner at a seaside cafe or pub. Relax and savor the sunset over the water. - Day 2: Easy coastal walk from Combe Martin to a scenic viewpoint, with a picnic lunch. Afternoon visit to Ilfracombe for a harbor stroll and fish and chips by the quay.
- Day 3: Explore Exmoor National Park with a family-friendly trail, looking out for wildlife. Stop at a village pub for lunch and return to your base for a restful evening.
- Day 4: Day trip to a nearby town (e.g., Lynton and Lynmouth) with a ride on the historic Cliff Railway if available, followed by a beach evening in Combe Martin or Woolacombe.
- Day 5: A farewell morning by the coast, a visit to a local market or shop for souvenirs, and departure. If time allows, a final short stop at a coastline viewpoint for photos before you head home.
Adapt this plan to your family’s interests. The goal is to enjoy safety-conscious, comfortable days with plenty of opportunities to pause for snacks, rest, and photo-worthy views—without feeling rushed.
Conclusion: Plan, Stay, and Experience Combe Martin
Combe Martin offers a practical, welcoming, and scenic base for vacation rentals, holiday lets, and Bed and Breakfast accommodation in North Devon. Its combination of family-friendly beaches, accessible countryside, and easy-going village life makes it easy to design a travel experience that feels tailored to your group. With a range of accommodation styles—from cozy vacation rentals and seafront cottages to traditional B&Bs—plus the convenience of nearby towns and Exmoor’s wild beauty, this corner of England invites you to slow your pace, savor local flavors, and build lasting memories.
For a streamlined search and reliable listings, consider visiting searchandstay.com to discover accommodations in Combe Martin and the surrounding area. A thoughtfully chosen base can transform your trip into a relaxing, safe, and enriching family adventure, with comfortable lodgings that fit your schedule and priorities while keeping the focus on the experiences that matter most.