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Croyde the
beautiful North Devon village of Croyde has a blue
flag beach, it also happens to be one of the most popular
family beaches in, North Devon. Croyde; is also a haven for sailors,
wind-surfers, and board-surfers.
Yes Croyde, is North Devon's
answer to Australia's Bondi Beach, or Hawaii's Oahu. For every
summer; blond sun tanned men, and women descend upon Croyde in their
thousands: carrying what look to me very much like ironing
boards, and proceed to create mayhem. ( No I am not anti surfing just
having a laugh at their expense as they did at mine, when I undressed
to go swimming last summer ) But having said that it is
amusing to see them jockeying for position, as the next 'big one' rolls
in. I have even see them argue, as to who's wave it was. Then
there are the Kayacker's, careening about every where
like troops from the Special
Boat Service, and Croyde also gets it fare share
of 'Admiral
Nelson's, commanding their 3 decked 100 gun, ships of the
line. ( well yacht's actually. ) Yes Croyde, is home to them
all. And
together they all provide a great days free
entertainment.
Croyde beach sits in the wide Croyde bay, and is
sheltered on both sides by headlands, and from the rear by large sand
dunes. So you can see it is very sheltered beach indeed which is handy
for even in sumer it can be very windy at times But importantly: It
is also
a safe beach, and there for ideal for families. with small children.
There is
disable access to the beach, a lost child care center, first aid
post, toilet facilities, for both able and disabled people.
There are also shops, and the inevitable surf-board hire, plus
deck-chair
hire. But unfortunately none of the shops sell braces, or knotted
hankies. And if
one tires of watching the surfers antics; the much quieter Saunton
Sands, and
Braunton
Burrows, are only a mile or so away.
The 'old village' of Croyde, has thankfully ( despite the
influences of 'Bondi' beach or 'Oahu' ) not lost its charm..
And the cottages are still picturesque, thatched dwellings, and include
'Sweet Cottage,'
believed by many to be the prettiest thatched cottage
in the South West. The impact of tourism on the village has
been
a mixed blessing; I believe in general however, for the villagers the
pros out-weigh the cons. There are also three
nice public
houses, my particular favorite being the aptly named
Thatched Barn. The Thatched Barn is a wonderful example of a
quintessential
North Devon village pub with one reservation I wish they would dump
them arcade machines!. Where you can enjoy a meal, or a beer surfers
permitting. And oh yes in near by Braunton, as well
as one
opposite the Thatched Barn, there
are plenty of surfing shops to hire equipment, if you are one of those
who say "if you can not
beat them join them"
I myself tried giving
surfing a whirl and failed miserably, but at least I contributed to the
holiday-makers enjoyment. You can find out all about
Croyde by visiting Croyde
Website on the links right of screen
Just to the north-west of Croyde, is the village of Georgeham. And
Georgeham is were Henry
Williamson, the author settled after returning
from the 1st World War. And it was here in Georgham that he wrote
"Tarka
the Otter" that wonderfully moving but sad novel
of the adventures of an otter, that was eventually
killed by otter hounds. Although later on in his life Williamson moved
to Norfolk: However Georgham, is the final resting place of this
wonderful author, for Henry Williamson's, grave is located in
the cemetery
at
Georgeham.
And a must place to visit in Croyde, is wonderful 'Baggy
Point.' Baggy Point is set
high up on a headland with the most wonderful views of Croyde Bay. And
to
the south-west Hartland Point, can be seen.
'Baggy Point' is the ideal location to rest, picnic, and admire the sea
birds, seals, and of course the wonderful views. Baggy Point,
along with
Morte Point, form Morte Bay. North west from the cliff's is Baggy Leap,
a shoal on to which in 1799,
HMS Weazle, was driven during a
gale and all on board: 106, souls lost their lives. Yes many a
ship has come to grief on the beautiful, rugged, but dangerous coast of
North Devon. Baggy Point, also has some great rock
climbing with various degrees of difficulty.
It is also the ideal place, for harrased fathers to have a
snooze! this I can personally vouch for. 'Baggy Point' was given to the
nation in perpetuity in 1939, by the sisters Constance, and
Florence Hyde. And this kind act means beautiful, unspoilt
Baggy Point: in now protected
for future generations. We could not
have received a nicer present. Today Baggy Point is
administered by the National
Trust.!
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