Instow

Instow sits on the eastern bank of the Taw-Torridge estuary, facing Appledore across the water, and it has the relaxed, slightly unhurried character of a place that knows it has everything in the right proportions. A sandy estuary beach, a good pub on the quay, access to the Tarka Trail, a Victorian cricket ground backed by hills, and the beautiful grounds of Tapeley Park just up the road, Instow does not need to try very hard.

The beach is excellent for families: gently shelved, sheltered from the Atlantic swell by the estuary, and cleaner than the tourist guides always give it credit for. At low tide the sand stretches a long way, and the view across to Appledore with the wooded hills behind is postcard-perfect. Dogs are welcome.

The Tarka Trail passes right through Instow, and the traffic-free section heading north towards Barnstaple is one of the most enjoyable easy cycles in Devon. Bike hire is available in Barnstaple and Braunton. The return journey from Barnstaple to Instow takes about an hour on a leisurely cycle, and the view over the estuary for much of the route is exceptional.

A seasonal pedestrian ferry connects Instow to Appledore across the estuary in summer, making it easy to combine both villages in a single outing.

Instow is about 15 miles from Woolacombe. The Wayfarer Inn on the quayside is a reliable choice for lunch or dinner, and watching the tide come in over the estuary from a table outside is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Instow also has an excellent cricket ground in a setting that must rank among the most beautiful in the south of England: a village green backed by wooded hills, with the estuary visible beyond the boundary. Matches take place throughout the season and are open to spectators. The signal box at the edge of the village is a heritage preservation project that has restored a Victorian GWR signal box to full working order and is occasionally open to you during the season.