Hidden Gems | Heading south

Born from a passion for travel & exploring our environment, Wanderlust Life curates a list of South West destinations to see you through the winter months and beyond.

OpenSurf, St Agnes

Succulents, surfboards, coffee and table tennis. Well worth a cruise down to Cornwall any day of the week.

Hands On Clinic, Braunton

Colder, darker days don’t have to mean diminished saltwater time. Try floatation therapy: hop into a float pod, free yourself from sensory input and let relaxation take over.

Jon Curtis Ceramics, Braunton

Recent studies have shown that making pottery can be a form of mindfulness meditation. Unplug and join a local lesson.

The Burton, Bideford

Vibrant venue with art galleries, a shop, French bistro café, museum and creative workshops. 

Lynton Cinema, Lynton

... is thought to be the smallest community in the UK to have its own full-time cinema. Watch new releases in an old picture palace setting with just 68 seats.

 Latitude 48

Calibrate your compass and set sail for Barnstaple. Craft beers, a rotating street food menu from guest chefs and pinball await.

Watchful Mary

Cruise down to Watergate Bay and discover this sweet oceanside spot for cocktails and live music.

The Antidote

Refined comfort food in Ilfracombe. Excellent set menus, tons of attention to detail and boutique accommodation if you care to make a night of it.

Farmers Arms

Top tip: “Woolsfardisworthy is pronounced “Woolsery.” Why should you care? It’s home to a formerly derelict pub now offering some of the most exceptional and innovative cooking in North Devon. 

The Crafty Beer Shop

A top option in Barnstaple when you want to treat yourself to something different, like moonshine or a can of Beach Bum IPA.

Lundy Island

Named by the Vikings, inhabited by Barbary Pirates, won and lost in a card game. Stay in one of 23 self-catering options just 12 miles off our coast, accessible by boat in summer and helicopter in winter.

Crow Point

A prime spot for a stroll at the southern end of Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet before spilling into the sea. 

Valley of the Rocks

At the edge of Exmoor, a dry valley ascends to dramatic cliffs offering spectacular views over the Atlantic.

Instow

Situated on the Taw and Torridge estuary, this nautical village is a perfect position for watching the sun go down. In winter, book a windowside table at the Instow Arms or the Boathouse.

Clovelly

A tiny Devon village with a single cobbled pedestrianised street. Famous for its donkey-based transport system, lobster industry and piratical history.