What’s going for it? I’m not completely au fait with their oeuvre, but I don’t think the Beach Boys harmonised about cream teas or clotted cream, thatched cottages and fat pasties. Imagine if they’d hung out here in Britain’s surfers’ paradise, instead of LA! “I wish they all could be a Devonian.” Even having “pasty” in the same sentence as “surf dude” seems an oxymoron, but here they are, cheek by jowl, along with the odd palm tree, its fronds caressed by the gulf stream. It’s beautiful enough here to inspire lyrics and melodies as lush as Brian Wilson’s, though, with gaping bays of soft sand and vast breakers (Woolacombe beach was voted Britain’s best by TripAdvisor last year), rock pools, ragged hills such as Baggy Point and pubs doling out frothy craft beer. There’s even a beach – Barricane – where tropical shells wash up, as if this corner of Britain were umbilically tied to warmer climes.
The case against This is second-home central, so prices are high. The economy is very seasonal: in summer, it’s rammed, though it’s not hard to find quieter spots. Full frontal for those westerlies.
Well connected? Hardly in the thick of things. Trains: Barnstaple is the nearest station, 10 miles off, with hourly trains on the slow line to Exeter (66-85 minutes). Driving: just over an hour to the M5, 90 minutes to Exeter; Exmoor on the doorstep.
Schools Primaries: Kingsacre, Caen Community and Southmead, all in Braunton, are “good”, Ofsted says, with Woolacombe and Georgeham CofE “outstanding”. Secondaries: Braunton Academy “requires improvement”; Pilton Community College in Barnstaple is “good”.
Hang out at… The Thatch in Croyde or the Rock at Georgeham; Sandleigh Tea Room for the cream teas; the surf to work them off.
Where to buy The fronts at Woolacombe and Croyde are awash with swanky pads and great views; in the lanes behind, there’s everything from thatched cottages to Edwardian villas; a few new-build apartment blocks, too, plus stone farmhouses out of town. Inland, Braunton is a bit cheaper, with whitewashed cottages near South, East and North Streets; suburbans by Higher Park Road. Detacheds and town houses, £260,000-£2m. Semis, £150,000-£500,000. Terraces and cottages, £140,000-£330,000. Flats, £140,000-£400,000. Rentals: one-bed flat, £600pcm; three-bed house, £600-£750pcm.
Bargain of the week A two-bed cottage a short walk from the surf beach, £295,000 with Taylor Underwood.
From the streets
Josie Huxtable “The best thing is the sea and the endless sky. I love the buzz of summer, people everywhere, kids playing on the beach.”
Leanne Pemberton “The community in Croyde is close-knit. The houses are beautiful, with amazing views – half are second homes. Head to Hobbs Bistro for dinner. Can be a ghost town in winter.”
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