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Things To Do

Boats on the Beach at Instow North Devon

Unleashing the Best ofNorth Devon

If you're looking for a South West escape, Bideford is brilliantly located. Situated in the heart of North Devon, you're just a stone's throw away from some of the area's spectacular beaches, as well as just a couple of miles away from nearby Barnstaple.

To help you make the most of your stay with us, we have arranged exclusive discounts for you with many of our top local attractions, saving you money on fabulous days out in North Devon.

Upcoming events near The Royal Hotel

Exclusive discounts to The Brend Collection

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Group of people canoeing

Exclusive Guest Discounts

At The Royal Hotel, our utmost priority is ensuring that our guests have a memorable stay and make the most of Devon's abundant attractions.

We have partnered with various local attractions, allowing us to offer exclusive discounts to our valued guests.
Whether you're seeking a fun-filled family adventure at a nearby theme park or yearning to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of RHS Rosemoor's blooming flower gardens, we are delighted to provide you with opportunities to explore Devon's wonders while enjoying your stay with us.

Discover our local attraction discounts

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Explore the Treasures of the Coast and Countryside

Barnstaple Pannier Market
Barnstaple Pannier Market

9.6 miles from The Royal Hotel 

The Market trades every day of the week on Butchers Row and hosts regular food festivals. From fresh produce and artisanal crafts to vintage treasures and unique gifts, the market offers something for everyone. Barnstaple Pannier Market provides a delightful shopping experience that reflects the rich heritage and vibrant character of the town.

2 girls on trampolines
Air Extreme

7.3 miles from The Royal Hotel

Air Extreme offers you a wide range of bouncing activities! Have fun in their massive indoor trampoline park in Barnstaple, North Devon, filled wall to wall with trampolines and much more. They advise customers to book online in advance to ensure they don't miss out. 

Arlington Court National Trust
Arlington Court

9.4 miles from The Royal Hotel

An intimate and fascinating Regency house set in an extensive estate. Full of collections for every taste. Arlington's grounds include a formal Victorian garden, a restored walled kitchen garden and acres of informal grounds featuring spectacular spring bulbs and year-round colour. The site is also home to the National Trust Carriage Museum, boasting over 45 carriages for every occasion.

family shopping
Affinity Devon Shopping Outlet

2 miles from The Royal Hotel

Fantastic shopping with over 30 stores from famous national brands, offering a fantastic variety of offers from the normal retail prices. Clothes, food and drink, a children's play area and regular events - what more could you want from a shopping trip? Open seven days a week.

Castle Hill Gardens in North Devon
Castle Hill

16.8 miles from The Royal Hotel

Castle Hill house and gardens are steeped in history and are, and have been for centuries, a home to the Fortescue family. Today it is loved and cherished by the Earl and Countess of Arran and is a wonderful visitor attraction. Visit Castle Hill’s open gardens and stay to enjoy refreshments at their new tearoom.

Clovelly Harbour and Seafront North Devon
Clovelly

11.9 miles from The Royal Hotel

World-famous for its cobbled, traffic-free streets, donkeys, sledges and historic harbour. The stunning views and the peaceful tranquillity of this fishing town are only a few reasons why this village is so memorable. 

Combe Martin Dinosaur Park
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park

21 miles from The Royal Hotel

Discover African lions, wolves, sea lions, penguins, meerkats, monkeys, wallabies and many more animals alongside spectacular dinosaur models at the wildlife park that comes with an extra roar! This is a family-friendly attraction for all ages with places to eat, play, meet cute animals and enjoy keeper talks. 

Man making glass at Dartington Crystal
Dartington Crystal

7.3 miles from The Royal Hotel
20% off first-quality items when you stay with us 

Experience a brand new Visitor Experience at Dartington Crystal’s popular tourist attraction in Great Torrington, the home to the UK’s last remaining factory scale crystal and glass manufacturer. Delve into the history and heritage of Dartington Crystal before venturing around the modern-day factory as you witness glass-making demonstrations in a newly installed studio furnace.

Group of people in canoes
Exmoor Adventure

41.1 miles from The Royal Hotel

Exmoor Adventures provides a range of award-winning outdoor activities including coasteering, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, raft building, archery, stand-up paddle boarding, tree climbing, orienteering and team building activities across north devon, west somerset, exmoor and the quantock hills.

Lemurs at exmoor zoo
Exmoor Zoo

19.5 miles from The Royal Hotel
15% off when you stay with us

An enjoyable day trip for all ages, the zoo treats visitors to a close-up view of the excellent animal exhibits and is hoe to the only pair of black leopards (or Exmoor Beasts if you belive in legends) in the UK.

Hartland Abbey
Hartland Abbey & Gardens

15.4 miles from The Royal Hotel
10% off when you stay with us

A day out at Hartland Abbey, a stately home and popular film location in a stunning valley a mile from Hartland Quay on the N W Devon coast, is to step back in time. The award-winning house, with its fascinating interiors and decoration, beautiful woodland walks, walled gardens and parkland, has been in the same family ownership for generations and provides a warm welcome to visitors.

Mother and daughter at aquarium
Ilfracombe Aquarium

22.8 miles from The Royal Hotel

This exciting award-winning, all-weather, fun, educational attraction provides a fascinating insight into the watery world of North Devon... The aquarium offers Local Aquatic Exhibits and showcases a diverse collection of animals displayed within beautifully recreated natural habitats.

Aerial view of Lundy Island
Lundy Island

In a place of wide spaces and big skies, without roads, cars or pollution, simply walking is a profound pleasure. Lundy has a milder climate than the mainland, with more sunshine and less rain. Book a day trip on the MS Oldenburg to Lundy from Bideford quay.

River Lyn through Lynmouth North Devon
Lynton & Lynmouth

27.9 miles from The Royal Hotel

The famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway is the highest and the steepest water-powered railway in the world! The Cliff Railway connects the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth providing stunning coastal views that will be the highlight of any visit. 

Man wake boarding
North Devon Wake Park

9.5 miles from The Royal Hotel

Located in the stunning landscape of North Devon and only 10 minutes away from the coast, North Devon Wake Park boasts the best of both worlds. The WakePark has a variety of outdoor activities for all ages which include wakeboarding, Paddleboarding, slacklining and their unique aquapark. 

Bee keepers at Quince Honey Farm
Quince Honey Farm

South Molton, North Devon
20% off ticket prices when you stay with us

The all-new Quince Honey Farm in South Molton is just ‘bee-utiful’! Take a guided tour around the interesting displays and exhibits and learn fun facts about the honeybee before you take a closer look inside the working hives. Nowhere in the world can you get so close to living bees without needing protective equipment!

family in RHS Rosemoor gardens
RHS Rosemoor Gardens

8.4 miles from The Royal Hotel
£8 entry instead of £12.65 when you stay with us

At Rosemoor Gardens, you can enjoy 65 acres of beautifully planted flower beds, set within a pretty wooded valley. Around every corner, there's a lovely surprise. The gardens are home to plants from around the world. Events take place throughout the year, there's lots of shopping to be done and children's activities keep little green-fingers amused.

people on high ropes
Skern Lodge Outdoor Centre

3.4 miles from The Royal Hotel 

Try an amazing range of sports delivered by trained staff. Activities include climbing, zip wire, archery, surfing, bodyboarding, and kayaking. Set against the backdrop of rolling hills and picturesque coastlines, Skern Lodge offers a wide range of exhilarating activities and programs for individuals, families, and groups.

Tapeley Park in North Devon
Tapeley Park

2.4 miles from The Royal Hotel
2 for 1 entry when you stay with us

Tapeley Park situated between Instow and Bideford is one of North Devon’s best-kept secrets. Take in the magnificent views over the Torridge Estuary to the sea beyond. Their grounds are renowned for their beautiful gardens, especially the Italian terraces where visitors can sit back and relax and make the most of the peace and tranquillity.

person painting pottery
Tarka Pottery

8.1 miles from The Royal Hotel
10% off when you stay with us

Tarka Pottery is a pottery painting studio offering an exciting range of fun creative activities for kids, teens and adults alike! It's a great chance to get creative and relax in the pottery studio where plenty of help is on hand. You can choose from making a bowl on the potter’s wheel, painting a pot or joining a clay workshop or pottery class.

tennis balls on grass
Tarka Tennis

9.7 miles from The Royal Hotel

Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned player aiming to enhance your skills, Tarka Tennis provides a supportive and inclusive environment for all ages and abilities. There are 6 indoor courts and 4 outdoor courts at this ‘Pay and Play’ tennis centre in Barnstaple. With its dedication to promoting the sport of tennis and providing a welcoming atmosphere, Tarka Tennis is the go-to destination for tennis enthusiasts in Barnstaple and beyond.

lamb sitting on sheep's back
The Big Sheep

2.1 miles from The Royal Hotel

Ewe will love this family day out, with live shows, farmyard animals, rides and entertainment. From tractor driving to feeding the baby animals, there's a little bit of everything to keep children and adults amused. Make the most of the sheep racing, duck herding, shearing displays and donkey rides. All between playing in the indoor and outdoor play areas. You'd be BAAArmy to miss it. 

children on slides at Milky Way
The Milky Way Adventure Park

9.4 miles from The Royal Hotel 
10% off entry when you stay with us
(term time only)

An all-weather theme park with something for everyone. From the Cosmic Typhoon roller coaster, gravity rider doughnut slide, maze, fantastic outdoor displays from the North Devon Bird of Prey Centre, Droid Destroyer Dodgems, and the Milky Way Railway - we can guarantee you won't be bored when spending a day here.

People in cinema
The Queen's Theatre

9.7 miles from The Royal Hotel

At The Queens Theatre in Barnstaple, there is something for everyone, whether that’s a play, musical, ballet, opera, band or comedian. It’s fun and exciting, which makes it a fabulous venue to bring somebody you want to impress.

family of four cycling
The Tarka Trail

The famous Tarka Trail cycle path runs right by the Royal Hotel. This is a fabulous way to experience the gorgeous North Devon countryside.

The Ultimate Adventure Activity Centre
The Ultimate Adventure Activity Centre

2.2 miles from The Royal Hotel
15% off when you stay with us 

Based in Abbotsham, Ultimate Adventure has been providing a comprehensive range of outdoor adventure activities since 2011. Choose from high-ropes, kayaking, coasteering, the total wipeout-inspired assault course and many more! 

Surfboard on Saunton beach
Walking on Waves

17 miles from The Royal Hotel 
10% discount on all lessons & £25 off 2pm group surf lessons

First Wave sessions are designed to get you off the beach, in the water, and having fun as quickly as possible. We meet up, get to know each other and jump into our “guaranteed to keep you warm” winter wetsuits. It’s only 100m to the beach (although if the tide’s out it can be a bit further to the sea) where we’ll go through the safety drill and give you a chance to practice before we get wet.

Watermouth Cove North Devon
Watermouth Castle

20.6 miles from The Royal Hotel

On the outside, this is a Victorian Castle. But behind the walls lie a family theme park with rides, a maze, dungeons, play areas and beautifully landscaped gardens. Little ones will enjoy the castle treasure, the water show and the toboggan run whilst adults will enjoy learning about the history of the castle and will secretly love the rides too! 

Soft play area
World of Wonder

2.2 miles at The Royal Hotel

A fantastic new indoor soft play centre at Affinity Devon. Boasting slides, ball pits and dizzy discs, little ones will love running wild here. World of Wonder is a captivating indoor play centre designed to ignite the imagination and spark joy in children of all ages. This vibrant and colourful facility offers a plethora of exciting activities and interactive play areas. From climbing walls and slides to ball pits and obstacle courses.

flowers in bideford park
Victoria Park

0.5 miles from The Royal Hotel

Bideford boasts a lovely park with a paddling pool, a children's play area and a skatepark. Plus, the ample seating makes it a great location to soak up some sun!

View to Appledore from Instow North Devon
Appledore

3.5 miles from The Royal Hotel 

Take a trip to Appledore,  a small fishing village in North Devon. The harbour, once filled with traditional fishing vessels, now shares its space with beautiful yachts offering trips to visitors up and down the estuary. A leisurely walk through the village will reveal rows of brightly painted fisherman's cottages stacked together along narrow streets and courtyards.

Winter at Westward Ho! Beach North Devon
Westward Ho!

3 miles from The Royal Hotel

Westward Ho! is a Victorian coastal town, with over two miles of golden sand that has the prestigious Blue Flag award for facilities and water quality plus places to eat, things to do, great shops, amazing walks and wonderful nature. 

river at becky falls
Becky Falls

43.7 miles from The Royal Hotel

No visit to Devon would be complete without a visit to Dartmoor's iconic landmark. Come and breathe some of the purest air in England, explore 50 acres of stunning woodlands and enjoy a very, very warm welcome!

person on a segway
EasiGlide Segway Experience

20.4 miles from The Royal Hotel
10% off when you stay with us

EasiGlide offers Segway tours around North Devon and other areas of the South West. Rolling hills, ocean views, muddy fields, sand dunes as well as plenty of obstacle courses and games provide the ultimate thrill of riding a Segway.

Man on SUP board in sunset
H2o Outdoor

21.3 miles from The Royal Hotel
10% off when you stay with us

H2o Outdoor specialise in providing unforgettable experiences by combining high-quality activities with the outstanding natural beauty of this area. Coasteering, Kayaking, Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Wild Swimming are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed with them either on a single session basis or combined to form an exhilarating adventure package. 

Person on a quad bike
Keypitts Activity Centre

19.4 miles from The Royal Hotel
10% off when you stay with us

Keypitts Activity Centre is a popular outdoor recreation destination nestled int he picturesque countryside of Devon, offering a wide range of exciting activities such as Quad Biking, Axe Throwing and 4x4 Land Rover experience. 

stuart line cruise
Stuart Line Cruises

10% off when you stay with us
66.7 miles from The Royal Hotel

Ensure you don’t miss out on one of Devon's top things to do and take a trip with Stuart Line Cruises. Sailing all year round, you can set sail and explore the rich wildlife and breathtaking views of the River Exe or set sail back 250 million years exploring the Jurassic Coast Line.

Couple in an orange kayak
OSKC Water Sports

21.1 miles from The Royal Hotel
10% off when you stay with us

Based in Coombe Martin, OSKC Water Sport is a premier destination for water sports enthusiasts seeking an exhilarating experience on the waves in North Devon. OSKC offers a wide range of thrilling activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. 

Woman with surfboard walking into sea
Croyde Bay Surf Hire

18.2 miles from The Royal Hotel

Your choice of surf equipment next to world-class waves at Croyde Bay. Croyde Bay Surf Hire stocks a selection of surfboards, bodyboards and stand-up paddle boards for all levels of surfer, from first-timers to seasoned pros and will even deliver equipment straight to you. 

Marwood Hill Gardens
Marwood Hill Gardens

13 miles from The Royal Hotel

Less than a half-hour drive from the hotel, Marwood Hill Gardens is an excellent 20-acre private garden and lakes, with a Garden Tea Room and wonderful views. From vibrant flower beds and manicured lawns to picturesque ponds and winding paths, Marwood Gardens offers a feast for the senses at every turn.

go karting
Race World Go-Karting

62.6 miles from The Royal Hotel 

Race World Go-Karting track is Exeter's very best indoor racing track! With a 400m circuit, flyover bridge, state-of-the-art equipment, conference room and 4000sq ft viewing area, it has something for everyone!

couple walking on coastal path
Guided Walking Tours

John Ward offers guided walking breaks and tailor-made adventures within the wild beauty of the coastline and moors of North Devon and Exmoor.  Walk the stunning coast and country of North Devon and Exmoor with a knowledgeable and friendly local guide and visit the 'hidden gems' of the area - from the old-world charm of remote hamlets to expansive moors and secluded coves. 

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