What To Do When it Rains in Woolacombe

Today was our first full day in Woolacombe, North Devon.

We arrived yesterday afternoon. Due to various sets of motorway roadworks en-route the drive took a longer than expected seven hours, but was straight-forward.

We're staying in an apartment on the Esplanade, the main road in Woolacombe, opposite the stunning beach. We stayed in the same building two years ago and loved it. This is my first holiday alone with the children so I wanted somewhere familiar. Somewhere I knew I was suitable and, with a 14 and a 12 year old, a place where I was certain the wifi was good.

Within 20 minutes of arriving, we were on Barricane Beach, a small shingle cove adjacent to the main beach. There is a brilliant beach cafe which does the most amazing Sri Lankan curry. I could honestly eat there every night. Everyone takes their own drinks- Prosecco in my case, fold-up chairs or picnic rugs and sits and takes in the beautiful seascape. It's a wonderfully laid back atmosphere and very relaxing.

We left the beach after an early supper as the sun was beginning to fade.

I was awakened in the early hours this morning by the not entirely unpleasant, but most definitely unwelcome sound of rain pounding on the skylights. It rained almost the whole day and it was quite blustery and very misty. Autumnal in fact.

So, what to do when it rains in Woolacombe?

Eat and shop of course.

We headed out in what was the only dry few minutes of the day into Woolacombe and went to The Tides Inn for a leisurely brunch.

Afterwards we ambled round the array of small shops in Woolacombe before heading out to Atlantic Village, a shopping outlet in Bideford a forty minute drive away. We didn't buy anything, but it is under cover and it meant that at least we got out.

We came back to Woolacombe for a very early supper at the Beachcomber Cafe back on the Esplanade. This is a very casual laid-back cafe that overlooks the beach and serves a variety of snacks and light bites. My son would highly recommend the chocolate chip milkshake and my daughter's mocha frappe went down a treat.
The forecast looks much more promising for the remainder of the week, so hopefully we'll be enjoying the Devon beach lifestyle.

So, a waterproof jacket and brogues were the order of the day worn with skinny jeans, breton and statement necklace.