Author: Toby Benjamin Gaulton
Age: 9
We’ve been going to Croyde Bay now since I was two (Mum says it’s the first place they took me to paddle in the sea) and it’s great from start to end. I get really excited on the drive there knowing that we when we go round a certain bend we will see the sparkling sea and the beautiful golden beach waiting there for us.
We always stay at the Parkdean site called Ruda (but there are lots of other places that you can stay in the village) in one of their great lodges. They are 3 bedroomed with a kitchen and a lounge and have a nice sized garden, which you can bring toys to. They have caravans to rent too and a camping site for motorhomes, campervans and tents. On the site there is a restaurant, an arcade and shop. They have superb entertainment shows at night and there is a great swimming pool. I love going down the Big Blue slide and in the rapids.
One of the best things about staying there is the beach is right there, just a few minutes walk away. It is a lovely sheltered sandy beach and we always have lots of fun making sand castles and running up and down the sand dunes. You can also go rock-pooling (my little sister fell in once though when we were trying to catch a little crab). Lots of people go body-boarding and surfing at Croyde – the sea is quite cold but still great fun.
You can also walk into the village from the site which has a few little shops that have some nice treats in and a great cafe called Blue Groove, which we love to have brunch at. There’s also a couple of pubs and restaurants to go to at night.
There is a nice National Trust walk out along the coastal path to Baggy Point which we usually do (and stop at the tea shop for yummy cream teas).
It’s in a good place for getting out on day trips too. We have been to ‘The Big Sheep’ quite a few times and Clovelly which is really nice (although very steep and my Nanna was worn right out walking back up the hill when we took her). One of my highlight days out was going to Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park which is amazing. The model dinosaurs are brilliant – one of them even squirts water at you and I learned lots about the animals they keep there. Unfortunately, a parrot poo’ed on my head while I was eating an ice cream – which was not to plan! Exmoor Zoo is an excellent day out too.
Why don’t you give Croyde a try and see what you think about it too? I’d love you to go and hope you love it as much as me.