History - Westward Ho!

experienceDevon’s customized holiday itinerary planning can show you the historic district of Torridge, which includes Westward Ho!, Clovelly, Hartland Quay, Great Torrington, and Northam Burrows.

Westward Ho! is 3 miles east of Bideford, a seaside resort since Victorian times and was founded in 1863, made famous on the strength of Charles Kingsley’s novel about the seafaring Elizabethans. It is the only place in the British Isles to be named after a book and to have an exclamation mark at the end of its name.

An ancient forest and stone- age remains are evident at low tide on the 2-mile long clean and sandy beach. The beach is protected by the pebble ridge and was traditionally rebuilt every year after the winter storms, by the local community to protect their grazing rights. There followed a celebration and was the roots of the PotWalloping festival, which still runs in the village in May and celebrates the tradition that was once part of village life. Westward Ho! is fronted by a 2-mile long sandy beach, which has been awarded the Blue Flag safety award. The beach is protected by the pebble ridge, which was traditionally rebuilt every year after the winter storms, by the local community to protect their grazing rights. There followed a celebration, with much cider consumed. This was the roots of the PotWalloping festival, which still runs in the village in May and celebrates the tradition that was once part of village life.

experienceDevon’s itinerary can show you the best of the hiking trails and views -  The South West coast path runs from here, through the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) where there are wonderful views across the bay and out along the path towards Abbotsham Cliffs and beyond towards Clovelly and Hartland Quay.

Northam Burrows is behind Westward Ho! beach, separated by the pebble ridge. It is a Country Park with wildlife, sand dunes and a salt marsh. The Park Rangers organise walk, talks and educational visits; the visitor centre has information about the area’s history. The country park is also home to the oldest 18 hole links golf course in England.