The Hoops Inn

Advantages: Nice part of the country
Disadvantages: Not worth the money

...Introduction: A very disappointing stay at this hotel, which did not deliver what it, promised on many levels. We travelled to it for a one-night stay as we fancied a quick trip away to a new part of the country. We looked for a hotel that offered good food in a nice location and could provide a good-sized family room for our travel cot, our son being only 10 months old. The Hoops Inn, which we found in the Good Pub Guide, seemed to offer what we parents wanted. When I rang to enquire I specifically asked for a family room and clearly stated that we needed a quiet room. I was told that Room 4 was suitable for us. The Location and Buildings: Hoops is located on the A39 main road between Bideford and Bude. It is about 5 miles from the tourist trap of Clovelly and about 20 miles from the surfing beaches of Bude or North Devon. It...

Stg27 19.06.2007 (08.09.2007) · Read review
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Review of Hoops Inn, Bideford

Down By The Bay

Advantages: Lots to do, reasonably priced holiday, excellent staff
Disadvantages: The hill

...pestered you into buying tickets for. When Bourne Leisure took them over it seemed that the things we loved about Haven were all evaporating slowly but surely and when some of the staff at one Haven site mentioned that Park Resorts had kept the old style that had once made Haven great, we decided to give them a try. ***The Location*** We love Devon and Cornwall, so when we saw the Bideford Bay site in the brochure, it wasn't difficult to decide that this was the one to try. The site itself isn't actually situated in Bideford, but is about 9 miles down the coast and the main gates to the site can be found in a lovely little place called Bucks Cross. There isn't an easy way down to the beach from the site but nearby you can find some fantastic beaches at Westward Ho and Bude, as well as some lovely surfer dudes too. I have to admit...

belfin 18.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Bideford Bay - Park Resorts Site

Sparkys Holiday Parky

Advantages: Sparkys Krew and the Teamstars
Disadvantages: Food facilities

...We have just returned from a week at the above holiday park in Devon. Im no expert on parks of this nature as this is only my second trip as an adult, but I'd like to let you know about our experience there. We actually rented a caravan from a private individual and so I am unable to provide any details of the accomodation provided by parks resorts themselves. The location of the park is a small village called Bucks Cross, which is about 9 miles from Bideford itself. It is within driving distance of Westward Ho and Clovelly. There are 2 theme parks fairly nearby, The Big Sheep and The Milky Way. Bideford itself is the nearest place for any well known shops as the surrounding area is mainly villages. The park is also about a half hour drive from Bude in Cornwall. The Leisure Facilities There is an outdoor pool with a water slide...

kirkytracy 31.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of Bideford Bay - Park Resorts Site

Hartland Forest Golf and NO Leisure Parc

Advantages: In the middle of nowhere
Disadvantages: In the middle of nowhere with no facilities!

...Unfortunately this was not an experience of a lifetime. It may be we chose the wrong year. 2008! The park is described as Hartland Forest Golf and Leisure Parc, however there were no signs of leisure to be seen anywhere. There was a A4 sign pinned to a derelict room stating the bar is closed for 2008 and another sign on the golf club house asking people not to enquire with regards to the leisure facilities at the parc. All in all not a welcoming prospect. The site is extremely remote and you are 2 miles to the nearest public house (along a remote single lane track) and 8 miles from any other leisure facilities. For a supermarket you haver to travel to Bude or Bideford. The accommodation although nice and roomy with all necessary equipment smelt damp throughout our stay, probably not helped by the damp summer. The site has closed during...

robbo698 30.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Hartland Forest Parc, Woolsery, Cornwall

Westward Ho! go today family holidays

Advantages: cheap accomodation, gorgeous views.. beach
Disadvantages: none

...Many places have had books named after them, but Westward Ho! is the only place to have been named after a book. "Westward Ho! is an 1855 British historical novel by Charles Kingsley, inspired in part by the Crimean War." it is also where the famous author Charles Kingsley lived, it is a Victorian town with a long beach and pebble ridge stretching to the mouth of the Taw Torridge estuary. Well to me Westward Ho! is just lovely, perfect for a family holiday, It is situated just a mile and a half from Bideford in North Devon EX39. From London it is just 4hrs, M4 to Bristol then M5 south bound to junction 27,then follow the A361 all the way to the A39 (40 miles or so) then its just 9 miles to Westward Ho! My Dad has has lived there in this mostly quiet town for eight years, the air is clear (I have asthma and didnt once need my...

chezbabe101 25.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Devon (England)

Outstanding quality

Advantages: Customer service is great and own products unparalleled
Disadvantages: Too thinly spread

...First off...I am a Sainsburys type of guy....I always used to shop there, I used to work there when I was at college and I continued to shop there after I went into full-time employment...except for bananas...anyone who has worked at a supermarket and specifically in the produce section will know what I mean! Anyway, Safeway supermarkets aren't particularly well spread out in the Westcountry. Bideford have got one, Bude have got one, but that is North Devon and North Cornwall. Tiverton have got one, but that is East Devon. Exeter don't have one, typically, but I wish they did. I used to believe that the best own brand products came from the shop adorned with an orange colour scheme owned by a chap called John. However, when I first went to a Safeways...the one in Bideford, the own products were brilliant! The Safeways bakery is...

poodu 08.01.2001 · Read review
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Review of Safeway (Shop)

THE TWIN SEASIDE VILLAGES OF LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH

Advantages: Lots to do and plenty of interest, doesn't get crowded
Disadvantages: Perhaps not for teenagers unless they like walking

...and other activities can be found at nearby Clovelly, Bideford and Ilfracombe. There are boat trips available from the harbour at Lynmouth and all the nearby resorts and horse riding available at two stables on nearby Exmoor. If you've read Lorna Doone you may enjoy following a local trail taking you to all the major features mentioned in the book and anyone interested in golf may like to take time out to play the Championship Course at Saunton Sands. +++++++++++++++ FURTHER DETAILS +++++++++++++++ Travel: By road take the M5 and then the main holiday route to Barnstable. Lynton is around a 30 minute drive across country from there. Trains can be taken as far as Barnstable, then travel by local bus routes. Accommodation: Marsden Cottage Holidays, www.marsdens.co.uk, for self catering. Also North Devon Cottage...

inycon2 02.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Lynton and Lynmouth

Mavimelek's Kebab Monopoly!!

Advantages: Half of them are mine or my family's!!
Disadvantages: Probably won't get many reads!!

...House Listley St, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. My uncle's shop. My husband used to work here, and a couple of his cousin's still do. All of these will be good praises, as I know all of the kitchens, how they run, and all of the staff. Great food, really nice idyllic town, happy friendly staff. Number Five - Charcoal Grill St Mary's St, Bridgwater, Somerset. This is our cousin's shop, and he was taught by my husband, so I know that the food is good, and the standards in the kitchen will be unsurpassed. There are a couple of other kebab shops in bridgwater, but I haven't been to them, and I don't think I need to either! The doner here is hand made and I think it tastes much better that way, no fake pre-formed rubbish. Number Six - Ali's Charcoal Grill Bridgeland St, Bideford, North Devon. Now I lived above this shop, and ate my...

mavimelek 08.06.2005 (10.06.2005) · Read review
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Review of My Favorite Kebab Shops

Pirates and Puffins

Advantages: Beauty, peace, wildlife, home-cooked food in the pub
Disadvantages: None

.... Facilities included showers and toilets, and they have room for about 40 people. Other accommodation includes the castle, the lighthouse and a remote admirality lookout. I believe that the accommodation is practical, clean and basic. Until recently, one of the more remote properties had no toilet, but this has now been added. Visitors are encouraged not to bring their own groceries but to buy them from the small island shop. Until a couple of years ago a series of smaller boats transferred passengers from the Oldenburg to the island, but now a new causeway has been built, making it much easier. But you still have to walk the half-mile or so up a steep hill in order to get to the island, unless you are prepared to pay the local vehicle to take you up. HOW CAN I GET THERE You can get here either by boat from Bideford...

e_l_parker 24.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of Lundy Island (England)

ATLANTIC VILLAGE

Advantages: Shops under cover; Good play area for kids; Easy parking.
Disadvantages: Not much choice in 'cafe' food.

...I had a lovely time visiting the ATLANTIC VILLAGE. Its in North Devon not far from Barnstable and Bideford, well signposted and quite easy to find. Lots of free parking so quite hassle free. OK ? so why would you want to go to the Atlantic Village ? about 35 factory outlet shops all selling goodies at well below High street prices. The shops factory seconds, cancelled orders, last seasons? lines, samples and sale items. You could expect to save between 30% and 50% depending on the shop and time of year. Who?s there? For the ladies there is: Designer Room Edinburgh Mill Jacques Vert Jane Shilton Jumper Pilot Roman Originals Triumph Warners Windsmor Selling Ladieswear and Menswear were: Cotton Traders Nicklebys Puma Sports Mill Tog 24 Pavers Shoes Selling stuff for around the house were: Dartington...

dlhealey 25.09.2002 · Read review
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Review of Atlantic Village