A first-hand family guide to visiting Croyde, North Devon in our VW campervan. Covering where we stayed, what we packed, beaches, sunsets, local food, shops and practical tips from real week-long camping trips over several years.
Some places become part of your family’s story without you ever planning it. Croyde is one of those places for us.
What started as a simple half-term break in our VW campervan gradually became a family tradition. The combination of a wide sandy beach, dramatic sunsets, excellent food, a relaxed village atmosphere and the easy-going pace of North Devon keeps drawing us back year after year.
A total antidote to city life.
This guide brings together everything from our latest stay in Croyde. If you’re planning your own campervan trip, you’ll find links to the detailed guides we’ve written along the way.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Croyde
Some years we’ve arrived to blazing sunshine. Other years we’ve watched Atlantic weather roll in from the campsite hiding in the Campervan. Somehow, Croyde never disappoints.
The village feels busy enough to have everything you need but never overwhelming. The beach is large enough for families, surfers, walkers and photographers to all find their own space. Most importantly, it still feels like a proper coastal village rather than a purpose-built resort.
For us, this particular trip happened because we wanted a simple family escape. No complicated itinerary. No long list of attractions. Just a week of beach days, campervan living and time together.
As it turned out, those simple trips are often the ones that create the strongest memories. When we leave, we’re already counting down the days till we come back.
Where We Stayed
Finding the right campsite can make or break a campervan holiday.
For this trip we stayed at Bay View Farm Caravan and Camping Park, located within walking distance of both the beach and the village. It offered the balance we were looking for: good facilities, plenty of space and an excellent base for exploring Croyde without constantly moving the van. We first stayed here when the children were younger and it still suits us today. Read our full campsite review:
Bay View Farm Caravan and Camping Park Review, Croyde, North Devon
What We Packed
Every campervan trip teaches you something.
Over the years our packing list has evolved from taking far too much to carrying only what we know we’ll actually use. That includes everything from awning equipment and cooking gear to beach essentials and the little items that make life easier when you’re parked up for a week.
Now we pack for sunshine, wind and rain in the same week, having learnt the hard way that North Devon can deliver all three.
Now we plan for every weather eventuality, having learnt the hard way.
See our complete guide: Croyde Campervan Packing List: What We Actually Take
Things We Did
One of the best things about Croyde is that you can make the holiday as active or relaxed as you want.
Some days were spent almost entirely on the beach. Others involved exploring the surrounding coastline, walking sections of the South West Coast Path, visiting local attractions and simply enjoying village life. Whatever the weather, we had fun filling our time.
Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple or solo in a campervan, there is plenty to fill a week without ever feeling rushed.
Things To Do in Croyde: A Week at the Beach
Sunsets on Croyde Beach
If there is one thing that defines our memories of Croyde, it’s the sunsets.
As the day draws to a close, the beach transforms completely. Surfers catch their final waves, swimmers are in the water for the golden sunshine moment, families linger on the sand and the light begins to turn the sea and sky into shades of gold, orange and pink.
Some evenings felt almost impossible to photograph properly because no camera quite captured what we were seeing.
We’ve collected our favourite viewing locations and photography tips here:
Croyde Food and Shops
The Hub is where we buy fresh bread/pasty’s for trips home and ice creams on hot days – a family tradition,
A good holiday often ends up being remembered through its meals.
From ice creams, pasty’s to evening meals after a day in the sea, food became part of the rhythm of the trip. Some places we returned to more than once, while others were happy discoveries found during the week.
We’ve gathered our recommendations into a guide:
A good holiday often ends up being remembered through its meals.
From ice creams on the beach and bakery visits in the village to evening meals after a day by the sea, food became part of the rhythm of every day in Croyde. Some places became regular favourites, while others were happy discoveries.
Of course, campervan life also means keeping the cupboards stocked. Throughout the week we used local shops, picked up supplies and discovered a few useful places that we’ll return to on future visits.
What We Didn’t Get Around To
No trip ever goes exactly to plan.
There were several things we intended to do but simply ran out of time. Even after several visits, we still haven’t managed to do everything on our list.
A few extra coastal walks, more time exploring nearby Georgeham, a surfing trip to Saunton and a couple of attractions further along the North Devon coast remain firmly on the list for our next visit.
In many ways, that’s part of what keeps Croyde interesting. Even after multiple visits, there is always something left for next time.
If you’re planning a longer stay, consider leaving room in your itinerary for spontaneous discoveries. Some of our favourite moments happened when we abandoned the plan altogether.
Our Family’s Verdict
Croyde manages something that many popular seaside destinations struggle to achieve.
It remains beautiful without feeling overdeveloped, lively without feeling hectic and family-friendly without losing its character.
For campervan travellers, it offers a rare combination of excellent campsites, easy beach access, spectacular scenery and enough food, shops and facilities to make a week-long stay comfortable.
Most importantly, it creates the kind of holiday memories that stay with you long after you’ve driven home.
Would we return?
Absolutely.
In fact, by the time we’re driving home along the A303, we’re usually talking about when we can come back.
In fact, we’re already talking about the next trip.