A winter's retreat in Croyde, north-west Devon, beckoned. The prospect of an empty beach, devoid of windbreaks and chaos, seemed too enticing to resist. A special offer from Endless Summer Beach House, a 20% discount on winter stays, sealed the deal.
As we arrived in this idyllic seaside town, the sky boasted an unexpected blue hue, setting the tone for what promised to be a magical weekend. The pristine dunes, safeguarded by strict regulations, stood proudly alongside the beach and village, untouched by development that has ravaged nearby resorts like Westward Ho! and Woolacombe.
A stroll along the beach revealed its natural beauty in all its glory. The fields adjacent to the dunes were dotted with rabbits grazing peacefully, their white tails flicking away as we passed. It was a serene atmosphere, one that would have been impossible to experience during the peak summer months.
We soon discovered that not everything was hushed and still. A visit to The Thatch pub for dinner on Friday night revealed a bustling scene, albeit populated by locals who were clearly enjoying each other's company. The food was exceptional, with standout dishes like crispy salt and pepper squid and Balinese seafood curry.
The following day, we ventured to Braunton (just 15 minutes away) to enjoy the annual firework display. Our walk to the beach took us along picturesque lanes we'd never explored before, a testament to Croyde's off-season charm. As we strolled along the shore, a few people passed by, beaming with delight at our shared experience of having the coastline pretty much to ourselves.
Beyond the beaches and village, this winter break had many benefits. Unpredictable weather made every day a bonus – whether the sun shone brightly or rain poured down. We revelled in its unpredictability. Board games, old films, hearty curries and bolognese took centre stage as we entertained ourselves, our energy levels boosted by having no expectations to meet.
The notion of Croyde being a "ghost town" during off-season has the potential to deter visitors – a tragic mistake. In reality, it's anything but quiet. The atmosphere is more relaxed and genuine, one that encourages spontaneity and camaraderie within any group visiting.
As we left our winter wonderland on Monday lunchtime, the promise of an early return beckoned from Endless Summer Beach House. A haven for those seeking refuge in an idyllic setting – book your next break now and soak up Croyde's post-summer tranquility.
As we arrived in this idyllic seaside town, the sky boasted an unexpected blue hue, setting the tone for what promised to be a magical weekend. The pristine dunes, safeguarded by strict regulations, stood proudly alongside the beach and village, untouched by development that has ravaged nearby resorts like Westward Ho! and Woolacombe.
A stroll along the beach revealed its natural beauty in all its glory. The fields adjacent to the dunes were dotted with rabbits grazing peacefully, their white tails flicking away as we passed. It was a serene atmosphere, one that would have been impossible to experience during the peak summer months.
We soon discovered that not everything was hushed and still. A visit to The Thatch pub for dinner on Friday night revealed a bustling scene, albeit populated by locals who were clearly enjoying each other's company. The food was exceptional, with standout dishes like crispy salt and pepper squid and Balinese seafood curry.
The following day, we ventured to Braunton (just 15 minutes away) to enjoy the annual firework display. Our walk to the beach took us along picturesque lanes we'd never explored before, a testament to Croyde's off-season charm. As we strolled along the shore, a few people passed by, beaming with delight at our shared experience of having the coastline pretty much to ourselves.
Beyond the beaches and village, this winter break had many benefits. Unpredictable weather made every day a bonus – whether the sun shone brightly or rain poured down. We revelled in its unpredictability. Board games, old films, hearty curries and bolognese took centre stage as we entertained ourselves, our energy levels boosted by having no expectations to meet.
The notion of Croyde being a "ghost town" during off-season has the potential to deter visitors – a tragic mistake. In reality, it's anything but quiet. The atmosphere is more relaxed and genuine, one that encourages spontaneity and camaraderie within any group visiting.
As we left our winter wonderland on Monday lunchtime, the promise of an early return beckoned from Endless Summer Beach House. A haven for those seeking refuge in an idyllic setting – book your next break now and soak up Croyde's post-summer tranquility.
. Think about it, a whole town just chillin' when there should be people partying nonstop like they do during the summer? It's all too perfect. The beach is pristine, the dunes are untouched... sounds like some sort of experiment to me! 
And don't even get me started on that pub, The Thatch. People were out and about, enjoying each other's company... too much. It was almost... planned. 
. Who needs crowds and chaos when you can have peaceful dunes and bunny-filled fields? 
It's actually kinda refreshing to see a place that's off the beaten path during the off-season. The pub scene sounds amazing too - food, firework displays, and good company what more could you ask for? 
I'm definitely tempted to book a stay at Endless Summer Beach House now, who needs sunshine when you can have blue skies and no crowds? 
it sounds like u had the best time ever! i mean, who needs all those tourists and chaos when u can have a beach that's literally just chillin' 
i need to start planning my own winter retreat ASAP 
. And who needs crowds when you can enjoy the beach all to yourself? 
I'd definitely consider booking a stay at Endless Summer Beach House for my next winter getaway... 
. And the fireworks display in Braunton was fire 
! The only thing that'd make this place even better is if they had more activities available, but overall, it's a solid spot to relax and unwind during the off-season 
.
and it looks like they're all about preserving that natural beauty, which is SO on trend right now 
i'm definitely adding braunton to my bucket list now
. There are just fewer tourists to disturb the peace.
. The locals were friendly and welcoming, but they weren't fussed about visitors showing up – it was like we were all in on some secret 
. We'd plan a hike one day, then decide to stay in and play board games the next 
and making the most of our time together.
! The beaches are just as beautiful, the dunes are just as pristine, and the village has just as much charm when it's quiet. Book your winter stay now and experience it for yourself