Lodges in Croyde: 7 Lodge Parks Near the Beach (2026)

Stand on the sand at Croyde at low tide and you’ll see why surfers have loved this little bay for decades. A green headland shelters one side, the dunes roll back towards a thatched village, and the waves peel in clean on a westerly swell while the pubs fill up with salty, happy people. Book one of the lodges in Croyde or the villages around it and you’ve got the lot on your doorstep: the surf in the morning, a coastal walk after lunch and a long soak in a hot tub as the sun drops into the Atlantic.

Croyde Bay sits between Baggy Point and the dunes, a short walk from the nearest lodges

This guide covers seven lodge and log cabin parks within about 25 minutes of the village, all from our own listings. You’ll find drive times, who each one suits, the dog rules for the beaches and the best months to visit this corner of the North Devon coast.

Above this guide you can browse every holiday lodge near Croyde, each with live availability.

Where are the best lodges in Croyde and nearby?

Only one park sits right in the village. The rest are dotted round Georgeham, Braunton and the lanes inland from Woolacombe, so you’re choosing between staying on the bay and staying somewhere quieter with the sea a few minutes away.

Tap a heading to sort the table.

Lodge park	Drive (mins)	Sleeps	Hot tubs	Pets
Ruda	1	13	Yes	Yes
March End Lodges	7	2	Yes	Yes
Great Field Lodges	11	2	Yes	Yes
Golden Coast Holiday Park	14	8	Yes	Yes
The Vista at Willingcott	15	8	No	No
Tarka Holiday Park	17	6	No	Yes
Beach Cove Coastal Retreat	25	2	Yes	Yes

Ruda, Croyde Bay

Driving Distance: About 1 minute | Sleeps: Up to 13 | Pet friendly: Yes

If you want to roll out of bed and onto the sand, this is the one. The park sits right behind Croyde Bay, with miles of golden shore on the doorstep and plenty going on for a family holiday.

Indoor pool, evening entertainment and a full set of on-site facilities
Some lodges come with their own hot tub
Room for up to 13 in the largest, handy for a family get-together

It’s the busiest choice in the school holidays, so get in early.

March End Lodges, Georgeham

Driving Distance: About 2 to 7 minutes | Sleeps: 2 | Pet friendly: Yes

A working farm on the edge of Georgeham, the next village inland, with three one-bedroom luxury lodges: Top Meadow, Rafters and Thistledown. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you countryside views over the fields, and each one has a private hot tub on a decked terrace.

The Rock Inn and The Georges Arms, both dog friendly, are a short stroll away
Croyde Beach is about five minutes in the car
Level access throughout, good if anyone finds steps hard going
Rated 4.8 by guests

Great Field Lodges, Braunton

Driving Distance: About 11 minutes | Sleeps: 2 | Pet friendly: Yes

Six self catering lodges for two on the edge of the town, about five minutes from Saunton Sands. Every one has a hot tub under a glass roof, so a wet Devon evening doesn’t spoil the soak.

Underfloor heating and ramp access
A secure lawned garden for the dog
Pubs and restaurants about 10 minutes away on foot
Middle Thorne adds EV charging and surfboard storage

The others are Cutterbrough, Swanpool, Hayditch, Croftner and Broadpath.

Golden Coast Holiday Park, Woolacombe

Driving Distance: About 14 minutes | Sleeps: Up to 8 | Pet friendly: Yes

This Woolacombe park is two miles from the beach and about a quarter of an hour from Croyde

Kids who get bored of building sandcastles (it happens) will be happy here. Woolacombe’s big beach is two miles away and Croyde is just over the hill.

Heated indoor pool and sauna
Outdoor pool with flumes
Fishing on site
Hot tub lodges in the mix
Discounts on local attractions from Reception

The Vista at Willingcott, near Woolacombe

Driving Distance: About 15 minutes | Sleeps: 8 | Pets: No

Larch-clad eco houses in a quiet valley two miles inland from Woolacombe, each spacious enough for eight with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and private decking with a fire pit dining area. Guests share a heated outdoor pool, open from May to September, and the Tarka Trail runs right past. They’re rated a perfect 5.0.

Sharing one of these between two families or a group of friends is the easiest way to keep the cost down, and with four bedrooms nobody ends up on the sofa bed. Pop your numbers in below.

There are several houses on the estate, including No.2 and No.9. Each one has an EV charging point. Woolacombe, just down the road, is a World Class Surfing Reserve!

Tarka Holiday Park, near Barnstaple

Driving Distance: About 17 minutes | Sleeps: Up to 6 | Pet friendly: Yes

Tarka Holiday Park has no clubhouse or pool, just peace and quiet close to Barnstaple

No clubhouse, no pool, no restaurant. That’s the point. Tarka is a laid-back park less than five miles from the biggest town in North Devon, and guests rate it 5.0 for exactly that calm. It suits anyone who’d rather come back from the sea to silence than to a disco.

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, Hele Bay

Driving Distance: About 25 minutes | Sleeps: 2 | Pet friendly: Yes

Bright beach hut style retreats at Hele Bay come with direct access to the sand

Part of the Bouja boutique collection, this is a small cluster of brightly painted beach hut style retreats and apartments on a cove just east of Ilfracombe, with direct access to the sand. Some have a sea view straight out over Hele Bay. It’s a romantic getaway for couples, and a lovely base if you want a second, quieter cove after a day in the Croyde surf. For more on that stretch of coast, see our guide to lodges near Ilfracombe.

Which Croyde lodge suits you?

It comes down to who’s coming and how close you need to be to the waves.

Couples

March End, Great Field and Beach Cove are all one-bedroom lodges for two, and every one has a hot tub.

Families and big groups

Ruda for staying on the bay, with room for up to 13
Golden Coast for the pools and flumes, sleeping 8
Willingcott for space and a fire pit, sleeping 8

Dog owners and quiet breaks

Six of the seven parks welcome pets, and Willingcott is the one that doesn’t. Tarka is the pick if you want no entertainment at all. Want the full spread? Browse every lodge with a hot tub or every dog friendly lodge across the country.

Can you take your dog on Croyde beach?

Not in summer. Under North Devon Council’s dog control order, which came into force on 1 January 2024 for three years, dogs aren’t allowed on Croyde Bay Beach between 1 May and 30 September. In the dunes, and along the bottom of them, they must be on a lead over the same dates. The fixed penalty is £100.

From October to April the sand is all yours, and it’s glorious on a crisp Devon morning.

A few nearby beaches still allow dogs in some zones over the main season. These are the rules as Woolacombe Tourism lists them, so check the signs when you arrive.

Beach	From Croyde	Dogs in the main season
Croyde Bay	In the village	None 1 May to 30 September, leads in the dunes
Saunton Sands	A short drive south	Allowed, with some marked areas restricted
Putsborough Sands	North, round the headland	None south of the steps 1 April to 30 September, allowed in the other zone
Woolacombe	About 15 minutes north	Allowed, but not at the north end, and on leads from the stream to Mill Rock (9am to 6pm)
Combesgate	Just north of Woolacombe	None 30 April to 30 September

Things to do from your lodge near Croyde

Surf the bay

Croyde’s wave is fast, hollow and powerful, and it really rewards experienced surfers. Rips can be strong, so if you’re new to it, book a lesson with one of the village surf schools, such as Surf South West close to the shore, or wait for a smaller day. Low tide is when it barrels hardest.

Walk round Baggy Point

The National Trust’s circular walk loops round the headland and over the top, with Woolacombe on one side and Croyde on the other. It’s a proper coastal walk, so wear shoes with grip.

About 4.6 miles, roughly two hours, rated challenging
Parking at the National Trust car park, EX33 1PA, open 8am to 9.30pm
Pay with the JustPark app, code 80511, and download it first as signal is patchy
Sandleigh tea room by the car park, open 10am to 4pm
An easy access path with sea views for wheelchair users

Explore Braunton Burrows

Just south of Saunton, the Burrows are a huge sweep of dunes around 5km long, at the heart of the UNESCO North Devon Biosphere. Over 400 kinds of flowering plant grow here, along with 33 recorded butterfly species, and skylarks nest in the grass. Parts close now and then for military training.

Cycle the Tarka Trail

Hire a bike in Braunton and ride the old railway line along the Taw estuary into Barnstaple without meeting a car. The traffic-free stretch to Meeth runs for 31 miles.

Eat and drink in the village

Croyde is tiny, but it punches well above its weight. The Thatch, a 16th century thatched inn, has been the surfers’ local for decades (it even helps run events with the Museum of British Surfing!). Then there’s the 16th century Manor House Inn, with a sunny beer garden and a Sunday carvery from 12pm to 7pm.

Head for Exmoor and beyond

The moors of Exmoor make an easy day trip. The National Trust’s Arlington Court is in our guide to lodges near Arlington’s bluebell woods, and the cobbled fishing village across Bideford Bay is in our Clovelly lodges guide.

Quiet lanes, dogs allowed on the sand and big winter swells for experienced surfers.

Still very quiet and often wet. Good for storm watching and cosy pub lunches.

Days stretch out and the dunes start waking up.

Surf forecasters rate spring as the most consistent time for clean waves. Dogs are allowed on the bay until the end of the month.

Long, light evenings before the crowds. The dog ban on Croyde Bay starts on 1 May.

The longest days of the year, great for lessons, rock pools and coast path walks.

Warm and lively once the schools break up, so plan early.

Peak season. The village and car parks fill fast.

The sea’s at its warmest and the families have gone home. Dogs are still banned on the bay until the 30th.

Dogs are back on the sand from 1 October and autumn brings some of the cleanest swells of the year.

Moody and good value, with decent surf and empty sand.

Dark early, but a frosty walk then an evening in the hot tub is hard to beat.

What to pack for a Croyde lodge break

Tick these off as you pack. Your list is saved on this device.

Wetsuit, or budget to hire one in the village
Swimwear and a dressing gown for the hot tub
Walking shoes with grip for the headland
JustPark app downloaded before you lose signal
Windbreak and sun cream
A lead for the dunes and a towel for sandy paws
Bikes, or a booking for bike hire on the Tarka Trail
Binoculars for the birds on the Burrows
A head torch for the dark lanes back from the pub
Waterproof jacket, because it’s Devon

Croyde lodge FAQs

Are dogs allowed on Croyde beach?

Not between 1 May and 30 September, under North Devon Council’s order, and they must be on a lead in the dunes over the same dates. From October to April they’re welcome.

Which lodges near Croyde have hot tubs?

Ruda, March End, Great Field, Golden Coast and Beach Cove all have hot tub lodges. At March End and Great Field every lodge has one.

Is there a lodge park right in Croyde?

Yes. Ruda sits behind Croyde Bay, about a minute’s drive from the village centre.

Can a big group stay together near Croyde?

Ruda has accommodation for up to 13 people. Willingcott and Golden Coast both take up to 8, which suits two families sharing.

Is Croyde good for beginner surfers?

It’s a powerful wave with strong rips, so it’s best for experienced surfers on a big day. Beginners should book a lesson or go out on a small, calm day.

Where do you park for Baggy Point?

Use the National Trust car park (EX33 1PA), open 8am to 9.30pm. You pay through JustPark with code 80511, and members park free.

How far is Croyde from Braunton and Barnstaple?

Braunton is about 11 minutes by car, with the bigger shops and bike hire. Barnstaple is around 9 miles further on.

Book your Croyde lodge holiday

A hot tub for two in Georgeham or a family lodge a minute from the surf: there’s a stay round Croyde for the way you like to holiday. You’ll find plenty more across the county on our Devon lodges page. Or start with the full list of holiday lodges across the UK and pick your dates.