The port town of Bideford is found on the north coast of Devon, on the estuary of the River Torridge. This beautiful coastal resort is a lovely location, perfect for a cottage holiday in the South West of England. Bideford benefits from stunning coastal landscapes, great for those looking for a break by the sea. If you do wish to see some breath-taking country landscapes during your time here, both the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks are found within Devon and can be freely enjoyed. Enjoy browsing for self-catering and coastal cottages in Bideford in the West Country.
Hints and Tips on Cottage Holidays in Bideford
Rent a holiday cottage near Bideford in north west Devon for a summer holiday, or perhaps to greet the New Year and join in Bideford's celebrations. Click on any holiday cottage pages of Bideford displayed below to find a comfortable place to stay, a 'home from home' to return to after sightseeing, days on the beach and having a good time.

Bideford is a good holiday destination in Devon
People enjoying self-catered breaks in Bideford often look for holiday rentals with the following features:
About holidays in Bideford
Bideford is an estuary town on the river Torridge in north west Devon. The Bideford Long Bridge with 24 spans enables traffic to travel to and fro, from east to west, as the river flows on to join the Taw Estuary and into the Bristol channel. Handsome houses line the banks overlooking riverside. A river or coastal view is always very nice to have on holiday when we have time to stand and stare.
The textile industry flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries enabling merchants to build fine town houses, some of which can be seen in Bridgeland Street. The harbour was a busy port in those days shipping textiles and tobacco. It remains a picturesque spot for tourists to visit, photograph and you may be lucky enough to be able to book a holiday home near the harbour. It's also a popular spot to see in the New Year with thousands of revellers celebrating in the pubs, restaurants, quayside promenade and along the Long Bridge on New Year's Eve. Book holiday accommodation in Bideford far in advance if planning to spend New Year here because it is a very popular time. This especially applies to large group accommodation in Bideford.
Bring bicycles on holiday to Bideford
This is also otter country as made famous by Tarka the otter and the Tarka Trail for cyclists and walkers. The river Torridge is home to the largest populations of otters in England. Families may prefer to find a holiday cottage to rent a little way out of Bideford, in the countryside, somewhere with little traffic that is safe and peaceful for children.
North Devon offers wide sand dune backed beaches and great days out for families. Find that perfect country cottage to accommodate your family and treat them to a little bit of Devon heaven.
Places to visit around Bideford during your visit:
- Hartland Abbey and Gardens in Hartland, Bideford, north Devon,
- Tapely Park and Gardens at Instow - not far from Bideford,
- or pop over into Cornwall which is just a few miles away.
There is plenty to do in and around Bideford with Lundy Island a popular tourist destination by virtue of its amazing marine reserve. There is also the North Devon Golf Club, The Burton Art Gallery and Museum and Hartland Abbey & Gardens that are found nearby. Bideford could be an excellent base from which to discover some of the best of Devon on a cottage holiday.
Browse below to view coastal cottages and self-catering accommodation that can be found in and around the town of Bideford. Options include romantic cottages, cottages with sea views and even unusual self-catering. Click on the photos to find out more information about each property.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Bideford, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in Devon.