Coastal Escape

HOTEL OVERVIEW

So Coastal Escape sits right in the middle of Tarka Holiday Park in Barnstaple, and honestly? It’s one of those places that completely defies what you’d expect from a holiday park hotel. I mean, when I first pulled up, I was prepared for something pretty basic – you know how these park accommodations can be – but this place actually has some serious character to it.

The whole setup is refreshingly different from your typical chain hotel experience. There’s no fancy star rating plastered everywhere, which initially made me wonder what I was getting into, but that’s sort of the point. The owners have gone for this boutique vibe that feels deliberately unpretentious, if that makes sense. The rooms have this comfortable, lived-in quality – not shabby, just… real. You’ll find proper attention to detail in unexpected places, like really good coffee facilities (thank god) and windows that actually open properly for that North Devon sea breeze. The bathrooms are modern enough without trying too hard, and honestly, the beds are more comfortable than some four-star places I’ve stayed in London.

What really works here is the location within Barnstaple itself. You’re close enough to the town center that you can easily walk to Butchers Row for dinner – there’s this brilliant little gastropub there that locals actually go to, not just tourists. The Taw estuary is practically on your doorstep, which means you can hear the water at night if you crack a window (it’s lovely, actually). Parking’s straightforward, which anyone who’s tried to navigate Barnstaple’s town center will appreciate. The staff seem to genuinely know the area too – they pointed me toward this coastal path that leads to Instow that I never would’ve found otherwise. Takes about twenty minutes on foot and the views across to Appledore are spectacular, especially around sunset. You know what surprised me most though? How quiet it gets in the evenings, even during peak season. The holiday park setting could’ve been chaotic, but it’s actually quite peaceful once families settle in for the night. Sure, it’s not luxury in the traditional sense – don’t expect room service or a concierge – but there’s something refreshing about a place that focuses on getting the basics really right instead of trying to be everything to everyone. The whole experience feels authentic to North Devon rather than like some corporate hotel that could be anywhere. If you’re looking for genuine local character without paying boutique hotel prices, and you want to actually experience Barnstaple rather than just pass through it, this place makes a lot of sense.