There is something unaccountably joyous about a last minute road trip. The nightmare drive soundtracked by soft rock and “did we just miss the turning” washed away by the thrill of arriving. Sam Lassman Watts sticks a pin in the map…

Naturally, this is when it started to rain. No matter, there are enough pubs and bars to keep most people happy. Wanting more we headed for the car and took the coastal route to Croyde Bay, another haven for surfers and during the summer months packed with a buzz of wave one-upmanship. A little up the road you’ll find Georgeham where there is a Post Office (although not for much longer) a mini store and the rather nice Rock Inn (01271 890 322). Here you can have a game of pool and five tracks on the juke box for £1 while supping some countryside beer. The food’s not too bad either and rings in around £8-£10 a head. It’s general country fare with the bonus of lots of locally sourced meat.

We settled for a drink and then lunch at Squires – Braunton’s beloved fish and chip shop. For £5 you can have a great piece of cod and some truly delicious chips. Woolacombe is not renowned for its food; people are more interested in the surf but there is plenty of choice when the sun goes down. We particularly enjoyed Sophias’ tapas bar and bistro (01271 870 771). Gordon Ramsey would have a field day with the five pages of menus but tapas for two was plentiful (£20-£27). For more refined dining visit Damien Hirst’s restaurant 11 The Quay (0271 868 090). A short drive away in Ilfracombe Hirst’s harbourside restaurant is dressed like a pharmacy and the food is very good, main courses come in about £15-£20 a head.

A little North of Ilfracombe in the moors is a hidden gem. The Heddon Valley is situated inland near the West Exmoor Coast and offers one of the most fantastical drives to a pub you will ever take. Situated at the bottom of the Valley is the Hunters Inn (01598 763 230), the perfect end to a long walk through forests and past rivers. From the Inn you can walk about a mile down to Heddon’s Mouth Beach and you will be rewarded with an absolutely stunning vista. Nearby are Lynton and Lynmouth. The former sits atop a cliff and boasts a quaint charm, while Lynmouth is situated at the bottom of the cliff and is a stark contrast – a fishing village, with a love for Cargo ship spotting. The two are joined by a cliff railway that runs on water power (go in at your own risk) and shuttles tourists up and down throughout the day. At Lynton we had one of our two cream teas, homemade scones came in ginger, fruit or plain with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam. Our first was in Morthoe, a little further west from Woolacombe. The village shop had two tables and an old lady serving delightful cream teas, she even went so far as to explain how she makes her clotted cream. A short drive back to Woolacombe along the front at sunset is a must. There are benches situated right along the front to watch the sun go down over Lundy Island.

At the other end of the beach is Baggy Point, another National Trust gem. You can either walk all the way around or follow the designated paths. The whole way around is about a two-hour walk and you face a battle of strength to defy the wind. At the peak only the bravest make the 50-yard walk to the end to watch over the daring rock climbers and to fully appreciate the force of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you can, avoid the summer holidays to steer clear of the crowd. Either way, you’ll be in for a treat