I’ll never forget the drive down to North Devon – sat nav on, windows down, and a playlist of indie tunes blasting away. But typical me, I took a wrong turn somewhere near Barnstaple, ending up on a narrow lane that seemed to twist into oblivion. Branches scraping the car, heart racing a bit, I thought, “Great, we’re lost before we’ve even arrived.” Twenty minutes later, we stumbled out onto the main road, laughing it off, and finally spotted the turn for our beautiful barn, just a short drive from Ilfracombe’s Victorian charm. Pulling up, my first impression? Absolute bliss. The place had this cosy, welcoming vibe, tucked away in a peaceful spot that promised lazy mornings and starry nights.

From the off, I was buzzing with anticipation – what hidden corners would we uncover? North Devon’s got that magic where you can veer off the tourist trail and find pure gold. First morning, we headed towards Ilfracombe but ditched the high street for a whim. Got properly lost on some unmarked paths behind the town, and blimey, we tumbled upon this tucked-away cove you’d never spot on a map. Crystal water lapping at pebbles, not a soul in sight – just us, a thermos of tea, and seals barking in the distance. Felt like we’d gatecrashed paradise.

Kept the theme going with off-the-beaten-path rambles. One afternoon, aiming for a coastal walk, we missed a signpost (story of our trip) and ended up scrambling along a rugged cliff path that wasn’t on any app. The views? Breathtaking – jagged rocks plunging into the sea, gulls wheeling overhead. We picnicked on pasties from a no-frills bakery we found by accident in Ilfracombe’s backstreets, the kind with flaky pastry that leaves crumbs everywhere. Pure joy, even if I did nearly topple off the edge showing off for a photo. Self-reflection moment: I’m always chasing the next bend in the road, but getting lost like that reminds me to slow down and just breathe it all in.

Exmoor’s edges were calling too, so we drove a bit, took a dodgy left, and discovered a wildflower meadow bursting with colour – think butterflies and buzzing bees, right on the fringe of the national park. No crowds, no car parks, just us wandering hand-in-hand. Back near the barn, we found a secret garden spot, overgrown and wild, perfect for an evening unwind with local cider. And that horizon view of Lundy Island? Magical. We even hopped on the MS Oldenburg from Ilfracombe one day – total fluke finding the quiet ticket spot – puffing across to spot puffins and seals up close.

Woolacombe and Saunton Sands were tempting, but we stuck to our lost-and-found vibe, unearthing empty stretches of golden sand via forgotten tracks. No adventure parks or big National Trust haunts for us; it was all about those accidental gems that make you feel like a local. Left with sandy boots, a sun-kissed nose, and a promise to return. North Devon’s off-grid spots? They’ve got my heart.