I’ll never forget the drive down to North Devon – sat nav leading us on a merry dance through those twisty lanes, only for it to conk out just as we hit a massive puddle from last night’s rain. Splash! We ended up soaked and laughing, pulling over to use the missus’s phone instead. But honestly, that little mishap was the perfect teaser for what turned out to be a cracking holiday at this gorgeous three-storey cottage on the rural edge of Bideford. As we rolled through those big electric gates, hearts racing with that buzz of arrival, the panoramic views over the river estuary hit us like a tonic. Tucked away up high, it felt like our own secret hideaway, all luxurious and spacious, with a woodburner begging for a chilly evening log-up and a hot tub winking at us from the garden.

We were there with the family and a couple of mates – perfect for our birthday bash – and from the off, it was pure bliss. Mornings kicked off at the breakfast bar with full fry-ups, then we’d gather round the massive dining table for brekkie natter. Evenings? Barbie out on the terrace overlooking the serene estuary, followed by sinking into the plush sofas for a movie marathon, stove crackling away. The games room kept the kids (and us big kids) entertained for hours – table football battles that descended into chaos. Bedrooms were spot on too, with en-suites galore and no morning queues thanks to that family bathroom. And that garden! Steps down to a huge lawn where the dog went feral with fetch, and the hot tub became our nightly ritual, bubbles and stars and those estuary views melting the world away.

What made it though, were the hidden gems we stumbled on by pure accident – proper off-the-beaten-track stuff that only comes from getting gloriously lost. First day, we took a wrong turn heading for Westward Ho! beach (just a short hop away) and ended up on a tiny path snaking down to Instow sands. Dog heaven that – endless walks with barely a soul around, waves lapping at the Torridge estuary, seals popping up like nosy neighbours. We picnicked there till sunset, feeling like we’d nicked a private beach.

Next, faffing about on footpaths from the cottage, we veered off the Tarka Trail – that flat, scenic loop near Barnstaple – onto a forgotten estuary track. Led us straight to a working harbour nook where old boats bobbed and herons fished like pros. No tourists, just us spotting puffins out towards Lundy on binoculars we’d packed on a whim. Pure magic. Another time, aiming for Bideford’s Burton art gallery (cracking little spot for local history), we got muddled in the back lanes and discovered a quiet Landtrust bird hide overlooking the water. Sat there for ages, tea in hand, watching rare birds flit about – turned a simple wander into a proper nature fix.

Paddleboarding from the estuary right below was a highlight too – grabbed boards from a local hire and wobbled out at low tide, discovering coves you’d never find on a map. Even popped over to The BIG Sheep for farmyard giggles, but the real joy was those unplanned detours: a wildflower meadow for impromptu cricket, or a crumbling old bridge viewpoint with estuary panoramas that stopped us in our tracks.

Looking back, I reckon I needed that nudge to slow down – life’s rush had me knackered, but getting lost here forced me to breathe, chat, laugh more. This corner of North Devon’s full of those unadvertised treasures if you let the lanes lead you. If you’re after a family getaway that feels like your own undiscovered world, hunt out a spot like this. We’re already plotting a return.