Westward Ho!


Unlike Appledore which is over 650 years old, Westward Ho! originated as recently as 1863 as a hotel and building company taking advantage of the success of Charles Kingsley’s novel of the same name (set initially in nearby Bideford) to promote tourism to North Devon. It's worth noting that this one of the rare communities that includes an exclamation mark in its name.


The community has expanded over the years but remains a seaside resort with holiday flats and cottages, a boardwalk, and a fun fair. The beach extends for 3 miles and is popular with surfers.


Rudyard Kipling went to school in Westward Ho! and his collection of stories, Stalky & Co., is based on his experiences at the United Services College.


I left Appledore in brilliant sunshine, but the sky had clouded over by the time I arrived in Westward Ho! half an hour later, and by the end of the day it was grey and drizzling. This was of little consequence, but it does affect the quality of my photographs.

Cranachan in honour of Robbie Burns

I had an excellent lunch at The Pier House, which directly overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.


Afterwards I walked along a stretch of the Southwest Coast Path, admiring the waves hitting the rocky shore on one side and the green fields on the other.

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