If a stay in our North Devon holiday cottages with indoor pool facilities is your idea of winding down after a good run, cycle and swim, then why not sign up for the new Olympic distance triathlon taking place in spectacular North Devon? The Croyde Ocean Triathlon, which is right on our doorstep, promises to provide an adrenaline-charged 1.5km sea swim in the Atlantic Ocean, a testing 40km bike route along coastal roads with some ‘interesting’ climbs and descents en route, finishing with a painstaking 12km trail run. There are only 300 spots available, and the race will see entrants start at Putsborough Sands, with marshals recruited from the local Croyde Surf Lifesaving Club who will ensure athletes are safe in the water. Once out of the water, competitors will undertake their gruelling bike route, designed by pro cyclist Chris Green, who marked out the London 2012 Olympic bike course. The bike course will take athletes through the villages of Croyde and Braunton before they start a testing climb towards the coastal town of Ilfracombe, taking them into the town, before taking them back to Putsborough via the picturesque hamlets of Pickwell and Pickwell Manor. Competitors will then move onto the trail run, where they will now be ‘digging deep’ as they embark on this hilly, possibly muddy, course. Just when the athletes thought they were worked hard enough, they’ll have to stay in the hurt locker a little longer as the route tests them with an additional 2km more than the usual Olympic tri distance, with a host of panoramic views of Putsborough, Saunton and Croyde Bay- not that they’ll notice them at this point! The event will be taking place on Saturday 11 July with online entry and registration available now by visiting croydeocean.co.uk/. Image: Image: Samulili under Creative Commons.
Honey Pot is a beautiful, compact cottage ideal for couples. Honey Pot is dog-friendly and fully equipped for a comfortable break in North Devon.
Primrose Lane cottage is a dog-friendly, compact cottage. Boasting a double bedroom, Primrose Lane cottage can sleep up to 3 with a pull out sofa bed ideal for children
Buttercup Cottage is an ideal cottage for families, especially those with fury members as its dog-friendly. Located in the courtyard, Buttercup cottage can sleep 4
Located in the courtyard, Honeysuckle Cottage is dog-friendly and ideal for families of up to 4.
Sea View cottage is a superb, dog-friendly holiday cottage with stunning views across the North Devon coast. Ideal for families of 5. The bedrooms have the amazing view across the Sterridge valley and the Bristol Channel to Wales
Sunalways Cottage is a spacious, family-friendly cottage sleeping 5 with beautiful views of the Sterridge valley. The vaulted ceilings give a large bright spacious living area
Fisherswood Cottage is a large and spacious cottage with beautiful vaulted ceilings. Sleeping up to 5 guests.
Forest View Cottage is a large, spacious cottage ideal for large families. This cottage is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 6 guests.
Meadow Sweet is dog friendly and the largest cottage at Smythen Farm. Book this cottage early as its well sort-after for large families or 2 families sharing. Meadow Sweet boasts stunning views across the Sterridge Valley.