If you’re looking for a Scout trip that combines adventure, outdoor learning, teamwork and unforgettable experiences, North Devon should be high on your list.
With dramatic coastline, sandy beaches, rock pools, dunes, countryside and the edge of Exmoor National Park all within easy reach, North Devon is almost like one giant outdoor classroom. There are endless opportunities for Scouts to learn about the natural world, challenge themselves physically and develop the teamwork and independence that make residential trips so valuable.
And when it comes to finding somewhere practical, comfortable and affordable to stay, Ocean Backpackers in Ilfracombe makes an excellent base for exploring it all.
A natural outdoor classroom
One of the biggest advantages of bringing Scouts to North Devon is the sheer variety of environments to explore.
From rocky shores and sandy beaches to woodland, cliffs, rivers and dunes, the area provides countless opportunities for hands-on learning.
The Braunton Burrows UNESCO Biosphere site, for example, is an exceptional destination for environmental and geography activities. The extensive dune system supports a remarkable range of wildlife and plants, while also offering opportunities to explore conservation, habitats, geology and local history.
For Scouts, learning about ecosystems from a textbook is one thing. Actually getting out into the landscape, identifying plants and wildlife, examining habitats and considering how people interact with the environment is something completely different.
North Devon’s coastline also provides an ideal setting for learning about coastal erosion, geology, marine life and the forces that have shaped the landscape. Rock-pooling at locations such as Lee Bay can turn a few hours on the coast into a fascinating marine biology lesson.
Adventure is everywhere
Of course, a Scout residential isn’t just about learning — it’s about adventure.
North Devon is packed with activities that can get young people outside, working together and trying something new.
Depending on the group and programme, activities can include:
Surfing and beach activities
Coastal walks and sections of the South West Coast Path
Rock pooling and marine wildlife exploration
Cycling
Kayaking and other watersports
Coasteering
Boat trips
Wildlife watching
Orienteering and navigation
Exploring Exmoor
Beach games and team challenges
The area’s famous surfing beaches, including Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton, are within easy reach of Ilfracombe. North Devon is also recognised as a World Surfing Reserve, making it a particularly exciting destination for groups wanting to introduce Scouts to surfing and the coastal environment.
For those who prefer to stay on dry land, the South West Coast Path provides fantastic opportunities for walking, navigation and team challenges, with spectacular views along the way.
Wildlife encounters they’ll remember
Few things make a Scout trip more memorable than seeing wildlife in its natural environment.
North Devon provides plenty of opportunities for this. A boat trip to Lundy Island, a Marine Conservation Zone, can introduce Scouts to an extraordinary marine environment where seals, dolphins and seabirds may be encountered.
Lundy also provides a brilliant opportunity to discuss marine conservation and the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems.
Back on the mainland, the beaches, cliffs, rock pools and dunes around North Devon are full of opportunities for wildlife spotting. Whether you’re searching for creatures in a rock pool, looking for seabirds from the coast path or learning about dune habitats, there is always something to discover.
Learning through doing
Residential Scout trips are particularly valuable because they allow young people to learn in ways that aren’t always possible in the classroom.
A coastal walk can become a navigation exercise.
A trip to the beach can become a lesson in marine biology.
A visit to the dunes can introduce conservation and ecology.
Cooking dinner together can develop teamwork and independence.
A day of surfing can build confidence and resilience.
And simply travelling, staying somewhere new and working together as a group can help young people develop valuable life skills.
That’s what makes North Devon such a strong destination for Scout groups: education and adventure naturally overlap.
Why Ocean Backpackers makes a great Scout base
Situated right in the heart of Ilfracombe, Ocean Backpackers is ideally positioned for groups wanting to explore North Devon.
The hostel is designed with groups in mind and can be booked for exclusive use, providing a real home-from-home feel for a Scout residential. Ocean Backpackers currently offers 35 beds, with capacity for larger groups when beds are shared, as well as a separate top-floor apartment option.
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Perhaps most importantly for Scout leaders, it’s self-catering.
The large catering-style kitchen provides plenty of equipment and refrigeration space, allowing groups to plan and prepare their own meals. Cooking together can also become part of the adventure — giving Scouts responsibility for menus, shopping, food preparation and clearing up.
After a busy day outdoors, there’s a spacious communal lounge and dining area where everyone can relax, play games, plan the next day’s activities or simply share stories from the day’s adventures.
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Practical facilities for outdoor groups
Anyone who has organised an outdoor residential knows that practical facilities matter.
Wet coats and muddy boots are inevitable in North Devon, particularly when you’re walking or exploring the coast. Ocean Backpackers has a dedicated drying area, including facilities for drying coats and walking boots.
There is also secure storage for sports equipment, including bikes, surfboards and kayaks — particularly useful for active groups bringing their own equipment.
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The hostel also provides free Wi-Fi, communal facilities and bedding, helping to keep the logistics of a group stay straightforward.
And because it is located in central Ilfracombe, groups have easy access to the harbour, seafront, shops and local facilities, while many attractions are within walking distance.
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A base for exploring, not just somewhere to sleep
One of the great advantages of staying at Ocean Backpackers is its location.
Ilfracombe sits between the dramatic North Devon coastline and Exmoor, making it a convenient launch point for a wide variety of day trips.
Within walking distance are attractions including Ilfracombe Aquarium, the Lifeboat Station, Ilfracombe Museum, Tunnels Beaches and the South West Coast Path. Further afield, groups can easily plan days around Braunton Burrows, Woolacombe, Croyde, Exmoor and Lundy.
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That means a Scout group can build a varied itinerary without spending every day travelling long distances.
Affordable accommodation helps make trips possible
Cost is, understandably, a major consideration when organising a Scout residential.
Self-catering accommodation can help groups keep control of their food budget, while the hostel’s group accommodation provides flexibility for different group sizes and requirements.
For larger groups, exclusive hire can also provide the benefit of having the accommodation to yourselves, creating a relaxed environment where Scouts and leaders can enjoy the communal spaces together.
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Ocean Backpackers also welcomes schools, colleges, sports clubs and activity groups, so it is accustomed to the practical requirements of organised group visits.
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Make North Devon your next Scout adventure
A good Scout residential should leave young people with more than just photographs.
It should give them stories to tell, challenges they’ve overcome, new skills they’ve learned and experiences they’ve shared with their friends.
North Devon offers all of that in one spectacular setting.
From surfing on the beaches of Woolacombe and Croyde to exploring rock pools, walking the coast path, discovering the wildlife of Braunton Burrows or heading out to Lundy, there are opportunities for adventure around almost every corner.
And with its group-friendly facilities, self-catering kitchen, communal spaces, drying facilities and central Ilfracombe location, Ocean Backpackers provides a practical and welcoming base from which to experience it all.
So, if you’re planning your next Scout residential, why not swap the classroom for the coast?
North Devon is waiting.
Find out more about Ocean Backpackers