With an abundance of beaches, you’re never too far away from one when you visit Devon. Typically, we think of the height of summer when it comes to planning a trip to the coast, but it doesn’t have to be that way. At this time of year, the beaches are dramatic, have even better surfing conditions and are quiet, so you can enjoy a coastal stroll and with many of the restrictions lifted on dogs, the whole family can visit.
So, grab your coats and your boots and head to these beaches for a great day out this winter.
Woolacombe
As Britain’s best beach, we couldn’t leave Woolacombe off of this lift. You can find Woolacombe in North Devon where most of the coastline falls into the region’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beach at Woolacombe is long and flat making it a great spot for a winter walk and you have lots of space to explore, it’s a popular surfing beach and during the winter with bigger waves, you can really challenge yourself here. Plus, a visit to the beach during the winter is a whole different experience to visiting in the summer.
Exmouth
Another beach with miles of golden sand, Exmouth is also flat and ideal for walks and games with the while family. The nearby shops and restaurants are known to stay open even in the off season, so you can easily break up the day with a walk around town and some refreshments.
Breakwater Beach
In South Devon, Breakwater Beach is one of the beaches in the Brixham area and is a great place to walk up to Berry Head where you can often spot pods of dolphins splashing away. There is a bistro right on the front, so you can warm up with a nice cup of tea while watching the waves crash against the beach.
Paignton Sands
Not far from Brixham is the town of Paignton and its main beach is a good option for a winter beach visit. The pier is free to enter and there are amusements for you to hide away in if the weather turns, and the town centre is only a short walk away, should you need to warm up. As one of the most popular beaches in the county, visiting in the winter gives you the chance to enjoy the open space and play on the sand without having to worry about other visitors.
Croyde Bay
Heading back to North Devon, Croyde, like Woolacombe is a great beach for watersports and you’ll often notice the more experienced surfers out on the waves once the summer rush has died down. November is a particularly good time for those who want to catch some waves as the current is stronger at this time of year and as this also falls within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you’re guaranteed some incredible views, even in the winter months.
You can find more beaches to visit this winter here and a host of dog friendly beaches here.
