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Croyde
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North Devon has a beautiful coastline and there are plenty of stunning beaches for you to explore while staying here. Choose between relaxing beaches perfect for sunbathing, busy waterways where you can get stuck into some surfing or beaches perfect for giving your dogs a bit of exercise.
Many of North Devon’s beaches are award-winning and you’ll know why when you step foot on them, long stretches of golden sand, clean water, good facilities and beautiful cliffs and coastal walks await you.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay with several beaches for you to enjoy, head to Woolacombe. Woolacombe Beach is one of the finest beaches in the West Country, it’s a big favourite of families and surfers, attracting thousands of people each year. But that’s not all, the area of Woolacombe also has Putsborough Sands, three miles of golden sands heading north towards the main town of Woolacombe and Morte Point and south towards Baggy point. This is a delightful beach and is perfect for a little surfing. It’s a great spot for anyone who enjoys walking or wants to keep the children amused as there are lots of small rock pools to discover, plus as it is the furthest beach from the faclilities of Woolacombe, it is a little more quieter than some of ther more central beaches.
Mortehoe Beach is another small beach in the Woolacombe area, this is a small secluded bay with good rock pools. It is a sandy and rocky beach and is dog friendly, so feel free to bring your four legged friends with you! Access is by foot only, but there are some amazing coastal paths around the area and there is car parking available in Morthoe. On the far right side of Woolacombe, you’ll find Combesgate Beach, a lovely secluded beach with some attractive rock pools. It is only accessible between low and mid tide, so be sure to check before you head out!
You might also know Combesgate Beach as Barricane Beach, this beach not only offers a picturesque landscape tucked between the rocks but is famous for cowries and other exotic sea shells. It is a site of special scientific interest and is about half a mile from the main Woolacombe beach. Dogs are permitted from October to April and on leads between May and September, so it is a great place to visit as a family.
For those of you staying in other areas of North Devon, don’t worry there are plenty of opportunities for you to visit a beach or two! There is the pleasant, picturesque Bucks Mills Beach at Clovelly. It is an out of the way spot and on a clear day you can even spot Lundy Island!
Combe Martin has a beautiful beach for you to explore, it is a small resort town near the Exmoor National Park and is a great destination for families, it is located within the Heritage Coast, so you’ll be sure of seeing some beautiful scenery.
If beautiful sites and water sports are more your thing, make sure to head to Croyde Bay and Saunton Sands. Croyde Bay is very popular with swimmers and more experienced surfers and sunbathers, it is rated as one of the best surfing beaches in the world. Saunton is a long straight sandy beach which is perfect for surfers. Robbie Williams even used it in his music video for Angels, so you know it’s a pretty sight!
Also near the Exmoor National Park is Lynmouth Beach, surrounded by the wooded hills of Exmoor, this area has some of the best cliff top dives and walks and is popular with people exploring the coastal footpaths.
Just West of Ilfracombe is Lee Bay Beach, set in the picturesque village of Lee, where you’re never too far from stunning local walks, there is a reason why this is listed as being an AONB.
Not forgetting Ilfracombe and it’s array of beaches, you can visit Wildersmouth Beach for a historic feel, Wild Pear Beach for its steep walks and for those that love their touristy beaches, there is always Westward Ho!
For anyone with restricted mobility, be sure to check out Instow beach, which is wheelchair accessible, right next to the Torridge River, this is an attractive area and has been popular with artists for years.
Find out more about our beaches below!
Number of results: 17
Combe Martin
Nestled on the edge of Exmoor, Combe Martin offers beautiful rolling scenery from the highest point on the Coast Path to the lapping water’s edge of the Bristol Channel.
Woolacombe
Woolacombe is one of the finest beaches in the West Country, and it is easy to see why it has won numerous awards.
Ilfracombe
After completing the testing and steep walk of approximately 2kms you are free to enjoy what
is a wonderfully quiet and peaceful little beach.
Lynmouth
Surrounded by the spectacular wooded hills of Exmoor National Park Lynmouth offers some of the best cliff top drives and walks around leaving the pebbled beach more often…
Ilfracombe
This wonderfully secluded beach regarded by some as 'the jewel in the crown of Lee' is located 2 miles West of Ilfracombe a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.
Nr Clovelly
Bucks Mills is a rocky secluded cove at the bottom end of the picturesque village. It is quite popular for fishing but limited access means it is quite most of the time.
Woolacombe
Barricane is a picturesque cove tucked in between the rocks, famous for cowries and other exotic sea shells.
Bideford
Westward Ho! is a beach geared up to cater for every tourist's needs. With seaside shops, toilets and a range of food outlets, Westward Ho! is a popular family beach.
Bideford
A wheelchair accessible sandy beach set where the Torridge River meets the Taw estuary. This is an attractive area and has always been popular with artists.
Braunton
Croyde Bay is a sandy beach backed by sand dunes and situated in a small bay on the North Devon Coast.
Ilfracombe
Watermouth cove offers a very sheltered secluded harbour shielded by the natural breakwater
of Sexton's Burrows as well as picture-perfect views.
Saunton
Another key component of North Devon's golden coast Saunton Sands is a long straight
sandy beach backed by the impressive Braunton Burrows a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Braunton
Braunton Burrows, is one of the largest sand dune systems in the British Isles. At the heart of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it is a UNESCO…
Woolacombe
Combesgate is a lovely secluded beach located approximately 600 metres north of Woolacombe beach with some attractive rock pools ideal for children to explore.
Georgeham, Braunton
Three miles of golden sands stretching north towards Woolacombe and Morte Point and south
towards Baggy Point make up Putsborough.
Woolacombe
A small secluded bay with good rock pools is a good way to describe Mortehoe.
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