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You are here > Things To Do > Attractions > Beaches

Beaches

Having two coastlines which vary enormously in character means that Devon's beaches are beautiful, characterful - and numerous.

Family-friendly

Many of Devon's beaches have won awards for being great great places for kids to do what kids do - muck about and have fun. With long stretches of sand, sheltered clean waters, good facilities and often rock pools a-plenty, they're a great place to spend a day.

Recommended family-friendly beaches

Woolacombe: miles of soft sand, with attractions on the beach including great old-school swing boats. Facilities nearby includes food and drink, ice creams and toilets
Dawlish Warren: a sand-dune backed beach with entertainment and facilities for people of all ages
Paignton: a sandy beach with safe swimming and lots of activities to enjoy
Westward Ho!: this long sandy beach is right next to the village, with attractions, kiosks, food and drink and toilets within easy reach

Dog-friendly

Dogs are welcome on most of Devon's beaches, some totally without restriction, and some with a few requirements in terms of area or time of year - just check out the rules before you go.

Recommended dog-friendly beaches

Beesands Beach: welcomes pets all year round. Free car parking nearby
Salcombe North Sands: welcomes pets all year round. Good, safe swimming
Saunton Sands: welcomes pets all year round. Dogs enjoy exploring the dunes
Instow: welcomes pets all year round. Also has dunes, which dogs love

Quiet & secluded

For every large popular beach there are 10 'secret' ones just around the headland ... tucked away and peaceful, you can be the only one on a beautiful Devon beach if you're lucky.

Recommended secluded Devon beaches

Greencliffs: this pebbly beach just round the headland from Westward Ho! in North Devon isn’t accessible by car – but is well worth the walk along the South West Coast Path
Crow Point: head towards Braunton then follow the signs to this secluded beach that’s backed by dunes
Ness Cove Beach: nestled between beautiful red cliffs, this beach is reached via an old smugglers’ tunnel
Fishcombe Cove: a small shingle beach in a peaceful little cove that’s protected on all sides by tall red cliffs

Active & pumping

Devon's also known for its great surf and watersports - some of our beaches are known for being great for beginners, whilst others are best for those with more experience.

Recommended surfing beaches

Bantham: picks up any available Atlantic swell travelling up the English Channel and is a spectacular setting
Croyde: this famous surfing beach is very popular, but some experience is needed as the waves can be big
Woolacombe: a good surfing beach for beginners
Putsborough Beach: in a sheltered spot, Putsborough can offer fun waves when it’s too windy or rough elsewhere

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Number of results: 32

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Saunton Sands

Saunton

A 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. This is a…
Rockham Beach (Mortehoe)

Woolacombe

A small secluded bay with good rock pools is a good way to describe Mortehoe.
The sandy rocky beach comprises of the perfect combination for some fabulous hidden rock…
Lee Bay Beach

Ilfracombe

Image credit - Linda Thompson

This wonderfully secluded beach regarded by some as 'the jewel in the crown of Lee' is located 2 miles West of Ilfracombe a…
Barricane Beach

Woolacombe

Barricane is a picturesque cove tucked in between the rocks, famous for cowries and other exotic sea shells.
Local folklore says that these shells have travelled off the…
Wild Pear Beach

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. The rocky beach protected from…
Combe Martin Beach

Ilfracombe

Image credit - Lindsay Derbyshire

A large area of sand set in Combe Martin a small resort town located at the western edge of the Exmoor National Park is the home…
Braunton Burrows

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…
Croyde Beach

Braunton

Croyde Bay is a sandy beach backed by sand dunes and situated in a small bay on the North Devon Coast.
Croyde Bay is very popular with swimmers more experienced surfers…
Westward Ho! Beach

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.
…
Wildersmouth Beach

Ilfracombe

This ancient cove was a popular bay for smugglers. High sided cliffs drop down to a small rocky bay with shingle and sand. This bay is sheltered and peaceful.
Combesgate Beach

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.
Access…
Watermouth Bay

Ilfracombe

Watermouth cove offers a very sheltered secluded harbour shielded by the natural breakwater of Sexton's Burrows as well as picture-perfect views.
This has created an…
Putsborough Sands

Georgeham, Braunton

Three miles of golden sands stretching north towards Woolacombe and Morte Point and south towards Baggy Point make up Putsborough.
It is one of the finest delightful…
Lynmouth Beach

Lynmouth

Image Credit - Jill Turner

Surrounded by the spectacular wooded hills of Exmoor National Park Lynmouth offers some of the best cliff top drives and walks around…
Bucks Mills Beach

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 quiet most of the time.
Woolacombe Beach

Woolacombe

Woolacombe is one of the finest beaches in the West Country, and it is easy to see why it has won numerous awards. It’s a big favourite with families and surfers attracting…
Otter Estuary Nature Reserve

EAST DEVON

This compact and accessible estuary supports a particularly well developed saltmarsh flora that includes such characteristic plants as glasswort, sea puslane, and sea…
Instow 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.
There is…
Dawlish Town Beach

Dawlish

Within a short walk from the town centre, Dawlish Beach is ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of the town. The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle, and follows the…
Seaton Beach

Seaton

Overlooking Lyme Bay and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Seaton Beach is a large pebble beach stetchching over a mile long. Gently sloping, the beach is an ideal spot…