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Devon beaches: 20 of the most beautiful

20th July 2017

Categories: Visitor News

There are more beautiful Devon beaches than you can shake a piece of driftwood at – which made putting together a list of 20 of the most beautiful Devon beaches a real challenge!

Read on for a list of some of the most beautiful beaches in Devon, and follow the links to find many, many more – and let us know via Facebook or Twitter if you have a favourite that we’ve not included!

South and south east coast

Hope Cove beach: A sheltered, sandy beach, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is popular with families.

Anstey’s Cove: Quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful, this small shingle beach is the place to come if you want to escape the crowds.

Budleigh Salterton beach: Safe bathing, clear waters and rockpools, plus beachside cafes and beachhuts – a popular beach for families.

Broadsands beach: This long sandy beach and calm stretch of sea also has a large area of parkland directly behind the beach, which is a great place for a kickaround.

Dawlish Warren: With its long stretch of sand, clean waters and amusements, this beach offers the real traditional seaside holiday experience – and it’s dog-friendly too.

St Mary’s Bay: This secluded sandy beach just off the South West Coast Path has interesting rock formations and surrounding cliffs. It’s not accessible without a good pair of walking feet – but is well worth the effort!

Oddicombe beach: Paddling for the young, watersports for the brave, and accessible via road or the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.

Meadfoot Beach: In a stunning location at the bottom of a row of imposing cliffs, you can wander along the promenade lined with beach chalets, then stop in the popular beach café.

Blackpool Sands: This beautiful, privately-managed beach has good facilities, and is backed by evergreens and scented pines, giving it more than a whiff of the Mediterranean.

Branscombe beach: You can arrange fishing trips from this beach, and there’s a good cliff top walk to Beer, too.

East Portlemouth: Actually made up of a number of small beaches, which means you can hunt down your very own secluded spot. Kids will love the shallow rock pools at low tide, and it’s dog-friendly too.

Bantham beach: Situated in a designated AONB, Bantham beach has beautiful scenery with panoramic views over Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island.

Beesands beach: A mile-long shingle beach backed by fields and a freshwater lake offering a taste of old-school Devon life, with fishing boats selling the catch of the day and fresh crab sandwiches.

Bigbury beach: A stunning sandy beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty joined by causeway to Burgh Island, with shallow water for paddling and rock pools to explore.

Thurlestone beach: Made up of two peaceful beaches, both sheltered and with waters that are shallow enough for kids to splash about in.

North coast

Barricane beach: A picturesque landscape tucked in between the rocks, famous for cowries and other exotic sea shells.

Woolacombe beach: A big favourite for families and surfers, Woolacombe beach welcomes thousands of people each summer and has great attractions and facilities on and alongside the sands.

Croyde beach: Very popular with swimmers and more experienced surfers, as it’s been rated one of the best surfing beaches in the world.

Saunton Sands: This long straight sandy beach is backed by the impressive Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, but has good facilities nearby, too.