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.

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.

Beautiful beaches

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.

Never too far from the beach

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.

Surfing capital of North Devon

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!

Accessible beaches

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!