Beaches in North Devon

Broadsands Beach

Mill Park's closest beach, accessible via either Kayak or a short walk up a pretty tree lined road located opposite the Bottom Field pedestrian entrance to Mill Park (takes you up the right hand side of the Old Sawmill Pub as you face it). To access Broadsands beach you will need to descend approximately 250 "Devon steps", which are a variety of sizes and heights. There is thankfully a bench at the top of the "Devon steps" where you can take a welcome rest on your way back. Broadsands is beautiful, sheltered and due to its accessibility, it is often very quiet.

Broadsands Beach is Dog Friendly

Watermouth Harbour

Located a short walk from Mill Park, Watermouth Cove offers a very sheltered secluded harbour that is shielded by the natural breakwater of Sexton's Burrows. It is well known for offering beautiful views.

The bay is located off of the A399 and signposted "Harbour" there is also a harbour car park which can be usedby the public. Watermouth Cove benefits from a lovely little cafe called "Storm in a Tea Cup", which is a converted boat on the shore serving drinks, snacks and home made cakes. Overlooking the Cove is Watermouth Castle which is a modest sized family theme park.

Watermouth Harbour is Dog Friendly

Combe Martin Beach

Combe Martin Beach is located on the South West Coastal path and is a short, albeit hilly, walk from Mill Park. Combe Martin has a second beach accessible around the headland called Wild Pear Beach. Combe Martin Beach is nestled into the village of Combe Martin which benefits from several modest sized car parks and multiple; cafes, pubs, ice cream parlours and beach related shops, with two Kayak hire shops which are popular.

Dogs are not permitted on Combe Martin beach between March and October

Wild Pear Beach

Combe Martin's Wild Pear Beach is accessible either by completing a challenging walk rounding the headland of Combe Martin (Little Hangman) on the South West Coastal Path, or by Kayak. Wild Pear Beach is very secluded and is occasionally visited by naturists. There are no facilities on the beach so be sure to take everything you need and take any rubbish away with you.

Wild Pear Beach is Dog Friendly

Hele Bay Beach

Hele Bay Beach is a small cove located in the village of Hele, which is a very short drive, or a half decent walk, from Mill Park.

The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles with many rock pools. There is a pub located close to the beach and also a car park that is comparatively cheap.

Hele Bay Beach is Dog Friendly

Ilfracombe Beaches

Ilfracombe benefits from a few beaches. Widersmouth Beach, the Harbour and Tunnels Beach. Please note that there is a charge for accessing the Tunnels Beach.

Ilfracombe is a good sized coastal town, with plenty of: bars, cafes, restaurants, fish & chip shops, ice cream parlours and fudge shops.

Widersmouth beach is Dog Friendly

Tunnels Beaches is great for rock pooling, and also has a tidal bathing pool. Dogs are not permitted on Tunnels Beaches. Tunnels Beaches is also a Wedding Venue, as such the "Gentlemans Beach" can be closed on occasion.

Lee Bay Beach

This wonderfully secluded beach located just 2 miles to the west of Ilfracombe is locally known as 'the jewel in the crown of Lee'.  Lee Bay Beach is surrounded on three sides by rolling countryside and cliffs.  Lee Bay is comprised of mainly sand with rock pools.

There is a traditional pub called the Grampus Inn in the village of Lee that serves food.

There are no lifeguards on duty and the area is known for its strong currents.

Lee Bay Beach is Dog Friendly

Woolacombe Beach

Woolacombe Beach is a golden sandy beach, several miles long, located in the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Very popular with surfers and well-served by Woolacombe village, a bustling seaside resort with plenty of restaurants and shops aimed at the visiting tourist. Car parking can be on the pricey side and it can get busy during peak times, advice is to get there early and set yourself up for the day.

Woolacombe Beach is dog zoned, with the first area immediately close to the village being designated as a No Dogs Zone, followed by a Dogs On Leads Zone and finally a Dogs Off Leads Zone furthest from the village.

There is a small beach called Barricane Beach a short walk away from Woolacombe as you head out of Woolacombe towards Morthoe.

Barricane Beach

There is a small beach called Barricane Beach a short walk away from Woolacombe as you head out of Woolacombe towards Morthoe. Barricane Beach is the site of the Barricane Beach Cafe, serving fresh Sri Lankan curries in the evenings as well as beach snacks during the day and well worth a visit.

Often referred to as Combesgate Beach, Barricane gets its name from the range of shells found on its sands.

The beach is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is made up of a little sandy bay that is surrounded by beautiful rocky outcrops. It is around half a mile from Woolacombe Beach and is a great spot for a bit of rock pooling.

Barricane Bay is known as a good stop-off point if you are walking along the coastline towards Mortehoe. It is also popular with surfers, given the right conditions and provides a good spot to escape the Woolacombe crowds.

Putsborough Sands

Putsborough Sands is a large sandy beach that forms the southern section of Woolacombe Sands. Popular with surfers, especially longboarders, Putsborough is the only beach in the area to have some protection from south and south-westerly winds, thanks to a headland known as Baggy Point. Plenty of parking and easy access via a long, sloping path.

Putsborough Sands has areas where you can take your dogs.

Saunton Sands

A personal favourite, Saunton Sands is not a very commercial beach, it has a large single carpark which is reasonably priced, a single cafe, restaurant/bar, shop and beach hire shop. With three and a half miles of golden sand backed by one of the most unique and impressive dune systems in the country. Saunton Sands is bounded to the south by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge. Popular with families and long boarders.

Saunton Sands is Dog Friendly

Croyde Bay Beach

Croyde Bay is a sandy beach backed by sand dunes and situated in a small bay in the village of Croyde, and has been awarded a Blue Flag.

Croyde Bay is very popular with more experienced surfers and is globally rated as a great surfing beach. There is an RNLI Lifeguard service available from May to September, throughout the Easter weekend and also October weekends.

There are rock pools at either end of the beach with several public footpaths around the village and walks to Baggy Point which offer lovely views.

The village of Croyde offer activities such as surfing lessons, fishing and surfboard/canoe hire as well as having a range of food outlets, shops, and a slipway.  Parking can be problematic in Croyde and accessing the village is via rural roads that can get busy during peak season.  Our advice is to get there early and set yourself up for the day.

Dogs are allowed on the beach between October and April only.

Lynmouth Beach

Lynmouth Beach is surrounded by the wooded hills of Exmoor National Park, and can be reached by using some of the best cliff top drives and walks around North Devon.

The shingle beach is a straight section of coastline on the South West Coastal Path and backed by some spectacular wooded hills, it is also accessible by using the Victorian funicular - the worlds steepest and highest water powered railway connecting the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.

The villages of Lynmouth and Lynton have a wide variety of; shops, pubs, restaurants, ice cream parlours, fudge shops and the like.

There is a Car Parking scheme in Lynton and Lymnouth where tickets purchased are valid in carparks in both Lynton and Lynmouth.

Lynmouth Beach is Dog Friendly