North Devon has some of the best beaches in the UK, if not the world. (No we're not even a little bit biased). There is a beach for everyone, from having miles of golden sand just to yourself, surfing with some of the best, rock pooling with the kids or buy a pasty and just watch the world go by. Here are some of the highlights:
Woolacombe:Often voted the UKs no.1 beach, Woolacombe is golden sand and a small village with good access and much to do (Not least surfing).
Putsbourogh: The far end of Woolacombe, a few narrow roads to get to with just a carpark and great café, keeps Putsbourogh a little quieter, but with the same golden sand and great waves.
Saunton Sands:Five miles of golden sand more than half a mile wide when the tides out, backed by a great set of sand dunes.Stop at the carpark end by Saunton Hotel to enjoy the amenities and have it busier or walk even just a mile to have a piece of the beach to yourself.
Croyde:A surfers paradise and a lovely small village in a scenic bay; you need to be early to grab the best parking.
Westward Ho!:The place with an exclamation mark in its’ name! Westward Ho! is becoming the modern seaside resort with glass and steel overlooking the beach, plenty of space, parking and surf and even a tide filled swimming pool with rock pools nearby for the kids.
Instow:Great for young children, but not so much for swimming. A quiet beach with a small set of sand dunes and easy parking.The shortest walk from any piece of sand to a Hockings Ice-cream (a must when in North Devon).
Rock Pooling at Bucks Mills:There are many great spots to go rock pooling in North Devon, though we do have to say that the wildlife in the pools is not as prolific as it was “back in our day” – so please make sure that you treat anything you find with respect and care, letting it go back to the pool at the end of your day.