North Devon beaches are renowned for their outstanding natural beauty, with golden sands, secluded coves and rugged cliffs. A paradise for surfers, explorers and families with pets, the seemingly endless coastline offers something for everyone.
The choices are endless, with award-winning beaches like Woolacombe and Croyde, traditional beaches with lively promenades like Westward Ho! and more secluded havens like Lee Bay. Our guide to the best beaches in North Devon will help you to plan a memorable seaside escape.
Continue reading to discover the best North Devon beaches…
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Best Beaches in North Devon
1. Westward Ho! Beach, Westward Ho!
We had to start this list of the best North Devon beaches with the Blue Flag award-winning sands of Westward Ho!. The beach rests moments away from the charming seaside town from which it gets its name.
Backed by a defensive pebble ridge, this beach is ideal for rock pooling or bringing your bucket and spade and building a sandcastle on the pristine sand. This beach is perfect for surfers too, with a specially designated area. There are places to hire boards and wetsuits and you can even book a lesson, regardless of whether it is your first time taking to the waves or you’re a more experienced surfer.
There’s also a handful of waterfront amenities, including independent seaside shops, toilets and food concessions, sure to add to your beach-going experience! Look out for an adventure golf course, go-karting track and amusement arcade, with several classic seaside games to play – can you win a memento to remember your time at Westward Ho! beach?
Westward Ho! Beach is the perfect choice for those looking for a traditional, family-friendly beach holiday in North Devon.
Key information about Westward Ho! Beach:
Type: Sandy
Parking: Westward Ho! Main Long Stay, EX39 1HN
Parking Charge: Up to 2 hours – £3.50 | Up to 4 hours – £8.00
Postcode: EX39 1LG
Dog-friendly?: Dogs are permitted on the beach between October – April
2. Croyde Bay Beach, Croyde
Croyde Bay Beach can be found nestled in a small bay, just a short distance from the picture-perfect village of Croyde. This three-mile stretch of golden sand is popular with holidaymakers, with lifeguards operating during the summer months.
Thanks to optimum surfing conditions, Croyde Bay Beach attracts avid watersport enthusiasts! Renowned for its A-frame barrel waves at low tide, Croyde Bay Beach has been recognised as one of the best surfing beaches in the UK . It’s not just surfers who enjoy this beach, other watersport activities like bodyboarding, paddleboarding and kayaking can also be enjoyed at Croyde Bay Beach.
This dog-friendly Devon beach is perfect for pooches in the winter months, when they can run wild chasing balls and waves. There is also a number of cafés just off the beach, offering the perfect base to sit in and watch the tide come in or the surfers and bodyboarders catching a wave.
Whether you’re looking for a spot of adventure or an excuse to unwind, look no further than Croyde Bay.
Key information about Croyde Bay Beach:
Type: Sandy
Parking: Downend Car Park, EX33 1QE
Parking Charge: Up to 3 hours – £6.00
Postcode: EX33 1QE
Dog-friendly?: Dog restrictions apply between May and the end of September
3. Lee Bay Beach, Ilfracombe
Known locally as “the jewel in the crown of Lee”, Lee Bay Beach can be found tucked away amongst a secluded cove, just two miles from the bustling Ilfracombe.
Explorers may prefer to visit at low tide, when the beach’s craggy rocks are exposed, offering perfect conditions for rock pooling or scrambling. The sandy alternative unveiled at high tide makes a peaceful change from the busier beaches nearby.
If you’re into watersports, be sure to pay Active Escape a visit, with activities such as coasteering, paddleboarding, kayak hire and paddleboard yoga. This is one of the more private coves in the area and definitely worth the visit, whether you’re looking for adventure or tranquility.
Key information about Lee Bay Beach:
Type: Sandy when the tide is out; rocky otherwise
Parking: Small parking area close to the beach
Parking Charge: Free
Postcode: EX34 8LR
Dog-friendly?: Dog restrictions apply between the beginning of November – Easter
4. Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe
Another entry from Ilfracombe in our North Devon beaches guide, Tunnels Beach promises a truly unique visitor experience. Accessed via a series of hand-carved tunnels, boasting a fascinating history dating back to the 1820s, this is sure to be a little different to your usual beach-going adventure!
Sheltered by surrounding cliffs, this North Devon beach hides a Victorian bathing pool, visible for three hours after low tide. A secluded area of the beach is cordoned off for exclusive use of the Tunnels Beach Hotel, offering a bespoke venue for couples wishing to wed on the coast! Keep in mind that there is an entrance fee to experience these delights for yourself – adult prices are £3.75, with children under 15 years £3.00 and seniors £3.50.
Famed as Ilfracombe’s most popular tourist attraction, this is a historic North Devon delight you will not want to miss!
Key information about Tunnels Beach:
Type: Sand & Shingle
Parking: No, public car parks available nearby in Ilfracombe
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: EX34 8AX
Dog-friendly?: Dog restrictions apply on the beach all year round, however, they are allowed through the tunnels on a lead
5. Broadsands Beach, Paignton
Set off the beaten track and accessed via the South West Coastal Path and a series of over 200 steep cliff steps, rests the concealed cove of Broadsands Beach.
Found between the Devonshire villages of Watermouth and Combe Martin, sheltered by high wooded cliffs, this secluded North Devon beach makes an ideal choice for an afternoon of open-water swimming. Four-legged companions are also welcome to explore the mysteries of Broadsands Beach, so bring them along with you and be sure to make the stop along the coastal path.
As one of the more difficult beaches in North Devon to reach, it is more private and allows you to take in the natural settings sights and sounds. Access to this beach is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re eager to find this hidden cove, you’ll be rewarded with a series of tunnels, caves and fantastic scenery. A must-visit North Devon beach!
Key information about Broadsands Beach:
Type: Shingle
Parking: Parade Car Park, TQ4, 6HX
Parking Charge: Up to 4 hours – £5.20
Postcode: EX34 0AW
Dog-friendly?: Yes, all year round
6. Saunton Sands Beach, Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is an impressive stretch of sand, sitting in a striking Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a wonderful location for an escape to the North Devon coast.
Famed as the UK filming location behind DC’s Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom and backed by the iconic Braunton Burrows dunes, there’s a wealth of sights to see at Saunton Sands. With glistening waters and pristine sands adorned with vibrant huts, there’s truly no better place to indulge in a day at the beach. It’s little wonder that Saunton Sands is considered to be one of the best beaches in Devon!
Due to its shelter from the winds, longboarding and surfing are popular activities here, and on-site instructors are on hand to help assist those of all ages and abilities! This beach is also dog-friendly all year round, so unsurprisingly features on our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Devon.
Fun fact: Saunton Sands was also used as one of the locations in Robbie Williams’s Angels music video!
Key information about Saunton Sands:
Type: Sandy
Parking: Saunton Beach Car Park, EX33 1LG
Parking Charge: Up to 4 hours – £8.50
Postcode: EX33 1LG
Dog-friendly?: Yes, all year round
7. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe
Multiple winner of TripAdvisor’s “UK’s Best Beach” award, the pristine sands of Woolacombe Beach truly live up to these accolades. Renowned for its cleanliness, excellent water quality and world-class surfing conditions, this sandy North Devon beach provides a haven for watersport enthusiasts and families alike.
Woolacombe Beach is a surfer’s paradise; surfers of all abilities flock here to take on the wild Atlantic waves. There are RNLI Lifeguards on hand too in the summer months.
Pack your bucket and spade and spend a peaceful afternoon building sandcastles or make a splash in the Atlantic! Alternatively, embark on an adventure in search of marine life, hiding amongst the rock pools! This may be a popular beach in the summer but due to its length, you can still find quieter spots if you’re prepared to walk a bit further.
This beach has important history too; during the Second World War it was used for training US soldiers for the Normandy Landings and was overrun with amphibious vehicles, all getting ready for a crucial moment in the war. For any history buffs, there is a stone memorial dedicated to the soldiers towards the north end of the bay.
Explore further and take to the South West Coast Path, which sits atop the rugged cliffs at the rear of Woolacombe Beach, framing expansive views from its elevated position.
Key information about Woolacombe Beach:
Type: Sandy
Parking: The Esplanade Car Park, EX34 7DJ
Parking Charge: Depending on season, can be between £5 – £12 all day
Postcode: EX34 7DJ
Dog-friendly?: Yes, with some restrictions in place during peak season with marked dog-friendly zones
8. Putsborough Beach, Putsborough
Set amongst North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rests the striking sands of Putsborough Beach.
With pristine golden sand and blue waters, it’s clear to see why this North Devon beach is a favourite with surfers, families and furry friends alike. Uncover treasures with a spot of rock-pooling or simply bask in the sun and sand as you paddle the shores.
This beach sees a vast amount of surfers and longboarders due to the protection it provides from south and south-westerly winds, mainly down to the headland of Baggy Point. You can easily walk to this National Trust site via the South West Coastal Path.
The beach also benefits from a handful of amenities, from surf-hire to a well-stocked beach shop and a waterfront café, so be sure to make a day of it!
Key information about Putsborough Beach:
Type: Sandy
Parking: Putsborough Beach Car Park, EX33 1LB
Parking Charge: All day – £13.50 (High Season)
Postcode: EX33 1LB
Dog-friendly?: Yes, with restrictions in place on the far left side between the 1st April – 31st October
Best North Devon Beaches Map
Ready to embark on an adventure to one of these North Devon Beaches? Secure your stay with a cottage in North Devon. Plan your fun-filled holiday itinerary with a browse through our Devon Travel Guide. If you want to uncover the rest of Devon’s coast, why not read our guide to South Devon Beaches?