Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is a stunning beach with soft sand stretching all the way from the Saunton Sands Hotel to Crow Point. It is perfect for families and beginner surfers because of its shallow stope and there is plenty of space for all. If you want to stay all day you can rent a beach hut to make your stay more comfortable. There is a large car park which can get busy in the summer.
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The beach is dog friendly and it is backed by the warren of sand dunes known as Braunton Burrows. There are toilets, showers, surf shops and a café at the beach. In the nearby town of Braunton there are a wide selection of shops, restaurants and cafés.
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Instow
Instow is our nearest beach and only twenty minutes away. It is great for dog walking as dogs are allowed on the beach all year. You can take the South Coast Path for a longer walk. The water quality is not suitable for swimming as the beach is on the estuary.
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There are three pubs a stunning restaurant and a couple of great coffee shops as well as public toilets and parking. In the summer months there is a small, tide-dependant ferry which runs between Instow and Appledore. Treat yourself of an ice cream from Hockings Ice Cream van.
Westward Ho!
Westward Ho! is the only town in the UK which officially has an exclamation mark as part of its name! It is a huge beach close to the busy town and great for kids. There are plenty of places to eat and drink as well as arcades and amusements such as crazy golf.
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North Devon Surf School is great if you want to try your hand at surfing. You can rent everything you need and the instructors are helpful and knowledgeable. Dogs are restricted to the area to the right of the lifeguard station during summer months.
Woolacombe
Woolacombe was voted the Sunday times Beach of the Year in 2021 and holds the England for Excellence Gold Award for best family resort. It lies between Morte Point and Baggy Point. This three-mile stretch of golden sand is renowned for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities. Lifeguards ensure safe family swimming during the summer and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy the great waves and clean water.
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There are plenty of places to eat in the small town and if you make your way along the beach for a few hundred yards to Barricaine Beach you will find tasty and authentic Indian food at the beach-side hut.
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Photo shows Barricaine Beach.
Croyde Bay
Croyde Bay is popular with more experienced surers and families. There are three excellent beaches and plenty of rock pools to explore. If you want to jump, scramble, sea swim and explore an amazing coastal location try your hand at Coasteering and get an adrenaline buzz.
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Croyde is within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is small but has pubs and a cafe and there is an open-air market every Tuesday for the whole summer.
Putsborough Sands
At the end of the long flank of sand stretching south from Woolacombe is Putsborough Sands. It has clear water, great surf and a gentler away-from-it all feel. There’s a beach shop and café, a small caravan park, award winning toilets and nothing else apart from rock pools and spectacular sunsets.
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We love the walk between Woolacombe and Putsborough with a leasurely stop for lunch in the middle - the dogs love it too.