The Best Beaches in North Devon: A Complete Guide (2026)

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From three-mile golden sands to hidden coves you'll have to yourself — North Devon's beaches are some of the finest in England. Here's every one worth visiting.

North Devon's coastline runs from the edge of Exmoor in the east to the dramatic cliffs of Hartland in the west, and packed into that stretch are some of the best beaches in the country. This is where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic Ocean, and the result is wild surf beaches, sheltered coves, and everything in between.

We're based in Ilfracombe, roughly in the middle of the North Devon coast, which makes it an ideal base for beach-hopping. Here's our honest guide to every beach worth knowing about — from the famous names to the ones most visitors never find.

The Big Three

1. Woolacombe Beach

Three miles of golden sand, consistently voted one of the best beaches in the UK. Woolacombe is the beach most people picture when they think of North Devon, and it lives up to the hype. The sand is vast and clean, the surf is reliable, and the views across to Lundy Island are spectacular.

Surf schools line the beach, lifeguards patrol in season, and there's enough space that even on a busy August day you can find room. The village behind the beach has cafés, pubs, and surf shops. This is North Devon's flagship beach and for good reason.

Best for: Surfing, families, long walks, and anyone who wants a classic beach day. Facilities: Toilets, cafés, surf hire, lifeguards (seasonal), car parks. Dogs: Restricted May–September on the main beach; year-round at the Putsborough end.

15 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

2. Croyde Beach

If Woolacombe is the family-friendly all-rounder, Croyde is its cooler sibling. A wide sandy bay backed by dunes, Croyde is North Devon's surf capital — the waves here are punchier and more challenging, attracting experienced surfers from across the country.

The village has a brilliant atmosphere: independent cafés, surf shops, the famous Thatch pub, and a sense of laid-back energy that's infectious. Even if you don't surf, Croyde is a beautiful beach with great rock pooling at the edges and a stream running across the sand that kids love.

Best for: Surfing (intermediate+), beach culture, rock pooling. Facilities: Toilets, cafés, surf hire, lifeguards (seasonal), car parks. Dogs: Restricted May–September.

20 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

3. Saunton Sands

Over three miles of unbroken golden sand, backed by the vast Braunton Burrows dune system — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Saunton Sands feels endless. It's the kind of beach where you can walk for an hour and still see sand stretching ahead of you.

The waves are gentler than Croyde, making Saunton popular with longboarders and families. The dunes behind the beach are an adventure in themselves — a landscape of sand, grass, and wildflowers that's home to rare plants and wildlife. Dogs are welcome year-round, making it one of the best winter beach walks in Devon.

Best for: Long walks, longboarding, dog walking, kite flying, space. Facilities: Car park, café, surf hire. Dogs: Welcome year-round.

25 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

The Hidden Gems

4. Barricane Beach

Tucked between Woolacombe and Mortehoe, Barricane is a tiny cove that most visitors walk straight past. The beach is famous for two things: exotic shells that wash up from the Gulf Stream (some say from the Caribbean), and the legendary Barricane Beach Café which serves Sri Lankan curries right on the sand on summer evenings.

It's sheltered, beautiful, and has some of the clearest water on the coast. At low tide you can walk here from Woolacombe in five minutes.

Best for: Snorkelling, shell collecting, curry on the beach. Facilities: Seasonal food shack. That's it. That's the charm. Dogs: Welcome.

15 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

5. Putsborough Sands

The southern end of Woolacombe Bay, sheltered by Baggy Point, and noticeably quieter than its famous neighbour. Putsborough has the same golden sand and beautiful water, but with fewer people and a more relaxed atmosphere.

The rocks around Baggy Point are great for climbing and exploring, the shallows are safe for paddling, and the café perched on the cliff does excellent hot chocolate on a winter afternoon. Dogs are welcome year-round.

Best for: Families wanting to escape the Woolacombe crowds, dog walkers. Facilities: Car park, café, toilets. Dogs: Welcome year-round.

18 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

6. Lee Bay

A sheltered cove reached by walking the coast path from Ilfracombe (about 45 minutes) or driving to the village of Lee. The beach itself is pebbly and rocky, but the setting is gorgeous — steep wooded cliffs, clear calm water, and a sense of seclusion that's rare on this coast.

Lee Bay is a favourite with wild swimmers. The water is sheltered and clean, and the rocks create natural pools perfect for floating in. The village of Lee behind it is one of the prettiest in Devon — thatched cottages, gardens, and The Grampus Inn.

Best for: Wild swimming, coastal walking, solitude. Facilities: None at the beach; pub and parking in Lee village. Dogs: Welcome.

45 minute walk or 10 minute drive from Ilfracombe

Right on the Doorstep (Ilfracombe Beaches)

7. Tunnels Beach

Ilfracombe's most famous beach, accessed through hand-carved Victorian tunnels dating from the 1820s. Emerge from the tunnels into a sheltered cove with a tidal bathing pool, rock pools, and dramatic cliff walls. There's an entry fee, but it's worth it — this is genuinely unlike any other beach in England.

The bathing pool is safe for swimming at most tide states, and the rock pools are brilliant for kids. The café on the cliff above serves decent food with an incredible view.

Best for: Swimming, rock pooling, families, something completely unique. Facilities: Toilets, café, entry fee applies. Dogs: Not permitted.

5 minute walk from FluidHome

8. Hele Bay

A small, sheltered sand-and-shingle cove just east of Ilfracombe. Hele Bay is the local's beach — quieter than the bigger names, with good rock pooling on both sides and a pub overlooking the bay. It's a lovely spot for an afternoon without the fuss of driving anywhere.

The walk along the coast path from Ilfracombe to Hele is beautiful and takes about 25 minutes. Or drive and park in the small car park above the beach.

Best for: A quiet afternoon, rock pooling, pub-and-beach combo. Facilities: Small car park, pub with food. Dogs: Welcome.

25 minute walk or 5 minute drive from Ilfracombe

9. Rapparee Cove (Sandy Cove)

A hidden sandy beach at the base of Hillsborough, accessed via a steep path from the harbour area. Rapparee is Ilfracombe's secret — many visitors don't know it exists. At low tide there's a decent stretch of sand surrounded by rugged cliffs, and the sense of isolation is remarkable given you're five minutes from the town centre.

Best for: A secluded swim, sunbathing away from the crowds. Facilities: None. Bring everything you need. Dogs: Welcome.

8 minute walk from FluidHome

Worth the Drive

10. Combe Martin Beach

A sandy beach at the eastern end of Combe Martin village, with good rock pooling and calm water. It's a reliable family beach — not as dramatic as some on this list, but pleasant and rarely crowded. The village itself has shops, pubs, and the wildlife park nearby for a rainy day.

Best for: Families with young children, calm water. Facilities: Car park, toilets, cafés in village. Dogs: Restricted in summer.

10 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

11. Westward Ho!

A two-mile stretch of sand and pebble beach backed by Northam Burrows Country Park. It's a big, breezy, open beach that's great for kite flying, long walks, and letting kids run wild. The pebble ridge at the back of the beach is a remarkable natural feature.

Combine it with a visit to the pretty village of Appledore across the estuary — great pubs, a lovely deli, and a completely different feel from the surf coast.

Best for: Long walks, kite flying, combining with an Appledore visit. Facilities: Car parks, toilets, cafés, surf hire. Dogs: Restricted in parts during summer.

35 minutes by car from Ilfracombe

12. Broad Sands (The Secret One)

We're almost reluctant to include this one. Broad Sands — sometimes called "the Greek beach" — is a pebbly cove reached via 200 steps down a cliff, with no signs pointing the way. It's regularly listed among the best wild swimming beaches in the UK, and on a sunny day it genuinely looks like the Mediterranean.

Caves, an island to explore at low tide, and crystal-clear water. It's pirate heaven for kids and utterly beautiful for everyone else. For the full experience, hire kayaks from Watermouth Bay and paddle round.

Best for: Wild swimming, adventure, kayaking, pretending you're in Greece. Facilities: Absolutely none. That's the point. Dogs: Welcome.

15 minutes by car from Ilfracombe, then a steep walk down

The Quick Version

Your Base for Beach-Hopping

FluidHome sits in the centre of the North Devon coast, with Tunnels Beach on the doorstep and every beach on this list within 35 minutes. Sea views, a private balcony, and a whole coastline to explore.

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