The Best Beaches in Devon
The positioning of Devon, between Dorset and Somerset and Cornwall, gives it two very distinct coastlines, North Devon and South Devon. This block of land north of Cornwall is wider than its neighbour, with the Dartmoor National Park between its two shorelines, meaning the two separate stretches of coast are around two hours apart by car. It’s a county of great beauty, with many draws for visitors – cream teas, parkland, nature reserves, and incredible beaches. Some of Devon’s beaches are long stretches of sand with glass clear waters and some are small hidden coves that no one seems to go to. There’s rocky beaches, shingle, blue flag beaches and fishing village beaches. Whether you’re travelling with a family, want to swim and surf, or love rock pooling and exploring, here’s the best beaches in Devon for you.
Best for families
Saunton Sands
This North Devon beach caters for the whole family, no matter what your family looks like. It’s a three and a half mile stretch of soft sand, with turquoise clear waters. The great thing about this beach is its backed by an interesting sand dune system, perfect for little ones to play amongst, and it has a long, shallow shelf at the shoreline that’s ideal for paddling. This beach is also dog friendly, so families with a pooch don’t need to worry about their four legged friend. But perhaps the most impressive thing about Saunton Sands is it has a Landeez all terrain wheelchair available to visitors, so everyone can enjoy the beach. It can even be taken into shallow water.
Exmouth Beach
A popular beach with tourists, Exmouth has a lot of facilities for families. It’s a soft sand beach, ideal for making sandcastles, that’s backed by a traditional promenade. There are plenty of restaurants and shops behind the beach and there’s also a seaside crazy golf for any kids who need a bit more entertainment. It’s a blue flag beach, so it’s safe to swim in the water, and dogs are also welcome on the sands. Exmouth Beach is in South Devon and is known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, found mostly in neighbouring Dorset, so it’s also a great place for rock pooling.
Best for swimming
Jacob’s Ladder
The interestingly named Jacob’s Ladder Beach is in South Devon, in the town of Sidmouth, and it’s one of the most dramatic locations of any beach in the area. The red cliffs form a stunning backdrop to the beach, and you can also see red sand when the tide retreats. This stretch of coastline is very calm and the waters don’t offer up much surf, meaning surfers and water sports lovers give it a miss. It’s a soft sand beach and if you can get over the rust colour of it, it’s lovely for relaxing on. The water here is gentle and it’s perfect for swimming in, as there are barely any waves.
Broad Sands
One of North Devon’s pretty secluded coves, Broad Sands isn’t accessible by road. Instead you’ll need to walk the south west coast path to get to it. This is one of the reasons it’s so quiet here, most families and surfers will find a beach they can park close to, but the other reason is simply that people don’t know it’s there. It’s a small beach with some interesting inlets and caves to explore. Perfect for swimming due to the clear waters and how quiet it is, Broad Sands makes you feel like you’ve discovered something hidden and secret.
Best for water sports
Bantham Beach
In 1960 the Bantham Surf Lifesaving Club opened, showing jut how long people have been coming to this beach to enjoy water sports. It’s a beautiful stretch of beach that extends to Burgh Island at low tide. It is popular with families, but it’s perfect for surfing too and you will see a lot of surfers making their way to this beach for the high waves. It’s probably the most popular beach on the south coast for surfing, but it’s also a favourite for other water sports too. A south-westerly wind brings ideal conditions for kitesurfing, and when there’s a north-westerly wind it’s just right for windsurfing.
Croyde Bay
On the north coast, Croyde Bay is sometimes overlooked by visitors because it’s found in a semi-rural setting and doesn’t have the facilities of town centre beaches. But it is still popular, due to its soft sand, protected position between two headlands, and its roaming series of sand dunes. This bay attracts a lot of surfers, as it produces strong waves, but it’s also good for kayaking, canoeing, swimming and fishing. Despite its popularity it has a laid back, relaxed feel to it and it’s a lovely spot to get out on the water. Just be careful if you’re not experienced, there is seasonal lifeguard cover, but there is also the risk of strong riptides.
Best for privacy
Soar Mill Cove
If you love a quiet beach that feels undiscovered and all yours, Devon has some small coves and hidden beaches that give you privacy and time away from the crowds. Soar Mill Cove is only accessible via the coastal path and not by car, which makes it much quieter than the bigger beaches. It’s a pretty little cove with clear waters and rocky surrounds. On a warm sunny day you could easily be in the Mediterranean. The beach has lots of rock pools and is clear and shallow near the shore, making it perfect for snorkelling.
Barricane Beach
Just a hop and a skip from popular Woolacombe Beach in North Devon, Barricane Beach is a small secluded cove. It’s quite pebbly, which puts families off, but the water is a stunning turquoise blue and lovely for a gentle swim. Although not many visitors seek out this quiet bay, it is famous for its stunning sunsets and its romantic vibe. There’s a beach café here that serves the most amazing Sri Lankan curries. There’s no better beach for a date, or just for some relaxation.