Awesome North Devon beaches you have to visit
North Devon beaches face the endless horizon of the Atlantic and range from shingle coves dotted with rock pools to vast stretches of golden sand. They are awesome and also brilliant places to visit in Devon with kids.
Here’s some of the best beaches in North Devon to visit with your family.
Love Devon? Why not follow me on Instagram, join the Devon with Kids Facebook group and subscribe to my newsletter!
Find more days out in the area in my full guide to things to do in North Devon with kids.
Contents - jump to what you'd like to know
Woolacombe Beach
With miles of sand and good surfing Woolacombe Beach is every beach bum’s dream. It’s been named in the top five beaches to visit in Europe and the UK’s top beach. There’s an RNLI lifeguard station which is manned during the summer season plus cafes, restaurants and public toilets close by.
Dogs are allowed in two zones on the beach and must be kept on a lead.
Planning a visit to Devon? Check out my big guide to family holidays in Devon.
Putsborough Sands
At the other end of the bay to Woolacombe is Putsborough Sands beach. It’s a quieter option but you still need to get there early to bag a parking spot on a sunny summer’s day. It’s important to be aware there’s no life guards.
The beach is mix of golden sand and craggy rocks backed by rolling hills and dunes as it curves round to Woolacombe. It’s ideal for body boarding and surfing. There’s a couple of well regarded surf schools based here as well as a cafe, beach shop and toilets.
Dogs are allowed on the beach to the right of the car park. There’s a smaller section to the left where dogs are banned from 1 April to 31 October.
Tunnels Beach
Tunnels at Ilfracombe is spot where holidaying Victorians used to come to bathe. Walk through hand carved tunnels in the rock to reach this secluded cove where you’ll find tidal pools and rock pools.
There are admission charges for Tunnels at Ilfracombe. Dogs are not allowed on this North Devon beach.
Combe Martin
This small shingle cove opens out on to wide flat sands at low tide. It’s great for sandcastles, water sports and relaxing.
Combe Martin beach holds the Seaside Award and has plenty of facilities to help you make a day of your visit including parking, cafes, toilets and nature trails.
Combe Martin is one of Devon’s beaches where there is a campsite right next to the sand.
Croyde Beach
This award-winning Devon beach is a popular tourist hang out in the summer months and has a RNLI Lifeguard station to oversea the water.
You can find Croyde at the end of a drive down proper North Devon roads. Keep going, the beautiful stretch of sand and great surf is worth it. Dogs are banned during the summer months.
Saunton Sands
If your ideal beach has sand, beach huts and dunes then you’ll love Saunton Sands. It has 3.5 miles of sand that dogs can enjoy all year round.
There is a section from the slipway where they must be kept on leads before they can run free.
Westward Ho!
Westward Ho! is a two mile stretch of sand and shingle beach that is ideal for swimming and water sports. Why not take the plunge and learn to surf there?
There’s parking, toilets, cafes and amusements. Dogs are not allow at certain times of year.
Looking for more seaside inspiration? Take a look at the best South Devon beaches for families and these hidden Devon beaches. Shhhh!
Where to find the best North Devon beaches
Here’s where to find these amazing North Devon beaches:
Do you have a favourite North Devon beach? Let me know.
Check out my guides to days out in Devon with kids
They are FREE!
Family-friendly things to do across the county, from coast to coast, in the cities, on the moors and whatever the weather.
Would you like more Devon goodies delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Devon with Kids newsletter.
Are you on Pinterest? Why not save this post about North Devon’s best beaches for future reference.
