The Best Devon Beaches to Visit This Summer
With the Summer holidays coming up, finding lots of fun-filled things to do can take the excitement out of getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. After all, we go away to relax, not spent hours finding inexpensive (yet fun) places to visit.
If you’re coming to Devon this Summer, we’d recommend, no, insist you visit some of our brilliant beaches. With amazing weather on the horizon, lather on the suncream, grab your bucket and spade, and get to the beach.
But if you’re not a seasoned local, you may be wondering which are the best beaches in Devon to visit this Summer? With so many beaches to choose from (which, granted, is a nice problem to have) the seemingly simple task of picking a sandy staycation may cause waves...
Don’t panic, look no further than our suggestion of the best Devon beaches to visit this Summer in the blog below.
Woolacombe Beach
Starting the list off with one of the most well-known beaches in Devon is the 3-mile long stretch of Sand that is Woolacombe Beach. That’s right, 3 miles, so, there is plenty of room for everyone.
As the beach is along the North Coast of Devon there are amazing waves for surfing, windsurfing and sailing. Woolacombe Beach is perfect for families as there are lots of facilities to keep everyone of all ages suitably entertained.
At the northern end of the beach, there is the village of Woolacombe, where you will find seaside shops, B&B’s and restaurants. Along the beach, there are three large car parks that include disabled parking and toilets.
Dogs are banned from Woolacombe Beach between May and October in a zoned area, however dogs are welcome all year round in the adjacent areas if kept on a lead.
Anstey’s Cove
Tucked away in the English Riviera, Anstey’s Cove is undoubtedly a Devon beach unlike any other. In contrast to Woolacombe’s vast space, this beach is the perfect shingle sanctuary to get away from crowds.
There is a great Beach Café at Anstey’s Cove, along with facilities to rent a deck chair, toilets and plenty of parking. The cove is great for paddleboarding, swimming and rock pooling. Dogs are always welcome at Anstey’s Cove.
Bigbury on Sea Beach
Located between Bigbury on sea and Burgh Island, this South Devon Beach is truly amazing. The beach is perfect for surfing, paddleboarding, body boarding and sailing. It is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and fantastic nature to view whilst you’re there.
You can hire surfboards and paddleboards from the Surf Shop and get a light lunch from the Beach Café, or a classic pub dinner on Burgh Island. Whilst you’re there, keep an eye on tide times as you may need to hop on the sea tractor to get across the beach.
There are lifeguards operating at the beach between May and September. Dogs are welcome at Bigbury-on Sea beach but are restricted to certain areas of the beach during Summer.
Jacobs Ladder Beach Sidmouth
Leading from Connaught Gardens, the historic Jacobs Ladder steps lead down to a shingle and sandy beach. Enjoy the views of the beach huts and the red cliffs make a stunning backdrop to this Devon beach.
Located near Sidmouth town, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby as well as public toilets. Make a day of your visit and hire deck chairs for a comfy beach experience.
Dogs are banned from the beach from May to the end of September, however, are permitted on the west end of the beach near the ladder.
Exmouth
At 2 miles long, this golden sand beach is a must-visit, especially for families. There are plenty of facilities for water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding and kitesurfing. Sections of the beach are patrolled by Life Guards, so if you’re going into the water, make sure to follow the RNLI guidelines.
This Devon beach is part of the famous Jurassic Coast, so the beach is full of geological finds to be uncovered. Exmouth Promenade is full of classic games, such as crazy golf, with plenty of pubs, cafes and shops to visit too.
Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. Some seasonal restrictions apply in certain areas.
Blackpool Sands
Blackpool Sands is a real treasure in South Devon, tucked away in a sheltered bay, it is perfect for swimming and sailing. In the popular Summer season, the beach is cleaned daily and often hosts seasonal events.
There is a fantastic Cafe on site which has been recently renovated and offers breakfast, lunch and snacks. There are also disabled facilities at the beach. Dogs are not permitted on the beach between April and September.
Tunnels Beaches
Established in 1823, when it comes to Devon Beaches, this beach has a lot to offer. From hand-carved tunnels to tidal pools and sheltered beaches, it’s no wonder Tunnels Beaches has been featured in the top 3 best beaches for rock pooling by BBC Wildlife Magazine. So, it probably goes without saying that this beach is great for those who love wildlife.
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the beach at any point of the year, and, like all beaches, it’s important to keep an eye on the tide times during your visit.
Westward Ho!
This sandy golden Devon beach is backed by Northam Burrows, a great place to walk if you’re not a ‘sit on the beach’ sort of person. Westward Ho! is ideal if you are intrigued by geology, its history involves limestone being shipped from South Wales to Bideford, railway lines and Saxon heritage.
Great for swimming, Westward Ho! is also known for its surfing spots. There are lots of facilities at the beach too, a café, toilets, and parking.
If you’re looking to spend the day at a Devon beach, Westward Ho! should be up there on your list. Book a tour of the coastline by boat or explore on foot. Westward Ho! is dog friendly all year round, but with some restrictions during Summer.
Home Farm Hotel
To make the most of all of these beautiful Devon beaches, you will need to find somewhere to stay and recharge. At Home Farm Hotel, we have cosy rooms for you to relax in after your busy day.
Our amazing location means there’s never a beach too far away, or for when you’re bored of visiting beaches (if that’s even a thing?), turn inland and explore the two AONB on our doorstep. We also have a restaurant and bar, so you can refuel, put your feet up and plan what Devon beach you’ll explore when the sun rises tomorrow.