Devon is a county blessed with beautiful beaches. Renowned for its picturesque coastlines, Devon is the ideal location for a memorable beachside experience. Devon beaches range from the ancient rocky shores with crystal clear water to the soft golden sand beaches perfect for a family day out and beach games.
You can pick between the wild and remarkable beaches of the North Devon Coastlines and the serene, palm-tree-lined sands down on the South Devon coastline. Many traditional beaches in Devon and hidden coves are waiting to be explored. Here are some of the best beaches in Devon for an enjoyable time by the waters.
Most Popular Beach In Devon
Woolacombe Beach, North Devon
Woolacombe is presently the most popular beach in Devon. The award-winning is generally recognized as one of the best beaches in the UK. Located between Croyde and Ilfracombe, the three miles stretch of sandy beach is a favorite for water sports lovers and families.
There are beach huts for rent, and the services on this beach are outstanding. The beach is suitable for swimming, walking, kayaking, kitesurfing, jet-skiing, and windsurfing. Woolacombe village lies at the North end of the beach, and there are many seaside shops, cafes, restaurants, and B&B’s.
This stunning beach is overlooked by the South West Coast Path and edged with dunes, and has terrific views of Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel.
Apart from this iconic beach, you will also find many other beautiful beaches in Woolacombe.
Best Beaches In Devon For Families
Bantham Beach, South Devon
Bantham is an ideal family beach with its vast stretch of shallow sloping sands, rock pools, and many facilities. Located at the mouth of the River Avon, Bantham is in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beach overlooks Bigbury and Burgh Island.
Bantham is famous as one of the best beaches in Devon for surfing. Bantham Surfing Academy is a great place to learn if you want to try surfing. There is a pub and a café where you can grab a bite and drink.
Westward Ho! Beach, North Devon
Miles of sandy beach, pebble ridge, and amusements arcades make Westward Ho! perfect for a family day by the sea. There are plenty of things to do for families. Watersports enthusiasts also love it at this beach.
Westward Ho! is one of the beaches in Devon that falls within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The long flat stretches of sand and clear blue water make it a stunning spot. Kids can sunbathe, swim, rock pool, and build sand castles. Other activities include go-karts, mini-golf, and bowling.
There is a popular spot for surfing, and it is usually easy to hire equipment and book training sessions. The surrounding amusement arcades, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and tea rooms make this a convenient vacation spot and one of the places to visit in Devon.
Blackpool Sands Beach
The shingle beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in Devon. Popular among families and water sports enthusiasts. There are sandpits for children to play, while water sports enthusiasts can kayak, paddle board, and dive. Wet suits and other pieces of equipment are available for hire.
The crescent-shaped beach is set against an attractive backdrop of pines and the rolling South Hams countryside. Amenities like toilets, showers, and disabled facilities are available. The food is managed privately, and only one food outlet is available on this beach.
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Best Beaches In Devon For Watersports
Babbacombe Beach
Babbacombe is located east of Torquay and arguably the pretties beach in that area. This beach is a little crescent of sand and shingle backing a thickly wooded cliff dotted with 1930s villas. At one end is a small stone breakwater that is suitable for fishing.
Babbacombe is one of the beaches in Devon that is popular among divers and water sports enthusiasts. If you’re a beginner, there are training venues where you can learn. The sheltered aspect, clear water, and comfortable sea bed make it suitable for beginners.
Swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing are just some of the things you can do here.
Saunton Sands, North Devon
This never-ending sandy beach is beautiful in all weather and plays host to impressive waves, which makes it popular among water sports enthusiasts. Saunton Sands is one of Devon’s beaches suitable for surfing, paddle boarding, and swimming.
Saunton Sands is on the north coast of Devon and it offers a great day out for families. Kids can build sandcastles and run around on the stretch of golden sand. There are beach shops and restaurants on the beach. Dogs are permitted throughout the year but with some guidelines in place.
If water sports is not your thing, fret not! There are many other beautiful North Devon beaches for you to choose from.
Ladram Bay Beach, East Devon
The sand and pebble beach is surrounded by impressive red Devonian cliffs and rock formations protruding from the waters. An ideal getaway destination that makes you feel like you’re somewhere special.
This is another beach in Devon that’s popular for watersports and swimming. You can take sunbathe or have a picnic here with your family. Ladram Bay Holiday Park is behind the beach, where you will find restaurants. Dogs are banned from this beach.
Other Popular Beaches In Devon
Exmouth Beach, South Devon
Exmouth is described as the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coach. This is one of the best beaches in Devon, with something to offer everyone. The two miles of sandy beach is ideal for families with classic seaside amusements, including crazy golf, Dinosaur safari trails, and many food choices.
Exmouth beach is also a favorite for water sports enthusiasts. There are plenty of activities including kayaking, kitesurfing, boat trips, stand-up paddle-boarding, swimming, and windsurfing.
Saunton is backed by a wide promenade, making it popular for walkers, wildlife lovers, and cyclists. The sand is perfect for building sandcastles and picnics.
Annual festivals like the Exmouth festival and the Kite Festival in spring and summer and seafood festivals later in the year holds in Exmouth.
This is just one of the many popular beaches in South Devon where you will be fully entertained.
Bigbury-on-Sea Beach, Kingsbridge South Devon
Bigbury is one of the most extensive beaches in South Devon, stretching across miles of soft sands. The beach is a favorite for families thanks to the shallow water and many facilities. The award-winning beach is famous among water enthusiasts.
It offers a good stretch of clean, golden sand and safe waters, perfect for paddling and swimming. Rockpool exploring and sand castle building are some things kids can do here.
Burgh island is 250m offshore, and at low tide, the Island is joined to the beach by a sandy causeway; when the wave is out, a sea tractor transport passengers between the Island and the beach.
Bigbury-on-Sea is an excellent spot to try kitesurfing, body boarding, and sea kayaking because the Discovery Surf School is right on the beach. They offer training in different water sports and equipment.
Croyde Bay Beach, North Devon
Croyde bay is situated in a wide sandy bay between Woolacombe and Saunton Sands beaches. Despite requiring some effort to find and in a rural area, Croyde is still one of the most popular Devon beaches, for a good reason. It is one of the most beautiful along the coast and has the best surf.
The fine golden sand on this beach is suitable for building sandcastles and sunbathing. They become firmer and more compact towards the shoreline, which is great news for surfers. Croyde attracts surfers from far and wide because of the steep, powerful waves it produces when the sandbanks are right. There are few facilities on the beach to appeal to families and surfers.
Accommodations Near Devon Beaches
Newberry Beach Lodge
The excellent stay in Newberry Valley in the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers bed and breakfast accommodations. The affordable hotel offers a view of Combe Martin Bay, and each room has a sea or city view. Newberry Beach Lodge is a few minutes from the edge of Exmoor National Park, and Barnstaple is 30 minutes drive from the hotel.
The rooms come with necessary facilities, and a variety of breakfasts are available, including Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-free.
The Royal Hotel
A historic hotel is in a great location near North Devon’s sight. Exploring the center of Bideford and the quayside from this hotel is easy.
This historic hotel has first-class food, friendly service, and a great location close to North Devon’s sights, including Clovelly village and the picturesque Tarka Trail for walkers and cyclists.
The rooms are clean and comfortable with 24-hour room service. One of the hotel’s prominent features is the oak-paneled Kingsley Room, ornate, sculpted ceiling. Full English/Irish breakfast is offered. The hotel boasts of a bar and restaurant.
Croyde Bay Hotel or Self Catering
Croyde Bay Resort is right behind the Sand Dunes on Croyde beacdh. The luxurious hotel has an indoor pool, restaurant, tennis court, and fitness center. Each room comes with all necessary facilities and garden views are available.
There are many attractions near this hotel, and other facilities like entertainment staff, surf shop and lessons, bowling, and mini golf can also be enjoyed on site or nearby.
Enjoying The Best Devon Beaches
These are some of the best Devon beaches that attract hordes of holidaymakers each year. visitors. If you’re looking to enjoy a vacation or getaway by the beach in the UK, Devon has plenty to offer. Grab your bucket and spade, beach towels, and swimming suits as you discover the beaches in Devon.
From the North coastlines to the South coastlines, there are so many beaches in Devon where you can enjoy the sun, sand, and water.
