Woolacombe is a lively small town not far from Lifracombe, with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It is famous for its long sandy beach, a delight for families and suffers. Aside from the Woolacombe beach, which is regarded as the best beach in the UK, there are other beaches in Woolacombe and near the town where you can enjoy great waves and clean water.
There is a surprising number of Woolacombe beaches – from family-friendly to dog-friendly to surfing and secret beaches; we are confident you’ll find the best Woolacombe beach for you.
Here are the 10 best beaches in and around Woolacombe.
Beaches In Woolacombe
Woolacombe Beach
The award-winning beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Woolacombe. Snuggled between Baggy Point and Morte Point, the three miles-long beach is perfect for spending the day with your family or catching the long rolling waves from the Atlantic Ocean.
This sandy paradise has broad sands and crashing waves, making it perfect for surfing and sandcastle building. If you walk down to the end, there is a lovely rocky area. It is an accessible beach, but dogs are restricted in some parts of the beach and months of the year.
If you want to stay next to Woolacombe beach, consider staying at Watersmeet Hotel. This elegant hotel is in one of the finest coastal locations and has a garden and a bistro restaurant.
Mortehoe Beach
Also known as Rockham Bay, it is a lovely secluded beach in a bay backed by rocky cliffs. This is a beach in Woolacombe owned by the National Trust with beautiful rocks and a pretty amount of sands at low tide. The beach is not accessible easily as you will have to go through steep steps, so ensure you wear suitable foot wears.
The cliffs here are blessed with wide flowers. There are also some excellent rock pools as well as marine life. Mortehoe is one of the dog-friendly beaches in Woolacombe, as dogs are permitted all year round.
You can stay at Rockham Bay View, but you won’t find many hotels close to the beach. The Vacation home is in a lovely location with gardens and places to enjoy golfing and cycling nearby.
Combesgate Beach
If you’re searching for one of the more quiet and calm Woolacombe beaches, consider visiting Cambesgate beach, 600 meters north of Woolacombe. The beach has some of the most attractive rock pools for children to explore.
This isn’t an easily accessible beach as you can only get it by climbing down a steep flight of stairs. But once you’re on the beach, the picturesque view and beauty are worth the effort. Dogs are restricted in some months of the year.
You can stay at the Watersmeet Hotel if you want to explore the Woolacombe coastline and beaches. It is a luxury hotel that overlooks Combesgate Beach and is also close to Woolacombe and Mortehoe Beach. It has private steps down to the sandy beach and a restaurant with sea views.
Putsborough Sands
This award-winning beach is a few minutes walk from Woolacombe. The beach is breathtaking with its golden sands and blue waters. Putsborough is one of the best beaches in Woolacombe, especially for people who like secluded coves with a quieter atmosphere. You can swim and sunbathe while inhaling the sea air.
This lovely beach is excellent for surfing, and since the waves are often calm and clean, it is easier to learn to surf here. It’s dog friendly, and there is a café on the beach where you can have a bite.
There aren’t any hotels near this beach, but you can consider staying at Croyde Bay Resort, a luxurious resort with a restaurant, tennis court, and fitness center. The accommodation offers many facilities that will make your stay splendid.
Grunta Beach
Grunta beach is the smallest beach in Woolacombe; it is a small cove just a stone’s throw from Woolacombe and near Morte Point. Most of the beach vanishes at high tides, but at low tide, there are some charming rock pools to enjoy and a little strip of sand.
Grunta beach is such a beautiful beach; however, it is difficult to access. It isn’t much of a family beach, but it is perfect for you if you’re looking to be by yourself. It is a dog-friendly beach, so you can take your dog for a walk here.
Watersmeet Hotel is in one of the finest coastal locations in Devon, and it would be perfect if you want to explore Woolacombe more. It is a luxury 4-star hotel that provides an incredibly comfortable place to stay while you’re away from home.
Croyde Bay Beach
If you are a big lover of surfing, then Croyde is the beach for you. It is a charming cove and one of Woolacombe’s most famous surf spots. This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Woolacombe, though small compared to the neighboring beaches of Saunton and Woolacombe.
It is a small beach sitting at the edge of the lively village of Croyde. You can only access this beach by a steep country road. It is a beach for the free-spirit and people looking to have fun. Dogs are not permitted from October to March, but you can walk them on the dunes.
If you would love to stay next to the beach, consider staying at Croyde Bay Resort, which is just 3 minutes from the beach. It is an elegant hotel with a swimming pool, fitness center, tennis court, and a restaurant. This is a suitable place for you if you’re on vacation.
MORE UK BEACHES: |
Beaches Near Woolacombe
Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is a place of incredible natural beauty because of its golden sand and clear turquoise water. Despite having board shores and epic dunes, it is still one of the most underrated surfing beaches near Woolacombe. It is a perfect spot for beginner surfers because of its calm waves.
There are beautiful colored beach huts along the main entrance of the beach. It is perfect for a day out on the beach with the family. You can swim, sunbathe, take a walk, build sand castles, or even surf. The beach is 3 miles long, meaning you can always get a private spot no matter how busy it is.
If you need to spend more time at Saunton Sands, we promise you won’t get enough of the beach. You can stay at The Saunton Sands Hotel right near the beach. The beach has a sea view and offers a spa, two swimming pools, a spa, and many other attractions to give you a wonderful experience.
Barricane Beach
Barricane is one of the most beautiful Woolacombe beaches. It is the perfect place to catch a sunset. An intimate and secluded beach suitable for people who need a place away from the crowd on the extensive beaches. It is a tiny cove with rock pools and a small sandy area.
Most of the beach disappears at high tide, so consider the timing of your visit. You will find surfers here but not like on neighboring beaches. You can swim but beware of the rocks. There is a café on the beach where you can have a bite, but you will need to bring your alcohol.
Consider staying at Watersmeet Hotel, a luxury hotel by the coastline. The elegant hotel is comfortable and perfect after a long day on the beach.
Westward Ho! Beach
If you’re a water sports enthusiast, this is the Woolacombe beach for you. It is a classic family-friendly beach where you can have fun with your family—the beach boasts long flat stretches of golden sands ideal for sunbathing. The beach is known for its outstanding natural beauty.
Surfing areas are designated, and there are numerous attractions such as amusement arcades, cafes, go-karts, mini-golf, and bowling. Dogs are permitted on the beach all year round, but summer has few restrictions. The waves can be very high, so be careful while swimming; however, lifeguards are stationed here in summer.
Suppose you would like to explore Westward Ho! Consider staying at West Beach – Holiday Apartments. Self-catering accommodation with sea views near the beach and the town center.
Lee Bay Beach
This sandy and rock beach is halfway between Mortehoe and Ilfracombe. This is an ideal Woolacombe beach for people looking for a quiet spot in North Devon. It is one of the most popular beaches near Woolacombe among locals but not with tourists.
The beach is difficult to access, but the incredible view is worth it. This is a beautiful place to gather your thought and be at peace with nature. It is suitable for naturists. If you plan to visit Lee Bay, be aware of the tides, as some parts of the beach can get cut off. Sunbathing and rock pooling are some of the things you can do here.
There aren’t any hotels near this beach, but you can stay in accommodations in the next town. Consider staying at Westwell Hall Guest Accommodations, a bed, and breakfast with luxury rooms located in Ilfracombe.
Enjoying The Beautiful Woolacombe Beaches
There are countless beaches in and around Woolacombe to meet your needs. Woolacombe’s wide variety of beaches ensures an ideal beach for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and enjoying the seaside view.
Regardless of what you’re looking for, whether it is a secluded beach, a walk along the coastal path with striking views, or a dog-friendly beach, you will find many beaches in Woolacombe that suit you.
