Beaches

North Devon’s Golden Coast has some of the best beaches in the UK offering a stunning array of possibilities.

Whether you’re looking for safe bathing beaches adjacent to great rock pooling opportunities, or water sport and beach activity hotspots our beaches have it all.

Rockham Beach

Also known as Mortehoe beach as it sits below and is accessed by the ancient village of Mortehoe.

Rockham is one for the fit as the mile long steep path to get down to the beach is fairly demanding, especially when carrying all your beach gear.

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Woolacombe Beach

The closest beach to our holiday parks, Woolacombe beach occupies most of the 3 mile stretch of award winning sands from Baggy Point at the South end to Morte Point at the North, and is ideal for families and water sports fans – it’s no wonder it’s won many awards and holds Blue Flag status.

The main beach in front of the village is the favorite for families, close to all amenities and car parks, and is patrolled throughout the main holiday season by experienced lifeguards.

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Grunta Beach

To the far Northern end of Woolacombe Bay and really only accessible by beach at Low tide, and by fairly steep cliff path at any other tide, Grunta offers limited space and access.

Grunta could be seen as part of the point rather than a beach in it’s own right and should only be used by those willing to hike out via the steep cliff path, as it becomes cut off soon after low tide. There are no beach facilities. Beach is not patrolled.

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Combesgate Beach

Sandwiched between Grunta and the Barricane beach, Combesgate is accessed via a steep set of steps and offers lots of sand and rock pooling from low to mid tide.

From mid to high tide the beach narrows and as the sand disappears, people head back up the steps to find some more space. There are no beach facilities. Beach is not patrolled.

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Barricane Beach

Barricane is a narrow inlet that sits between the main beach and Combesgate beaches.

A designated site of special scientific interest, you can often find small shells here that have been washed in on the Gulf Stream from far flung places.

There is a small beachside kiosk selling hot and cold drinks and snacks during the main season.

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Harris, Gin & Shellsborough Coves

Although they are called coves they’re hard to distinguish and really form one small rocky reef with a small area of shingle and sand, great for rock pooling.

You can find them between Main Beach and Barricane Beach.

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Middle Beach or Marine Drive

This is still Woolacombe beach but as we have 3 miles of beautiful, golden sands it’s often referred to as Middle Beach or Marine Drive.

It has a car park and is great if you want a little more space and don’t mind a walk to the facilities in the village.

If you walk south along the sands towards Baggy Point, you’ll come to the final beach in the bay, Putsborough Sands. There are no beach facilities. Beach is not patrolled.

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Putsborough Sands

A short drive south from Woolacombe, through narrow lanes will bring you to Putsborough sands which nestles in the southern most corner of Woolacombe Bay.

A good family beach with great rock pooling, it offers many facilities and beachside parking, however even though this beach is popular with families it is not patrolled and when waves are apparent it can become busy especially at higher tides.

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Croyde Beach

South from Putsborough and Woolacombe you’ll find Croyde Bay, world famous for its high quality beach break waves.

Popular with families but dominated by surfers this beach and village has great facilities in stunning surroundings and is host to the Golden Coast Oceanfest which is growing in stature.

Bathers and surfers should adhere strictly to the rules of the patrolling lifeguards and parents of younger children are advised to constantly monitor their children even within the designated bathing areas.

The waves are fast, hollow and heavy and if you’re not an experienced surfer you should consider one of the mellower beaches in the vicinity to enjoy the surf such as Saunton or Putsborough.

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Saunton Sands

South and around the point at Croyde opens up into the huge expanse of sand that is Saunton Sands. A short drive along this stretch of coastal road gives you a chance to see it in all its glory.

Saunton is a flatter beach and therefore the waves are not so intense, breaking flatter which are a favorite with longboarders. The large open sands are also popular with kite buggies, kite boarders and wind surfers.

There are good facilities around the car park area including the Saunton Sands Hotel café bar, small beach cafe, beach shop and hire facilities.