Bucket and spade in hand, miles of golden sand, rolling waves and rolling dunes. This is what seaside holidays are all about. Each Devon Holiday Park is just a hop, skip and jump from some of the most stunning stretches of the yellow stuff.
What do you do at the beach? Splash in the surf, build a sandcastle or hunt for shells? The West Country is where beaches are at their best, soft sand, salty sea spray and a sweet scent of suntan lotion. And you'll need some, the sunshine's above average here, Devon's anything but run of the mill.
Explore some of Britain's best beaches with our full beach guide:
Happiness is a day...
- Paddling about in the surf
- Relaxing on a deckchair
- Building an amazing sandcastle
- Hunting around in rock pools
- Skimming stones into the sea
- Playing games on the sand
- Tucking into a gourmet picnic
Your holiday haven
Just over the dunes, and moments from your Devon Holiday Park, you'll find the most glorious 3-mile sweep of golden sands of Woolacombe Beach. It's a constant poll topper, it's easy to see why. It's been awarded the Blue Flag for over 20 years and a premier seaside award too.
Our Parks run a dedicated regular bus service solely for our guests, and for a nominal charge you can leave the car at your accommodation, and we will whisk you and your gear to and from the beach.
Your holiday heros
Woolacombe is already one of the safest beaches in Britain, there's no jet skis or speedboats to spoil your fun.
And the guys from the RNLI keep a close eye on the beach all Summer. This year we've teamed up with them to Respect the Water.
North Devon beach guide
North Devon's Golden Coast (yes, it's the same name as one of our Parks, the area is so stunning we named Golden Coast after it) not only has some of the best beaches in the West Country, but some of the best in the UK.
There's a stunning array of possibilities, whether it's safe bathing beaches next to to great rock pooling opportunities, or water sports and beach activity hot spots.
We've number each beach in the map above - scroll along to find out more about each one.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
MCS Recommended
5. 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.
6. 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 including best beach in the UK by TripAdvisor in 2015 & 2016 and holder for a Blue Flag for 20 years.
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.
MCS Recommended - RNLI Lifeguard Service
7. 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.
8. 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.
MCS Recommended
9. 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.
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.
RNLI Lifeguard Service
10. 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.