North Devon Beaches

Woolacombe, Croyde, Lee Bay, Heddons Mouth

The North Devon coastline is a stunning combination of craggy cliffs, secluded coves and beautifully sandy beaches. The beaches here are generally considered to be some of the finest beaches in the UK and are popular with holidaymakers all year round.

Some beaches are great for swimming, others are better suited for surfing. All of them are scenic and perfect fro day trips from Whitechapel Cottages. Here are a few of our personal favourites.

Woolacoombe Beach

Woolacombe is a lively village with plenty of atmosphere, a fantastic beach, great pubs, restaurants. Visitors of all ages will find plenty to do away from the beach. There’s a friendly, laid-back atmosphere here which visitors enjoy, bringing them back year after year. The beach lies between Morte Point and Baggy Point. It is a three-mile long stretch of golden sand – with Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for it’s cleanliness, water quality and facilities.

Life guards ensure safe family swimming during the summer and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy the great waves and clean water. The beach has easy disabled access, complete with shop, parking, water sports, toilets, safe swimming, and refreshments.

The rolling surf bringing unbroken Atlantic breakers from across thousands of miles of ocean to pound on this same sandy beach has something to do with it. The surfing lifestyle has brought many thousands of people to this corner of North Devon over the years.

Journey time by car to Woolacombe is approximately 45 minutes.

Barricane Beach and Coombesgate Beach

If you want to get away from the crowds that fill Woolacombe during the height of the main season, then Barricane Beach and Coombesgate Beach (which can be reached from Barricane when the tide is out) are the ideal alternatives. At low tide, these beaches are full of large pools; providing safe places for children to play in. Barricane has a cafe supplying freshly prepared snacks and more, plus, mugs of tea and coffee (and awesome South Indian Thali).

Journey time by car to Woolacombe is approximately 45 minutes.