South devon Beaches
Summer family holiday or autumn short break - everyone loves the South devon coast. Our farm holiday cottages are ideally situated for exploring all these beautiful beaches, be it the tree covered cliffs at Woody Bay, rocky pools at Combe Martin, miles of sand at Saunton or the superb surfing at Croyde.
Saunton Sands
3 miles of flat sand backed by massive sand dunes. Excellent surfing beach and ideal for all water sports. Manned with lifeguards. Wheelchair accessible. Shop, toilet etc. at car park end of beach.
Although busy, you can get away from the crowds by just walking further along the beach. Try to arrive early as car parking space is limited and can fill up on busy days
Croyde
This award winning sandy beach is just around the corner from Saunton Sands, but because it is smaller it can get crowded. However it is easily accessible, there is plenty of car parking and it is excellent for swimming, surfing, windsurfing etc. The beach is manned with lifeguards. At one end of the beach there is equipment hire, a shop, refreshments and toilets. From here this South devon beach is wheelchair accessible
Instow
Although it does have a sandy beach it is not really for swimming as it is in the estuary. It is however great to play on, fly kites etc. It is an attractive area and has always been popular with South devon artists. When the tide is out it is very pleasant walking along the beach by the edge of the river Torridge with picturesque Appledore on the opposite side, or just sit down and enjoy and ice cream. The children find this fun too as there are lots of pools in the soft sand, many of which contain attractive seashells. There is car parking in the village There is also a car park behind the dunes.
Wild Pear Bay
A delightful beach often used by naturists. Although steps have been cut into the cliff down to the beach, the descent and climb back are quite arduous. The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles and on the north side is a stream of drinking water. The nearest car park is the beach car park at Combe Martin. Take the footpath to Lesser Point which then goes on to Little Hangman and you will come across the path down to Wild Pear/Hangman beach.
Combe Martin
At high tide the beach looks uninteresting but as the tide goes out there are large rock pools to explore and stretch of level sand appears outside a ridge of stones known as the breakwater. The sea is free of currents and therefore popular for bathing. Just a little to the west is Sandy Bay which is reached by Sandy Bay Lane. Steps lead down to the beach, but unfortunately there is no sand. However it is a great spot for picnic. In Combe Martin itself there is a large beach car park which provides easy access for wheelchairs.
Westward Ho!
A seaside resort with all the features one expects - amusement arcade, putting green,tennis courts,playground, beach shops, snack bars and seaside pubs. The beach - sand/pebbles - is easily accessible from the car park and is ideal for swimming and surfing. There are also pools in the rocks which have been adapted for swimming.
Northam Burrows
1.5 miles of sandy beach protected by its ridge of huge pebbles. Ideal for swimming, surfing and sail boarding. There is a visitors centre explaining the ecology of the sea and surrounding area. This is open Easter - September 10am - 5pm, although the park is open all the time. There is a car park behind the pebble ridge and toilets at the visitors centre. You can walk from Northam Burrows to Westward Ho! for an ice-cream or a portion of chips
Woolacombe
A modern settlement rather swamped by hotels guest houses and caravan parks. However once you get past all this you come to one of the finest beaches in the West Country. 3 miles of golden sand with numerous awards. It is very clean and tidy, has good toilet facilities, first aid, life saving equipment and even a lost children service. There is a large car park near the beach which is easily accessible to wheelchairs. Woolacombe is ideal for all water sports and there are lifeguards on the beach. However attention should be paid to warnings not to bathe at low tide.
Putsborough
(At the southern end of Woolacombe Sands) Another award winning sandy beach manned with lifeguards. Again ideal for surfing, swimming and water sports. There is a beach car park but access for wheelchairs is difficult. Toilets and snack bar.
Rockham
A secluded bay with interesting rock formations, rock pools and the remains of an old ship. Unfortunately the only access to these bays is by footpath. A good starting point Mortehoe.
Lee Bay
A very narrow scenic road brings you from Woody Bay to Lee Bay. Another very attractive bay with rocks to climb and a sandy/shingle beach to play on. However bathers should beware of strong currents. Car parking is in a field near the bay and there are some facilities.
Woody Bay
A lovely sheltered bay where the steep cliffs are covered in woods and a fast flowing stream gushes down the hillside to the beach below. There is a small car park next to the road and the path zigzags down through the woods to the beach below. The beach, made up of rocks, large pebbles and shingle, is safe for swimming and is a lovely place to just sit, relax and enjoy the scenery. The only disadvantage is having to walk back up! .
Tunnels - Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is a Victorian holiday resort. The Tunnels are passages hewn through the cliffs to a privately owned bathing beach. The Victorians also built up walls between rocks to make two bathing pools - One for ladies and one for gentlemen. There is a cafe at the entrance to the tunnels as well as a snack bar by the beaches. There is a small charge to use the Tunnels.
Hartland Quay
The coast around Hartland Point is one of Britain's most treacherous. At least 36 ships were wrecked on the 4 miles centred on Hartland Quay alone between 1800 and 1920. This small museum tells it all, and also has displays on the little port itself and its smuggling days, natural history, and the incredibly contorted rock layers hereabouts. Six circular walks start from the museum. The beach at Hartland Quay is rocky with numerous pools and the cliffs are spectacular with contorted rock formations