Beaches
Discover the beautiful beaches North Devon has to offer, all within a short distance of Bideford Bay Chalet.
Westward Ho!
– Dogs allowed on part of the beach May to September
– EX39 1LL
A Blue Flag beach with over 2 miles of soft sand, perfect for long walks and making the biggest sandcastles you possibly can!
Little ones will have great fun exploring rock pools filled with strange and wonderful creatures. Bigger kids can master a surfboard in gentle waters, or try their hand at kitesurfing! Away from the beach the town of Westward Ho! is home to charming tea shops and restaurants serving fresh locally caught fish.
Croyde Bay
– Dogs allowed October to April
– EX33 1FF
Serving up some of the best surf in the country, and sitting between Woolacombe and Saunton Sands beaches, is the popular and unspoilt idyllic Croyde Bay Beach.
Set against the perfect backdrop of golden dunes and rolling green Devonshire hills, Croyde Bay is a laid-back hotspot with safe swimming, fishing, and canoe hire. Stunning shores, spectacular views and powerful waves make for an unforgettable surf or coasteering experience.
Woolacombe
– Dog allowed
– EX34 7DJ
Hailed as one of the best beaches in the UK, Woolacombe is a multi-award winning beach, and with its magnificent coastline and spectacular scenery, it’s not hard to see why!
Woolacombe is British seaside at its best. An immaculately clean three-mile long expanse of golden powder-soft sands and safe, crystal clear water await. Go crabbing in the rockpools, surf or simply soak up the stunning surroundings. Away from the beach, Woolacombe village is full of life, restaurants and bars.
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Saunton Sands
– Dog allowed
– EX33 1LQ
An idyllically situated beach, Saunton Sands measures at over 3 miles of stunning golden sand and plays host to some of the best surf in the country – when the conditions are right!
Found between the villages of Braunton and Croyde, it is often the first beach that visitors to the area come across and provides a visually stunning introduction to the regional coastline. Arriving by the B3231 from Braunton the main entrance is a turning on the left after Saunton Sands Golf Club and before Saunton Sands hotel.
Instow
– Dogs allowed April – October
– EX39 4JN
There is plenty to do for children and lots of space to play. Activities allowed on the beach include wind surfing and kite surfing, and the bonus of dogs being allowed on the beach October – April.
Easily accessible facilities including a wide range of food outlets toilets beach shops a slipway and car park make Instow a great destination for a family day out. The beach front offers an extensive view an expanse of water bright in summer with the sails of catamarans and wind-surfers.
Sandymere
– Dogs allowed April – October
– EX39 1XY
Sandymere Beach sits next to the Braunton Burrows sand dunes and offers a huge expanse of golden sand. This is a favourite spot for surfers but is also a very popular family beach for those staying in Bideford, thanks to its great facilities.
It has toilets, a cafe, shops, deckchair hire and the RNLI lifeguards patrol during the summer months. Parking is near the beach and offers disabled access. Dogs have restricted access to the main beach but there is an area allocated for them to run around.