From wide sandy bays to quiet hidden coves, North Devon’s coastline offers something for everyone.
Spreacombe Gardens sits just a few miles inland, making it an ideal base for beach lovers who want to be close to the coast, but return to peace and quiet at the end of the day.
Top Beaches Near Spreacombe
Woolacombe
Woolacombe Beach (10–15 minutes by car)
- Voted one of the best beaches in the UK
- Wide, clean and family-friendly
- Ideal for swimming, surfing, and picnics
- Dog-friendly zones available year-round
- Life Guarded
- Good facilities
Putsborough Sands
Putsborough Sands (15 minutes by car)
- The other end of Wooolacombe beach, a little quieter than Woolacombe
- Beautiful views and a sheltered feel
- Excellent for bodyboarding and beachcombing
- Very good toilet, carparking and cafe facilities
- Stunning views of Baggy Point
Barricane Beach
Between Woolacombe and Mortehoe
- A small cove just north of Woolacombe
- Famous for its Sri Lankan beach café (summer only)
- Great for rock pooling and evening strolls
- Good shell collecting spot
Croyde Beach
15 Minutes Drive
- Family friendly - lively but laid-back feel
- Popular with surfers
- Dog free throughout most of the holiday season
- Life Guarded but watch for the rips
- Smaller and busier than Woolacombe, Putsborough or Saunton
Saunton Sands
15 Minutes Drive
- Scenic, expansive so seems quieter
- Great for long walks and more relaxed beach days
- Dog friendly
- Parking is paid by the hour, so cheaper for a short visit
- Ideal for kite flying, surfing, beach games
Lee Bay
20 -25 Minutes Drive
- Tucked-away and peaceful
- Lovely for a quiet walk or reading on the rocks
- Coastal path access nearby
- The village is well worth a wander around
Tips for Beach Days at Spreacombe
Look out for a big tide reach; sometimes the sea is a long way out revealing a massive sandy area, sometimes guests are surprised that the tide has come in so quickly encroaching on their belongings.
Most beaches have parking and toilet facilities, though some are limited
Pack for changeable weather – even wet beach days are beautiful here and the conditions can change quickly. Its often windier on the beach than inland
Expect surfing, body boarding, beach games, picnics and relaxation. The beaches are large enough to accommodate all of these at once!
Our favourite beach
Spoilt for choice is a term that we could use here, and my answer to this question would be that it depends on what my plans for the day are.
If I intend to spend a day on the beach with a picnic, maybe do a bit of body boarding and definitely read my book and catch up on some rest and relaxation, then Putsborough Beach is one of my personal favourites. The facilities are always of excellent standard and the cafe does good food, there is always a sandy spot to call our own and the sea is inviting.
If I am meeting friends for a brisk walk along the beach and back, potentially with our dogs and definitely expecting a coffee reward at the end then we often go to Saunton Sands as the parking payment is hourly or Woolacombe where we can park for free as National Trust members. Both beaches are long and sandy and rarely overcrowded making it easy to cover a fair distance .
Best Beaches for Surfing
Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde and Saunton Sands beaches all have excellent surf and are known for surfing and body boarding. That having been said my personal choice is not to surf at Croyde as it is known for some dangerous rip currents. If you do go there, it is worth making sure that the lifeguards are in attendance.
Woolacombe beach also has a rip current but it is not so unpredictable as Croyde. Again keep to the lifeguarded areas but I would consider this to be perfectly safe.
Saunton Sands does not have lifeguards but it's probably the safest of the mentioned beaches.
It is very rare to go to any of the beaches around here and not see surfers and bodyboarders enjoying the waves.
Most of the beaches have surf schools in the locality that will give surfing lessons and hire of equipment (wetsuit and board).
