The 12 best beaches in Devon

Devon has been a popular place to go for a beach holiday for well over a century. There are more than 130 beaches in the county, found along the golden North Devon and earthy South Devon coastlines. 

With such a large number of beaches, ranging from tiny, hidden coves to large bays with plenty of facilities for visitors, it’s very hard to pick the best beaches in Devon to recommend to you – but base your seaside holiday close to any of the 12 listed below, and we’re sure you’ll have a fantastic time. If you’re planning to bring along your four-legged friend, check out our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Devon.

We’ve divided our top 12 into the best beaches in East Devon, South Devon and the best beaches in North Devon, and provided information about facilities, dog-friendliness and lifeguard cover to help you choose the perfect beach for you and your family. Then, you can click on the button below to browse the holiday cottages that we have nearby, and start planning your dream Devon beach break.

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Best beaches in East Devon

Best beaches in South Devon  

Best beaches in North Devon

Best beaches in East Devon

East Devon is home to some of the most picturesque and diverse beaches in the UK, where dramatic red cliffs meet crystal-clear waters and sweeping pebble shores. 

Exmouth Beach

Exmouth is a lively seaside town in East Devon, located where the River Exe meets the sea. It’s home to one of the oldest holiday resorts in the county and boasts a 2-mile stretch of golden sand backed by a traditional promenade. The beach is perfect for family days out, with safe swimming, rock pools at low tide, and plenty of space for sandcastles and beach games. 

Sidmouth Beach

Sidmouth is a picturesque coastal town nestled along the Jurassic Coast in East Devon, framed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs. Its gently sloping shingle beach stretches between two headlands and is ideal for leisurely strolls, swimming, and paddling. The town itself is elegant and timeless, with Regency buildings lining the seafront promenade. 

Beer

Beer is a charming fishing village in East Devon, just over 1 mile west of Seaton. Its name comes from the Old English word “bearu”, meaning “grove” or “woodland” – it has nothing to do with the beverage. The curved pebble beach is surrounded by white-chalk cliffs, which protect it from strong winds and waves. You can relax on a deckchair and watch the fishermen at work, as Beer is famous for its mackerel, and its lovely beach is one of the best beaches in Devon.

Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is a beach in Exmouth, East Devon. It offers golden sands stretching as far as the eye can see, while its shallow and gentle waters make it perfect for families and water sports enthusiasts. Popular activities include paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. It’s an excellent base for exploring the wider region, where there’s no shortage of things to see and do, making it one of the best beaches in Devon.

Best beaches in South Devon

South Devon has plenty of stunning beaches where families can relax, play, build sandcastles, swim, and take part in water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking. Here are 5 of our favourite beaches in South Devon.

Bantham

Bantham Beach is just over 5 miles to the west of Kingsbridge and has great views of Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island. Its clear and shallow waters, and sandy shore, make it a relatively safe beach for children and one of the best beaches in Devon for families. Most of Devon’s best surf spots are on the North Devon coast, but Bantham is South Devon’s best beach for surfing. Read our guide to the best surf beaches in South Devon. There are rock pools to explore at the south end of the beach.

Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands, named after the hamlet of Blackpool and not connected to the famous seaside town in Lancashire, is just under 4 miles south of Dartmouth. Thanks to its crescent bay, clear waters and backdrop of pine trees and beautiful South Hams countryside, it’s one of the most stunning beaches in Devon. However, take some beach shoes, as it’s mostly coarse shingle and not sand. On sunny days, there’s often very little shade.

Slapton Sands

Slapton Sands is around 8 miles to the east of Kingsbridge. It’s a 3-mile-long pebble beach with a nature reserve right next to it. It’s famous for its use as a rehearsal area for the D-Day Landings in 1943/44, when sadly, live ammo and poor visibility led to the deaths of 749 American servicemen. You can try water sports, including windsurfing and canoeing, making it one of the best beaches in Devon for those who love water activities. The part of Slapton Sands beyond Strete Gate is an unofficial naturist beach.

Best beaches in North Devon

North Devon is known for its long, sandy beaches, which are great for surfing and bodyboarding. Here’s our top 5 North Devon beaches.

Woolacombe Beach

If you only visit one beach while you’re in Devon, make it this one! It’s a 3-mile, flat, sandy beach, backed by dunes and rolling hills. It attracts surfers, bodyboarders, kayakers and kite surfers as well as families looking for the traditional bucket-and-spade experience, making it one of the best beaches in Devon. There are fantastic views from the South West Coast Path if you enjoy walking.

Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is located near the village of Braunton. It boasts 3.5 miles of lovely golden sand and is backed by Braunton Burrows, a vast sand dune system that’s home to some rare plants and insects. It’s a better beach for beginner and intermediate surfers than Croyde, to the north. 

Westward Ho! Beach

This is a long, flat, sandy beach near Bideford, that’s backed by a pebble ridge. Northam Burrows Country Park is accessible from one end of the beach, making it a good choice for nature lovers. The beach is ideal for sunbathing, and it’s also one of the best beaches in Devon for windsurfers, novice to intermediate surfers, swimmers, paddleboarders, anglers and families. There are lots of rock pools to explore.

Croyde Beach

Croyde, situated between Woolacombe and Saunton Sands, has arguably the best surf along the North Devon coast and is a popular choice for experienced surfers. There are surf schools offering lessons to novices and coaching for more experienced surfers. The golden sand is firm by the shoreline – perfect for building sandcastles. The dunes at the back of the beach are great for games of hide and seek. There are rock pools at both ends of the beach. It’s also a good spot for fishing. 

Tunnels Beaches

Tunnels Beaches, in Ilfracombe, are a tourist attraction where entry fees apply. The tunnels, which were hand-carved in the 1820s, lead to sheltered sandy beaches and a tidal Victorian bathing pool. There’s rugged scenery to admire, rock pools to explore, and lots of information about the history of the site and how Ilfracombe was transformed from a small fishing village into a popular seaside resort. Prices and opening times can be found on the attraction’s website. Unfortunately, Tunnels Beaches are closed to day visitors for the rest of the 2025 season.

Stay with us near a Devon beach

Maybe you want to learn how to surf, simply sunbathe, or build sandcastles with your children. Whatever you’re looking for in a beach holiday, there’s a Devon beach for you. We have some wonderful self-catering properties close to many Devon beaches, including for couples, families and larger groups – just click on the button below to browse our collection and start planning your Devon beach holiday.