Katherine Sorrell
11 December 2025
The popular resort of Westward Ho! lies on the north coast of Devon, 3 miles from the charming town of Bideford. The only place in the British Isles to have an exclamation mark in its name (and one of two globally), the village was named after a best-selling novel by Charles Kingsley, and developed in the late 19th century to bring Victorian tourists to this stunning area.
Westward Ho! is just as popular today as it was back then, offering something for all kinds of holidaymakers. As well as a good choice of shops and places to eat, there’s a wide variety of things to do, including scenic coastal walks, go-karting and golf, plus several family-friendly attractions within easy reach. Best of all, however, is the 2-mile stretch of sand that forms the wonderful Westward Ho! Beach.
An expanse of flat sand, clean waters and gentle waves add up to a beach that is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, family games, sandcastle building, surfing and other water sports, as well as rock pooling and dog walking. Read on to find out more about this superb beach, and when you’re ready to book your next getaway in Westward Ho!, just click the button below.
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FAQs
Where is Westward Ho! Beach?
Westward Ho! Beach is on the North Devon coast, between Saunton Sands and Clovelly, 3 miles from Bideford and 11 miles from Barnstaple. The postcode is EX39 1LL.
Is Westward Ho! a nice beach?
Westward Ho! is an excellent beach with an expanse of sand and gentle waves. Families love the opportunity to play beach games, build sandcastles and explore the rock pools. It’s also a great place for learning to surf or enjoying water sports and fishing.
Is Westward Ho! Beach dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome at Westward Ho! Beach, though from May to September they are restricted to a large section at the northern end of the beach.
What facilities are at Westward Ho! Beach?
At Westward Ho! Beach, you’ll find parking, toilets (with disabled facilities) and deckchair hire, with shops and places to eat close by.
Is it safe to swim at Westward Ho! Beach?
This gently sloping beach has lifeguards in the summer months, making Westward Ho! Beach safe for swimming. Always swim between the red and yellow flags and take care in the water.
How big is Westward Ho! Beach?
Westward Ho! Beach is more than 2 miles long. At low tide, it’s very wide too, but bear in mind that the sand will disappear at high tide.
About Westward Ho! Beach
Awarded a prestigious Blue Flag for its excellent water quality, and with a huge stretch of flat sand to enjoy, the beach at Westward Ho! conjures up dreams of a traditional seaside holiday, whether building giant sandcastles, finding sea creatures in the rock pools or holding hands and jumping up and down in the gentle waves.
For anyone who wants to get more active, there are several surf schools, and you can also get out on the water to bodyboard, paddleboard or kite surf. At one end of the beach, there’s even a tidal seawater pool, a refreshing change for an open-air swim.
The beach is backed by a promenade lined with colourful beach huts, and is just a stone’s throw from the village’s selection of shops and places to eat and drink. The beach also has a unique pebble ridge, which links it at one end to the dune system of Northam Burrows Country Park, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, where horses and sheep graze on the coastal grassland.
Lifeguards at Westward Ho! Beach
In the spring and summer months (May to September), there are lifeguards stationed at Westward Ho! Beach between 10am and 6pm. Look out for the red and yellow flags, which indicate where it is safe to swim and bodyboard.
Dogs on Westward Ho! Beach
Your furry friends are welcome all year on Westward Ho! Beach, but during the summer months, they are restricted to a section at the northern end, to the right of the walkway across the pebbles at Sandymere.
This helps the beach retain its coveted Blue Flag award and allows everyone to share the space happily in the busiest times of the year. There are clear signs, so you’ll know where pups are allowed.
Bear in mind that it’s almost a mile’s walk from the centre of the village to the summertime dog-friendly area. If you’re planning to drive through Northam Burrows to reach the access point to the dog-friendly part of the beach, be aware that this is a gated road with a toll payable from 5 April to 2 November.
Things to do in Westward Ho!
Holidays in Westward Ho! tend to centre around the beach, but on rainy days or if you simply feel like a change of scene, there are all kinds of other things to do in this bustling village.
There’s a children’s playpark and several amusement arcades, while the go-kart track and 18 holes of adventure golf are also an option for keeping the whole family amused. For more serious golfers, the course at the Royal North Devon Golf Club (at Northam Burrows) is the oldest golf course in England, while anglers may want to try their luck fishing for bass from the rocks or shoreline.
There are three hard tennis courts that can be booked online, and the local equestrian centre offers treks through the country park, suitable for beginners, and rides on the beach if you’re already a confident rider over the age of 13.
Walkers visiting Westward Ho! have an impressive choice, from hiking the South West Coast Path or rambling through the Burrows to exploring Kipling Tors and admiring its incredible views. You can spend a few hours strolling around the shops, picking up gifts and beach gear, or head out of town to some of the excellent family attractions which can be found within 10 miles, including The Big Sheep, World of Wonder indoor soft-play centre, and the Milky Way Adventure Park.
Car parking at Westward Ho! Beach
There are several car parks in Westward Ho! The main one is in the village, about 300 metres from the slipway to the beach, and there’s a smaller, short-stay car park just above the slipway. Two further car parks are situated at Wilkey’s Field, next to the cricket club, and Northam Burrows, at the northern end of the beach (reached via a gated road; tolls apply April to November) and there is also a free car park called Seafield Car Park which is just beyond The Pier House by Seafield House.
Facilities at Westward Ho! Beach
Westward Ho! Beach is well-provided with facilities, which include toilets at the village end of the beach and the Northam Burrows Centre at the northern end. In the summer, you can hire deckchairs, and there are lifeguards on patrol. The shops are nearby, offering a chance to buy that all-important bucket and spade or bodyboard, and there’s a variety of cafes, restaurants, pubs and takeaways just a short stroll from the sands.
Accessibility at Westward Ho! Beach
There is disabled access to Westward Ho! Beach via a gently sloping concrete ramp that leads directly to the sand. Sometimes, sea conditions can cause a temporary pool to form at the bottom of the slipway. Both sets of WCs have disabled facilities, and the short-stay car park by the slipway has a disabled parking bay.
Stay with us in Westward Ho!
Ready to turn your dreams of a Westward Ho! Beach holiday into reality? We have self-catering cottages to suit families, couples and large groups, many of them dog friendly too. Click below to book your stay and wake up just moments from the waves.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.