Beach in Devon

Bantham Beach in the South Hams district of Devon is widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the southwest of England, a long arc of golden sand at the mouth of the River Avon that combines excellent surf with beautiful scenery and a relatively undeveloped character that sets it apart from the more commercialised beaches of the Cornish coast nearby. The beach faces southwest across the open sea and receives Atlantic swell that produces reliable surf conditions, making it popular with surfers as well as families and swimmers who benefit from the beach's good natural shelter and lifeguard supervision during the summer season. The setting of Bantham is distinguished by the presence of the River Avon estuary at the northern end of the beach, where the river meets the sea in a complex of sandbanks, channels and tidal pools that make it one of the most naturally interesting beach environments in Devon. The ferry crossing to Bigbury-on-Sea on the opposite bank of the estuary is a seasonal service that adds a pleasantly adventurous element to access between the two sides of the river mouth, and the tidal island of Burgh Island is visible just offshore from the Bigbury side, its art deco hotel making it one of the most distinctive landmarks on this stretch of coast. The village of Bantham itself is small and low-key, with a car park, a surf shop and a pub that maintains the unpretentious character appropriate to a working beach community rather than a heavily developed resort. The walk along the South West Coast Path south from Bantham to Bolt Tail and beyond provides some of the finest coastal scenery in the South Hams, with the combination of headland, cove and open sea that characterises this outstanding stretch of the Devon coast. The South Hams is one of Devon's most beautiful and least spoiled areas, combining excellent beaches, the wooded estuary of the Salcombe inlet, the market towns of Kingsbridge and Totnes and the rolling pastoral countryside of the hinterland into one of the most varied and rewarding landscapes in the southwest.

Blackpool Sands in Devon is one of the finest and most beautiful private beaches in Britain, a sheltered shingle and sand bay on the South Devon coast near Dartmouth that is owned and managed by the Newman family and maintained to an exceptionally high standard that makes it one of the most consistently enjoyable beach experiences in the southwest. The bay faces south into the English Channel and is sheltered by the wooded headlands on either side, the combination of protection from the prevailing wind and the clear blue water that results from the lack of river runoff in this section of the coast creating conditions reminiscent of the Mediterranean at its best. The beach is accessed via a steep road from the A379 and a pay and display car park above the beach, from which the bay is revealed in its full extent below. The colour of the water at Blackpool Sands, clear and blue-green in summer sunlight, is regularly described by visitors as the most un-English seawater they have encountered in Britain, and the consistency with which this comparison is made reflects the genuinely exceptional water quality of this protected south-facing bay. The safe bathing conditions, the lack of strong currents and the gradual depth increase make it particularly popular with families. The café and watersports hire facilities at the back of the beach are managed with the same care for quality that distinguishes the beach itself, with locally sourced food and good coffee providing a standard of beach catering considerably above the national norm. The wooded headlands above the beach are accessible on foot and provide excellent coastal walking with views over the bay and along the coast toward Dartmouth and Start Point. The South Devon coast in this area combines excellent beaches at Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands and the Salcombe estuary with the historic port town of Dartmouth, the Dart Valley Railway and the walking routes of the South West Coast Path to create one of the most varied and rewarding sections of the southwest coast.

Croyde Bay on the north Devon coast is one of the finest surfing beaches in England, a kilometre of Atlantic-facing sand between the headlands of Baggy Point and Saunton Down whose consistent left-hand break, the clean Atlantic water and the attractive surf village of Croyde behind the dunes have made it the most celebrated surf destination on the north Devon coast. The combination of the beach quality, the surf culture of the village and the beautiful north Devon landscape creates a destination of considerable appeal for both surfers and non-surfing visitors. The surf at Croyde is among the most consistent on the south coast of England, the northwest-facing aspect and the offshore sandbanks producing waves of good quality suitable for experienced surfers while the beach break provides opportunities for beginners to learn in supervised conditions from the several surf schools operating on the beach. The autumn and winter swells provide the most powerful conditions and attract the most experienced surfers seeking challenging waves. The village of Croyde behind the dunes has developed a surf culture character that provides cafes, surf shops, pubs and accommodation of good quality in a setting that retains genuine village character despite the heavy summer visitor traffic. The coastal walking from Baggy Point to Saunton Sands to the south provides excellent cliff and dune scenery in one of the finest sections of the north Devon coast.

Saunton Sands on the north Devon coast is one of the finest beaches in England, a three-mile south-facing arc of golden sand backed by the Braunton Burrows dune system that provides excellent surfing conditions, extensive bathing in sheltered water and the ecological interest of one of the largest sand dune complexes in Britain. The beach faces Bideford Bay and receives Atlantic swell that has made it one of the most consistent surf beaches in the southwest, and the scale of the beach provides space for the large numbers of visitors it attracts during the summer without feeling overcrowded. The surf at Saunton is among the most reliable on the north Devon coast, the southwest-facing aspect receiving swell from across the Atlantic Ocean and the beach profile producing well-shaped waves suitable for both beginner and experienced surfers. The surf schools operating from the beach provide lessons for those new to the sport and the consistent quality of the waves has made Saunton a favourite destination for experienced surfers throughout the year. Braunton Burrows behind the beach, part of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, is the largest sand dune system in England and a Site of Special Scientific Interest of outstanding botanical importance. Over four hundred plant species have been recorded in the dunes, including exceptional populations of rare orchids and other dune-specialist species that have almost disappeared from the more disturbed dune systems elsewhere in Britain. The area was used as a training ground by American and British forces preparing for the D-Day landings in 1944, and remnants of the wartime occupation can still be found in the dunes. The village of Croyde immediately to the north provides the most popular alternative beach on this section of the coast, and the South West Coast Path connecting the two gives excellent clifftop walking.

Woolacombe Beach is one of the finest Atlantic beaches in England, a three-mile crescent of pale sand on the North Devon coast facing directly west into the open ocean where long Atlantic swells arrive after crossing thousands of kilometres of open water and unroll onto the broad, gently shelving shore in the rolling lines that make Woolacombe one of the most consistently good surf beaches in the southwest. The beach lies within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has been recognised with the Blue Flag environmental award for its water quality and facilities on numerous occasions. The beach's consistent surf conditions attract a surfing community year-round, with the central section of the beach providing reliable waves for learners and intermediates, while the more exposed northern end near Putsborough can produce larger, more powerful waves suited to experienced surfers. The wide sandy shore at low tide provides ample space for families even at the height of summer, when the beach is at its busiest, and the sand dunes backing the northern section provide shelter from the prevailing wind and a more secluded environment for those seeking a quieter experience. The South West Coast Path runs along the clifftops framing the beach on both sides, providing exhilarating walking with dramatic Atlantic views. The headland of Baggy Point to the south of the bay is one of the finest short coastal walks in north Devon, its Devonian sandstone cliffs supporting nesting seabirds and providing views across the bay to the distant promontory of Hartland Point. To the north, the path continues toward Morte Point and the series of bays that characterise this stretch of the Devon coast. The village of Woolacombe above the beach has developed in character as a classic British seaside resort, with surf schools, ice cream parlours, restaurants serving fresh local fish and accommodation ranging from holiday parks to boutique hotels. The nearby villages of Croyde and Saunton Downs also offer excellent surf beaches a short drive away, making this corner of north Devon one of the most rewarding destinations in England for beach and coastal enthusiasts.