From the sweeping Atlantic sands of North Devon to the hidden coves of the South Hams and the fossil cliffs of the Jurassic Coast — Devon has some of England's finest beaches.
40 beaches shown
Three miles of golden Atlantic sand backed by rolling dunes — one of England's finest beaches. Reliable surf, lifeguards in season, and multiple dog-friendly sections at each end.
Devon's premier surf beach — a compact horseshoe bay with powerful beach breaks, a legendary village surf scene, and Baggy Point on the doorstep. Iconic for a reason.
Three miles of flat, wide sand backed by the UNESCO-listed Braunton Burrows dunes. Reliable surf, spectacular sunsets, and a dog-friendly southern section year-round.
A tiny shell cove north of Woolacombe — famous for exotic Caribbean shells washed in on the Gulf Stream, exceptional rock pools, and dogs always welcome year-round.
The quieter southern neighbour to Croyde — backed by dunes and accessed via a farm track. Dogs welcome year-round on the northern section, manageable surf for improvers.
A classic resort beach with a spectacular pebble ridge. Northam Burrows Country Park adjacent — unrestricted for dogs year-round, and a fantastic walking spot at any tide.
A charming estuary village with golden sand at low tide. Calmer water than the Atlantic beaches — ideal for families and dogs who prefer a gentler dip. Ferry to Appledore.
A Victorian marvel — private tidal pools accessed through hand-carved tunnels. Families love the safe, enclosed sea bathing pools. Separate dog pool available. Entry fee applies.
A sheltered shingle and rock bay just east of Ilfracombe. Excellent rock pools at low tide, calmer water than the open coast, and dogs welcome year-round. A local favourite.
A small, sheltered beach at the mouth of the beautiful Combe Martin Valley. Rocky and authentic — dogs welcome all year, and the village pub is a short stroll away.
One of Devon's most dramatic spots — a rugged rocky beach beneath savage cliffs at the very tip of North Devon. Dogs year-round, historic hotel above, no crowds. Pure wild.
England's only official marine conservation zone — a remote island a boat trip from Ilfracombe, with dramatic coves, grey seal colonies, puffins, and exceptional diving.
A dramatic pebble beach where the East and West Lyn rivers meet the sea beneath Exmoor's wooded cliffs. Dogs welcome year-round, one of Devon's most atmospheric villages, and the Valley of Rocks walk on the doorstep.
A hidden wooded cove tucked into a lush valley between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. Excellent rock pools, dogs year-round, barely discovered by tourists. Walk in via the coastal path or wooded lane.
Ilfracombe's sheltered town beach — protected by the harbour headland with calmer conditions than the open coast. Good for families, with Damien Hirst's Verity sculpture above and all town facilities close by.
The finest beach in South Devon — powerful surf, beautiful dune backing, and the warm Avon Estuary lagoon for paddling. Often voted one of England's best beaches. Dogs year-round.
A horseshoe bay of shingle and sand between wooded headlands — the water is genuinely Caribbean clear. Award-winning Venus Café on site. No dogs in summer.
A compact surf beach at the mouth of the Avon, facing Burgh Island. Great for beginner surfers and families, with the iconic sea-tractor ride to Burgh Island next door.
One of Devon's most photographed spots — a tidal island reached on foot or by sea tractor. Rock pools, art deco hotel, The Pilchard Inn, and superb views across Start Bay.
North Sands, South Sands, Mill Bay — the Salcombe estuary beaches offer turquoise water, gentle swimming, and some of the warmest sea temperatures in England.
A beautiful, sheltered fishing village with two coves — Inner Hope and Outer Hope. Dogs welcome year-round, calm water for swimming, and a stunning clifftop walk to Bolt Tail.
Famous for the natural rock arch offshore — a beautiful, AONB-protected beach near Salcombe. Good swimming, rock pools, dogs welcome, and the Thurlestone Hotel above for a treat.
Also known as Thurlestone Sands — a wide, sandy beach with lifeguards, a good café, and easy parking. One of the most accessible family beaches on the South Hams coast.
A completely unspoilt, remote cove accessed on foot only — one mile from the road. No facilities, no crowds, National Trust land on all sides. Wild swimming at its finest.
A private estate beach open to the public Wednesday and weekends. Where the River Erme meets the sea — remote, tidal, beautiful. Dogs year-round, virtually no facilities.
Three miles of wild, shingle barrier beach with freshwater Slapton Ley behind — a unique landscape. Sherman tank memorial, dogs year-round, incredible for wildlife and walking.
A tiny, authentic fishing village beach — boats still launch from here, the cricket club backs onto the shingle, and it barely appears on tourist maps. Utterly local and lovely.
The dramatic southern end of Slapton Sands — park almost on the beach, watch the waves crash, then walk north along one of England's most unusual coastal landscapes.
Traditional Devon resort with a long sandy and shingle beach, a Victorian pier, and great facilities. Dogs allowed year-round on the Den section — the estuary mouth is fun to explore.
A completely unspoilt National Trust cove accessed on foot only — half a mile walk from Ringmore village. No facilities, no day-trippers, just pristine sand and clear water. Dogs year-round. Wild camping nearby.
A remote, wave-washed rocky cove on the East Portlemouth peninsula — National Trust land, no facilities, reached by foot. Excellent snorkelling in clear water. The Gara Rock Hotel above offers an excellent restaurant for post-swim reward.
Directly across the Salcombe estuary from the town — reached by ferry, with two sandy beaches (Mill Bay and Sunny Cove) that are quieter and more sheltered than anywhere in Salcombe itself. Turquoise water, dogs year-round.
The sandy beach on the north side of Salcombe town — accessed on foot from the town or by the ferry from East Portlemouth. Sheltered, child-friendly, excellent swimming in the warmest estuary waters in Devon.
A small, sheltered sandy beach south of Salcombe town — accessible by the South Sands Ferry. Crystal-clear water, a good beachside café and bar, and a starting point for kayaks and SUPs exploring the estuary.
Where the River Erme meets the sea — a remote, tidal estuary beach that's only fully accessible at low tide. National Trust land, dogs year-round, no facilities whatsoever. One of Devon's most wild and unpeopled spots.
Bantham to Blackpool Sands, Hope Cove to Slapton — everything you need to explore South Devon's coastline.
The heart of Torbay — a long, golden beach with Paignton Pier, amusements, a donkey ride, and all the trappings of a classic English seaside holiday. Great for families.
The quieter south end of Paignton — split into north and south sections, with great rock pools, a splash zone water park nearby, and a gentler feel than the main beach.
A sheltered, south-facing beach with calm water that warms quickly in summer — perfect for young children. Rock pools at each end, dogs welcome on parts of the beach.
Central Torquay's main beach, backed by the Riviera promenade and palm trees — the most southerly beach in Devon, reliably warm, and ideal for a sunny resort day.
Torquay's hidden gem — a sheltered shingle beach 10 minutes from the town centre, but feeling worlds away. Good snorkelling, good swimming, Art Nouveau beach huts, little café.
Reached by a unique cliff railway from Babbacombe Downs — a scenic descent to a sheltered cove with exceptional snorkelling, a café, and one of Torbay's best kept secrets.
Walk-in only — a beautifully clear, sheltered cove with overhanging limestone cliffs, sea caves, and some of the cleanest water in the bay. Kayaks for hire in season.
A sand spit nature reserve stretching across the Exe Estuary mouth — brilliant for families, birdwatching, swimming, and fairground fun. Train from Exeter runs right beside the beach.
Two miles of sand — one of Devon's longest beaches. Great for kitesurfing, watersports, and family swimming. Easy train access from Exeter on the Avocet Line. Dogs on Maer end.
A tiny, sheltered cove tucked between rock outcrops near Torquay's main seafront — accessed by stone steps from the promenade. One of the English Riviera's hidden gems, rarely crowded, excellent snorkelling and swimming.
A quiet, sheltered pebble and sand cove tucked into the western shore of Torbay between Broadsands and Brixham. Ancient woodland comes down to the shore. Dogs year-round, calm water, no facilities — completely peaceful.
A small, rocky cove on the western edge of Brixham — accessed by steps from Fishcombe Point. Popular with local swimmers, snorkellers and anglers. Dogs year-round. Good rock pools and a wild, unspoilt feel close to a working port.
A beautiful, secluded sandy cove north of Torquay reached by a steep path through the village. Dogs year-round on most of the beach. Excellent rock pools, clear water, and the Thatched Tavern pub at the top of the lane for post-swim refreshment.
A remote, wild beach south of Brixham accessible only on foot via a 15-minute walk through fields — no facilities, no café, just a long shingle and sand beach below dramatic red-sandstone cliffs. Dogs always welcome.
A sheltered pebbly beach below Babbacombe Downs, reached by the famous cliff railway (or a steep path). Quieter than Babbacombe itself, excellent rock pools, a beach café, and spectacular views up the red cliffs. Dogs permitted.
A tiny, remote cove between Brixham and Kingswear — accessible by a rough path through farmland, or by kayak. Almost never crowded. Dogs year-round. Wild, raw and utterly uncommercialised.
A pebble beach of rare quiet and character — framed by red cliffs, no seasonal dog bans, and the mouth of the Otter Estuary at one end. Famous for the Millais painting set here.
Dramatic red Triassic sandstone sea stacks on the Jurassic Coast — a sheltered cove with incredible fossil hunting, excellent rock pools, and an unusual, vivid landscape.
A classic Regency seaside town with a long shingle and sand beach framed by dramatic red cliffs. Jacob's Ladder at the western end is quieter with a historic cliff lift.
A remote, wooded valley meets the sea — one of Devon's most unspoilt beaches. Walk in from the National Trust village with its thatched buildings and old working forge.
A working fishing beach in a sheltered cove — boats still launch from the shingle daily. Fresh fish sold on the beach, excellent rock pools, and a charming village behind.
A long shingle beach at the mouth of the Axe Valley — best known for the Seaton Tramway electric trams, the Axe Estuary wetlands, and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.
Just across the Devon–Dorset border — the world's most famous fossil beach. After storms, ammonites and ichthyosaur bones wash out of the Blue Lias cliffs. Unmissable for fossil fans.
Sidmouth's colourful beach — reached via the famous Jacob's Ladder steps from the Esplanade. Iconic beach huts in vivid colours, red cliffs, calm water ideal for swimming, and the full charm of Georgian Sidmouth above. Dogs on the western end.
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Year-round beaches, seasonal rules, parking tips, and the best nearby pubs for you and your dog.
Surf, estuary swimming, tide times, parking, the best pub nearby, and everything else you need.
185 million years of geology, fossil hunting, Exmouth to Seaton — the complete Jurassic Coast beach guide.
River pools, gorge swims, and the best moorland plunge spots in the South West.