Putsborough Sands
The Complete Beach Guide

The Beach

Putsborough Sands

Putsborough Sands occupies the southern end of Croyde Bay, tucked between the great headland of Baggy Point to the south and the Croyde dune system to the north. It is the same beach as Croyde in geological terms — the same northwest-facing Atlantic bay, the same golden sand, the same underlying geology of ancient Devonian rock — but it has a completely different character. Where Croyde is lively, surf-focused and crowded in summer, Putsborough is quiet, family-oriented and unhurried.

The surfers congregate at the Croyde end of the bay, where the waves break better off the sandbanks that build up there through the season. Putsborough, sheltered slightly by the Baggy Point headland to the south, receives gentler wave energy and is better for swimming and rock pool exploration than for surfing. The headland acts as a partial windbreak and wave deflector — not enough to entirely calm the beach in a big Atlantic swell, but enough to make a meaningful difference on most days. On a typical summer's day when Croyde is all whitecaps and wetsuited bodies, Putsborough can be quite surprisingly calm by comparison.

The National Trust car park at Putsborough sits at the top of a short single-track lane down to the beach. The approach road itself gives a first sense of the beach's character — narrow Devon hedgerows, no ice cream vans queued up, no surf hire boards stacked by the road — and in peak season this car park provides a much better parking prospect than the busy and frequently gridlocked lanes around Croyde village. The descent from the car park to the sand is short and manageable with children, and the beach reveals itself in a wide, generous sweep as you come over the last dune.

Baggy Point

Baggy Point — The Great North Devon Headland

The great headland of Baggy Point — owned and managed by the National Trust — forms the southern boundary of Croyde Bay and is one of the most dramatic coastal features in North Devon. From the beach at Putsborough, the point rises steeply from the rock platform at its base to the open clifftop, giving extraordinary views north across Croyde Bay to Saunton Sands and the great pale arc of Braunton Burrows beyond, and further still on clear days to the dark hills above Woolacombe and Morte Point.

The headland is made of Devonian sandstone — rock around 370 million years old — and has a dramatic, folded geology visible in the tilted and contorted cliff faces. The layers of rock have been compressed, faulted and deformed over geological time into complex patterns that geologists travel specifically to study. The cliff faces at the tip of the point are particularly striking, with the folded strata creating shapes that look almost deliberate, as though the rock has been crumpled by a giant hand. Baggy Point is a Site of Special Scientific Interest partly for this geology.

Sea Cliff Climbing

Baggy Point is a well-established sea cliff climbing destination and one of the most accessible in North Devon. The cliff faces offer routes of varying difficulty — from straightforward moderate climbs to technically demanding lines — and the setting is exceptional: Atlantic views, seabirds nesting in the ledges, and the sound of waves far below. The most famous route is the long, spectacular arete of Croyde Slab on the south-facing wall of the point. Climbers come from across the South West and beyond, particularly in spring and autumn when the conditions are good and the rock dry. If you see people with ropes and helmets at the base of the headland, this is what they are doing.

The Coast Path Circuit

The coast path from Putsborough to the point and around to Croyde is one of the finest short walks in North Devon. The route south from the beach follows the edge of the headland, climbing steadily with improving views back across the bay, before reaching the tip of the point with its panoramic 270-degree outlook. From the point, a National Trust inland path leads back across the top of the headland to Putsborough, or the coast path continues around the northern side of the headland and drops down into Croyde — roughly 3 miles from Putsborough end to end. It is an outstanding walk in all seasons, though in a westerly gale on a winter's afternoon, standing at the tip of Baggy Point with the full Atlantic running at you, it is something closer to extraordinary.

Rock Pools

Rock Pools at Putsborough

The rock shelf extending from the base of Baggy Point into the southern end of the bay is one of the best rock-pooling environments in North Devon. At low tide, the platform exposes a wide area of pools and channels cut into the ancient Devonian sandstone, supporting a rich variety of intertidal life. The pools vary considerably in size and depth — from shallow splash-zone hollows holding just a few inches of water to deeper channels that remain connected to the sea and hold far more interesting occupants.

A typical low-tide survey of the Putsborough rock platform will turn up beadlet anemones and snakelocks anemones in a range of colours, edible and shore crabs wedged under overhanging rocks, blennies sitting with their heads above the waterline, hermit crabs dragging borrowed shells across the pool floor, and various species of small fish — gobies, small wrasse, the occasional juvenile pollack in the deeper pools. Starfish are present, usually the common spiny starfish. Periwinkles, limpets and barnacles coat every surface above the tide line.

Children find the Putsborough pools significantly richer than the main Croyde beach area, which has less exposed rock platform. The combination of pool depth, variety and relatively easy access makes it a reliable destination for a proper low-tide rock pool session. With patience and a hand net — sold at any outdoor shop — the species count on a single low-tide visit can reach twenty or more.

When to Go and What to Bring

The pools are at their best in the two hours either side of low water. Spring tides — when the tidal range is greatest — expose the most rock and the deepest pools. Check the tide tables before you go: a neap tide low water will expose less platform and the best pools may remain submerged. For timing, the BBC Weather coastal page for Barnstaple gives accurate local tide predictions.

• Footwear: Bring wellies or water shoes without fail — the rocks are seriously slippery with weed and algae. Flip flops or bare feet are a bad idea on this particular platform.
• Equipment: A small hand net and a white plastic tray for viewing catches are ideal. Magnifying glasses reveal detail invisible to the naked eye.
• Rules: Replace all rocks exactly as you found them — overturned boulders destroy the microhabitats underneath. Return all animals to the pool where you found them. Do not collect shellfish.
• Best pools: The largest and most species-rich pools are closest to the base of the headland, where the rocks have more shelter and more depth. Walk as far toward the point as the low tide allows.

Dogs

Dogs at Putsborough

Year-round dog access with no seasonal restrictions is one of Putsborough's most significant practical advantages over Croyde, where the main beach carries seasonal restrictions from May to September. At Putsborough, dogs are welcome on the beach itself, along the NT car park track, and on the Baggy Point coast path at all times of year, with no exclusion zones and no time limits.

This makes Putsborough a popular dog-walking destination for local owners throughout the year, and the beach has a noticeably dog-friendly atmosphere as a result. Morning and evening visits before and after the day visitors arrive provide a superb dog swimming and running environment — the beach is largely empty, the sand is wide and firm, and the Atlantic conditions in settled weather allow confident dogs to swim freely in the shorebreak without the complication of crowded conditions.

The Baggy Point Walk for Dogs

The Baggy Point circular from Putsborough is one of the best dog walks in North Devon in all conditions. The coast path is well-maintained, largely free of livestock (though always check the current grazing situation, as NT fields along the clifftop may occasionally have cattle or sheep), and the views from the headland are exceptional. On a blustery winter's day the walk is bracing and dramatic. In summer the headland is warm and scented with thrift and sea campion. Dogs off the lead on the open clifftop above the point have the run of one of the finest natural environments in Devon.

• Dogs on the beach: Year-round, no restrictions
• Dogs on the coast path: Year-round, on leads where NT signage requests
• Dogs swimming: The shorebreak at Putsborough is suitable for confident dog swimmers in calm to moderate conditions — check wave size before allowing a dog into the water
• Water on the walk: Bring water for dogs on the Baggy Point circuit in warm weather — the headland has no fresh water sources

Getting There

Parking & Getting to Putsborough Sands

By Car

Putsborough is located between Croyde and Georgeham on the North Devon coast. The postcode for the National Trust car park is EX33 1LB. Approach roads are narrow Devon lanes and require care in both directions.

• From Braunton: Follow the B3231 toward Croyde, then take the lane south through Georgeham toward Putsborough. Allow around 15–20 minutes from Braunton centre.
• From Croyde village: The coast lane from Croyde to Putsborough is approximately 2 miles and runs through Georgeham. Allow 10 minutes but note the road is single track in places with passing places.
• From Barnstaple: Follow the A361 to Braunton, then take the B3231 coast road. Allow 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
• From Exeter/A361: Follow the A361 North Devon Link Road to Barnstaple, then continue to Braunton and on to Putsborough. Allow around 1 hour 20 minutes from Exeter.

The Car Park

The National Trust car park at Putsborough is seasonal — it operates and charges from spring through to autumn, with the exact dates varying by year. The approach track from the lane down to the car park is single track: take care on the descent and give way to vehicles coming up. The car park itself is well-positioned at the top of the beach access path, with the toilets immediately adjacent.

• Charges: Seasonal pay-and-display; NT members may park free in designated NT bays — check current arrangements at the NT or on the car park signs
• Capacity: The car park is smaller than Croyde's but generally easier to get into, particularly in the morning
• Peak days: Arrive before 10am on fine summer weekends — the car park fills and the approach lane backs up after that; mid-week visits are considerably more relaxed
• Overflow: There is no formal overflow — if the car park is full, the sensible option is to park in Croyde and walk the 2 miles along the coast path rather than block the approach lane

Public Transport

Public transport to Putsborough is limited. The most practical option without a car is to take the bus to Croyde or Braunton and walk the coast path or lane to Putsborough — roughly 2 miles from Croyde village. Croyde is served by seasonal bus services from Barnstaple. Check Traveline South West for current timetables, as services vary by year and season.

Swimming

Swimming at Putsborough

Putsborough Sands is generally better for swimming than Croyde in most conditions, and the reason is Baggy Point. The headland to the south provides partial shelter from the direct northwest Atlantic swell, taking some of the power out of incoming waves before they reach the southern end of the bay. On days when the Croyde end of the beach has a substantial and potentially hazardous shorebreak, Putsborough can be considerably calmer and more suitable for swimming without a surfboard.

The beach is sandy and the approach to the water is gradual — no sudden drop-offs or hidden channels in normal conditions. The water is clear, as with most of the North Devon Atlantic coast, with excellent visibility in settled conditions. The sea temperature follows the typical North Devon pattern: cold in late spring (12–14°C in May), warming through summer to a peak of 17–19°C in September, then cooling again through autumn and winter.

No Lifeguard Cover

This is the critical practical point about swimming at Putsborough: there are no RNLI lifeguards at this end of the bay. The RNLI service that covers Croyde Bay operates from the Croyde end of the beach, and the Putsborough end is outside their patrol area. Swimming conditions must be assessed entirely independently, and the responsibility for safety in the water rests entirely with the swimmer.

Snorkelling

The rock pools and platform around the base of Baggy Point offer a snorkelling option for confident swimmers at low to mid tide. The water close to the base of the headland is clear and the rock surface supports a variety of marine life — including wrasse, pollack, small bass and the occasional cuttlefish in season. The kelp beds just offshore from the platform are particularly rich habitat. Snorkelling here requires a good wetsuit (the water is cold even in summer), confidence in open water, and careful attention to the tide — the channels between rocks can fill quickly on the rising tide.

Putsborough vs Croyde

Putsborough vs Croyde — Which End of the Bay?

Croyde Bay is a single bay, but the two ends of it are quite different beaches. The choice between Putsborough and Croyde depends entirely on what you are looking for from your beach visit. Neither is better in absolute terms — they serve different purposes and attract different people — but understanding the contrast helps you choose the right end for your particular day.

Choose Croyde If...

• You want to surf or bodyboard — Croyde has consistently better surf, with more reliable wave shape and a longer history of wave development. The surf schools, board hire and experienced local surfers are all at the Croyde end.
• You want RNLI lifeguard cover — Croyde has a full seasonal lifeguard service; Putsborough does not.
• You want a lively village atmosphere — the Croyde village pubs, cafés and surf shops are excellent and contribute to a genuinely enjoyable beach day with teenagers or young adults who want more than just sand.
• You have teenagers who want buzz and activity — Croyde delivers this; Putsborough emphatically does not.

Choose Putsborough If...

• You have dogs — year-round unrestricted access at Putsborough versus seasonal restrictions at Croyde makes this an easy choice for dog owners in the summer months.
• You want rock pools — the Baggy Point rock platform is vastly better for rock-pooling than anything available at the Croyde end of the bay.
• You want to swim rather than surf — Putsborough's gentler conditions suit swimmers better in most conditions.
• You want quiet — Putsborough is consistently quieter than Croyde, even on peak summer days, and the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed.
• You want to walk Baggy Point — the natural starting point for the headland walk is the Putsborough end, and this is one of the best short coastal walks in North Devon.
• You are worried about parking — the Putsborough NT car park is generally easier to get into than the Croyde options, particularly in the morning.

Food & Drink

Food & Drink Near Putsborough

The Beach Kiosk at Putsborough

A seasonal beach kiosk operates at the Putsborough car park during the main summer season, providing the essentials: hot drinks, ice creams, snacks and basic food. It is not a full café and the menu is limited accordingly — this is a top-up option rather than a destination in its own right. It is, however, extremely useful for the post-swim coffee or the ice cream that every child within a three-mile radius will immediately require. Hours and exact opening dates vary by year and weather, so do not rely on it being open out of peak season.

Croyde Village (2 miles)

For a proper meal, Croyde village is 2 miles up the lane and has an excellent and well-established food and drink scene for a small village. The Thatch Inn is the best-known of the village pubs — a thatched North Devon pub with a good beer garden and a menu that goes well beyond standard pub fare. It can be crowded in summer and booking is advisable for evenings. Several surf cafés and independent food outlets line the village lanes and provide excellent post-beach food throughout the day. The Sandleigh Tea Garden in Croyde is a long-established and excellent afternoon tea option.

Georgeham Village (1.5 miles)

The village of Georgeham sits between Putsborough and Croyde and is worth knowing about. The Rock Inn at Georgeham is one of the better North Devon pubs in the area — a proper village local with good food, real ales, and the kind of unpretentious atmosphere that the more tourist-heavy venues in Croyde can occasionally lose in high summer. If you want a meal without fighting the Croyde crowds, Georgeham is the answer.

Braunton (4 miles)

The town of Braunton, 4 miles east, provides a wider range of eating options than either Croyde or Georgeham. There are bakeries, independent cafés, a good fish and chip shop, and several restaurants. Braunton Countryside Centre has an excellent café and is worth combining with a visit to the Braunton Burrows reserve. For supermarket supplies and practical provisioning, Braunton is the obvious base.

Walks

Walks from Putsborough Sands

Baggy Point Circular

The classic walk from Putsborough — south from the beach along the coast path to the tip of Baggy Point, then back via the National Trust inland path across the top of the headland to the car park. Roughly 2.5 miles in total, with around 120 metres of ascent concentrated in the first half-mile as the path climbs onto the headland. The views from the point are the reward: Croyde Bay laid out to the north, the Taw-Torridge estuary mouth in the middle distance, Saunton Sands and the great pale sweep of Braunton Burrows beyond, and Hartland Point visible to the southwest on clear days. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours with time for the views. Dogs welcome throughout.

Putsborough to Croyde via the Coast Path

Continue north from Baggy Point along the coast path and the route descends into Croyde — roughly 4 miles one way from the Putsborough car park. This is one of the best point-to-point coastal walks in North Devon, covering the full arc of the bay with excellent views throughout. The section above the Croyde dunes is particularly good, with views down onto the breaking waves. One way requires either a car at each end or a 2-mile lane return from Croyde to Putsborough. The alternative is to walk to Croyde for lunch and either arrange a lift back or take the inland lane back via Georgeham (quieter than the coast path return, though less dramatic).

Inland to Georgeham Village

The field path from the Putsborough area across the farmland to Georgeham village is a gentle and quiet alternative to the coast path. Roughly 1.5 miles of mostly flat walking through Devon fields and along hedgerow paths, with the village church visible on the approach. The walk passes through the kind of quiet agricultural landscape that makes North Devon so distinctive away from the coast — ancient field systems, deep-cut lanes, the occasional distant view of the sea. Georgeham and the Rock Inn make an obvious destination for lunch or a drink before returning via the lanes.

North Along the Dune Top to Saunton

From the northern end of Croyde Bay, the coast path continues north above the top of the dunes toward Saunton Sands and the Braunton Burrows reserve. This walk is accessible from Putsborough but involves walking through or past Croyde village first — add roughly 2 miles to the start. The dune-top path north from Croyde to Saunton is outstanding: views in both directions along the coast, the Burrows below and inland, and on clear days the hills of Exmoor visible to the northeast. Saunton Sands at low tide — 3 miles of unbroken Atlantic sand — is a striking destination at the end of this walk.

Tides & Safety

Tides & Safety at Putsborough

There are no RNLI lifeguards at Putsborough. This is the fundamental safety fact about this beach and it cannot be stated too clearly. A northwest-facing Atlantic bay with a rock headland at one end is not an inherently dangerous environment in calm conditions, but conditions can change rapidly and the absence of lifeguard cover means that any incident in the water is entirely self-managed. Approach the beach with appropriate care and preparation.

Understanding the Tides

The North Devon coast has one of the highest tidal ranges in England — up to 8 metres between low and high water on spring tides. This has significant practical implications at Putsborough:

• Low tide: Maximum beach exposed — wide sandy beach, full rock platform accessible around Baggy Point base, best rock-pooling conditions. Ideal for walking, exploring and family activities.
• Mid-tide (rising or falling): The beach is at a mid-point width. The shorebreak is often at its most consistent. Good swimming conditions in settled weather.
• High tide: The beach narrows considerably, particularly toward the Baggy Point end where the sand can disappear almost entirely beneath the rocks. The rock platform at the base of the headland is submerged. High-tide swimming is possible on the central section of the beach but the beach itself offers very little space.

The Rock Platform and Tide Danger

The rock platform around the base of Baggy Point becomes accessible at low tide and provides the best rock-pooling in the bay, but it requires caution on the return. On a rising tide, the channels between rock sections fill faster than the pools themselves, and the route back to the beach can become cut off before you realise the tide has turned. Always track the tide before walking onto the rock platform and leave yourself ample time to return. The high tidal range on this coast means the platform can be covered in a relatively short time.

Tide Times

The Barnstaple/Bideford tide gauge gives the most accurate predictions for this stretch of North Devon coast. The BBC Weather coastal forecast and the Tide Times website both provide reliable tide information. Note that the tidal range varies considerably between spring and neap tides — a low-water spring tide will expose vastly more rock platform than a neap low water, and the difference is significant for rock-pooling plans. Check both the predicted low-water time and the tidal coefficient (spring vs neap) before planning a pool visit.

When to Visit

Seasonal Guide to Putsborough Sands

September is the best month to visit Putsborough Sands. The water holds the warmth accumulated through summer — often reaching 18°C or above — the school-holiday crowds have dispersed, and the quality of light on the bay in the late afternoon has a particular golden quality that belongs entirely to the North Devon autumn. The beach is quiet enough that you can have the rock platform to yourself for an entire low-tide session. Autumn swell begins to build for those who want to observe the surf from the safety of the Baggy Point headland.

Winter visits to Putsborough are an entirely different proposition but a genuinely rewarding one. Between November and February the beach is typically deserted, the Baggy Point walk is bracing and occasionally dramatic in a westerly system, and the rock pools on winter spring tides are at their most productive — the low water on a January spring tide exposes rock that has not seen air since the previous winter, with correspondingly rich pool life. Walking to the tip of Baggy Point on a clear winter morning with the sea running hard below is an experience that stays with you.

Spring — particularly April and May — is underrated at Putsborough. The wildflowers on the headland come into their own, the swell is still consistent for watching and the water temperature is rising. Bank holiday weekends aside, it is the least crowded of the shoulder seasons.

Nearby

Nearby Beaches & Attractions

• Croyde Beach (2 miles): The lively northern end of the same bay — world-class surf, RNLI lifeguards, surf schools and a thriving village with pubs and cafés. The obvious companion beach to Putsborough.
• Saunton Sands (3 miles): Three miles of unbroken Atlantic sand backed by Braunton Burrows — a completely different experience from Croyde Bay, vast and open and spectacular. One of the great Devon beach experiences.
• Woolacombe Beach (6 miles): Three miles of Blue Flag sand — Devon's most iconic surf and family beach. Larger, more facilities, and with full lifeguard cover across its length.
• Baggy Point NT Headland: Immediately adjacent to the beach — the coast path, the views, the climbing and the geology make this an essential addition to any Putsborough visit.
• Braunton Burrows UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (4 miles): One of the largest sand dune systems in Britain, backing Saunton Sands — an internationally significant nature reserve with exceptional botanical diversity. Walking through the Burrows in spring and early summer, with the rare orchids in flower and the dune slacks full of life, is one of the great North Devon natural history experiences.
• Georgeham Village (1.5 miles): A quiet North Devon village with the Rock Inn and access to the inland footpath network — a useful lunch stop and a good base for a longer North Devon stay.
• Barnstaple (12 miles): The main market town of North Devon — a proper working town with good independent shops, a Victorian covered market, the Pannier Market on Fridays, and practical facilities for a longer stay in the area. The North Devon Museum and the Tarka Trail cycle path are both here.