The Beaches
The Chalet in Croyde is blessed with close proximity and easy access to an array of sandy beaches, dramatic coastline, bays and hidden coves.
Croyde Beach
A sandy beach backed by dunes and edged north and south by cliffs and rocks which are great for rock pooling. Devon’s premier surfing beach, there are numerous places offering surfing lessons and board hire. Popular for a day at the beach. Both the beach and the water can get very busy in the summer. The sea is prone to rip tides.
Facilities
Lifeguard. There are RNLI lifeguards at Croyde between 10am and 6pm every day through the summer and most school holidays.
Small beach shop and take away café with ice creams, snacks and drinks etc at both ends of the beach: in Down End car park at the south of the beach (w3w ///lands.second.chatters), and at the slipway at the north of the beach (w3w ///knitted.plots.exhaling)
Toilets. At both ends of the beach (Down End car park and the slipway).
Beach toys library. Small kiosk run by Plastic Free North Devon to recycle beach toys. On the slipway.
Surf lessons and surf board / wetsuit hire. LOTS of options. See our Exploring the Outdoors section.
Best for… Surfing and surf lessons
Distance from The Chalet The beach is only about 1km from the Chalet.
Walk down Milkaway Lane & Cloutman’s Lane towards the centre of the village. At the t-junction turn right onto the main road through Croyde, then turn left onto the track between Billy Budd’s Pub and Salt Rock Surf shop. It’s an easy, level and well-maintained path. At the end of the track keep going straight across the field (sometimes there is camping in the field), through a gate and onto a sandy path. You’ll arrive in the middle of the beach by the stream.
Parking At the south end there is Down End car park (What3words ///view.cheetahs.apes)
At the north end there is: National Trust parking at Baggy Point (north end of the beach). Free for National Trust members. (w3w ///ducks.eyeliner.images), Beach Field car park, and Croyde Bay Pay & Display.
Saunton Beach
Everyone has stopped in one of the laybys on the road between Braunton and Croyde to soak in this view, and everyone has a version of this photo! A huge expanse of sand stretching away for more than 3 miles. It’s backed by dunes and Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO world heritage site). It has a massive tidal sweep that reveals wonderful rockpools as the tide goes out. A favourite with locals and great for families. It can get busy close to the carpark, but it’s easy to find space if you don’t mind walking a little way up the beach. Generally considered the safest of the beaches for swimming, but remember it doesn’t have lifeguards.
Distance from Chalet – Only 1 ½ km away as the crow flies! By road it’s about 3km away. If you’re feeling very energetic you can walk to Saunton Beach from The Chalet using one of the gorgeous footpaths right next to The Chalet. It is a stunning walk up and over the hill with gorgeous views, but it is a long way up and a long way down (in both directions!). Probably better to do the walk as a separate activity rather than incorporate it in a day at the beach (especially if you have kids and lots of stuff).
Parking. Large car park that will very occasionally fill up on the busiest, sunniest days of summer. (Access to car park is from the B3231 at W3W ///snowstorm.tipping.scratches)
"Drop off & go” period: 20 minutes free
Up to 1 hour: £1.75
Up to 2 hours: £3.50
Up to 3 hours: £6.00
Up to 4 hours: £8.50
For every hour or part of thereafter: + £1
Facilities Seaside beach shop, licensed restaurant, takeaway drinks & snacks, beach hut & deckchair hire, surf hire, and surf lessons.
Saunton does not have lifeguards. www.Sauntonbeach.info
Best for… Rock pooling, beach games and space.
Putsborough Beach
A very pretty beach at the quieter, southern end of more famous Woolacombe beach. It has Baggy Point on its edge and is backed by low cliffs and sand dunes. A favourite with locals. Generally, it’s a little more sheltered in bad weather for beach goers and surfers alike.
Distance from Chalet 2 – 2 ½ km away. Most people drive to Putsborough from Croyde. However, if you’re feeling energetic you can walk or cycle from The Chalet by taking Mill Lane down to the Manor Pub, then take Combas Lane to Putsborough village before joining the road to the beach. Please note that Combas Lane is an unpaved, track that can get muddy. Have a look at the map on the wall in the hall for the route. Or ask us for more specific directions. Remember, it’s also 2 ½ km to get back again!
Parking If a car park can be beautiful, then Putsburough car park definitely is! £13.50 per day during high season. (W3W ///grace.twinkled.masters).
Putsborough beach can also be accessed from the Woolacombe end, with parking on Marine Drive which runs above and behind the dunes to mid-beach (entrance at W3W ///candles.diverts.expansion). This is now managed by The National Trust and parking is free for members. It fills up quickly! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/woolacombe
Facilities. Beach shop, café with hot & cold refreshments, surf hire & lessons. Toilets
Be aware that there is no lifeguard at Putsborough.
Putsburough village is extremely small (blink and you’ll miss it) with perhaps ten old houses and a pond. It is half a km inland and has no facilities.
Best for… Families
Woolacombe Beach
Multiple-time winner of Britain’s best beach awards, Woolacombe is a stunning 3 mile stretch of golden sand. It’s backed by dunes (well managed by the National Trust) and edged with rocks at its northern side. It is very popular with families and surfers. It can get extremely busy, but it’s usually still possible to find some space on the huge stretch of sand if you don’t mind walking a little way. At the far end of Woolacombe is Putsborough Beach.
Distance from Chalet. We recommend driving to Woolacombe which is about 7.5km away by road. The most direct route is to drive through Georgeham. The narrow roads can get busy in the summer. If you are uncomfortable driving Devon lanes and want wider roads, it’s straight-forward to go via Braunton, but it is much further.
Woolacombe makes a good destination for an easy bike ride. Bike to Putsburough then follow the bridlepath behind the beach. Beautiful!
Parking www.woolacombetourism.co.uk/parking
Stretching behind the beach and dunes is Marine Drive (access from Challacombe Hill Road. W3W ///candles.diverts.expansion). It is managed by The National Trust and is free for members. It’s very popular and fills up quickly. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/woolacombe
In Woolacombe village there is short stay roadside parking on The Esplanade (EX34 7DJ)
Long stay beach parking in Woolacombe village at Sandy Burrows Car Park and The Esplanade Car Park.
Facilities Woolacombe is a living village, but also a holiday resort with multiple holidays parks and various beachside attractions. While still a village, the centre of Woolacombe is much bigger than Croyde. It has numerous eating options and a variety of shops. Woolacombe beach is the only beach in the area that is right next to the village and its facilities.
Lifeguards... There are RNLI lifeguards at Woolacombe between 10am and 6pm every day through the summer and most school holidays.
Woolacombe & Mortehoe Tourist Office is loaded with information and local knowledge and can be found on The Esplanade. www.woolacombetourism.co.uk
Best for… Facilities and proximity to the village
Barricane / Combesgate / Grunta
Three idyllic little coves between the expanse of Woolacombe beach and the picturesque, historic village of Mortehoe. Barricane and Combesgate link up at low tide with a sandy length stretching between them. Access is via steps or a slipway. Grunta is a pebbly and rocky cove that appears as the tide goes out. Access can be tricky down a steep rocky path from the coast path. All are excellent for exploring rock pools. The National Trust leads rockpool rambles for kids daily through the summer holidays starting at Barricane.
Distance from Chalet The far side of Woolacombe, these coves are about 8km drive away.
Parking You might be lucky and find roadside parking on The Esplanade (EX34 7DJ), otherwise it’s one of the car parks in Woolacombe village and the short – very pretty – walk to the coves.
Facilities Barricane Beach Café serves drinks, snacks and light lunches (takeaway). On summer evenings they serve takeaway Sri Lankan curries. Bring your own beach blanket or chair and eat on the beach. Bliss!
www.woolacombetourism.co.uk/food-drink/dog-friendly-eateries/barricane-beach-cafe
These coves are not patrolled by lifeguards.
Best for… The Sri Lankan curries served from the Barricane Beach Café every evening and eaten on the beach.
Lee Bay
Lee Bay is a hidden gem that is too far off the beaten track to ever be very busy. It’s not a large, sandy beach. The main cove is rocky with shingles and sand at low tide, when you can scramble or walk around to another pretty bay (which is also accessible from the coastpath and some steep steps). Backed by dramatic cliffs and surrounded by rocks and caves, there is lots to explore. It’s possible to rent kayaks and SUPs, so even at high tide, you can access the other little coves, gulleys and caves surrounding the bay. Historically, it’s considered as a smuggling location, and when you see the spectacular landscape, you’ll understand why!
Distance from Chalet Lee Bay is about a 13km drive. Be aware that access to via proper Devon lanes (very narrow!).
Parking There is a small amount of parking at the seafront (W3W ///advantage.angel.chain), or at the village hall in Lee village (W3W ///gulped.crusaders.explorer)
Facilities There is a cluster of old buildings at the seafront where you can sometimes buy ice-creams and in the summer you can rent kayaks or SUPs (booking is advised). The village of Lee (about 1/2km inland) is a picturesque and historic village with a craft shop and café in the old school house, and a fabulous, old pub called The Grampus.
There are toilets in the village and near the car park at the sea front.
There are no lifeguards at Lee Bay.
Best for… Exploring and kayaking.
N.B... 2025/2026 update. There are major building renovations taking place at the seafront at Lee Bay, and parking there is severely reduced. There is still parking available inland in the village.
Crow Point
Crow Point is where the distant end of Saunton Beach meets the Taw estuary. It’s two different beach environments within metres of each other. First you arrive at the estuary beach in the vicinity of ‘The White House’: pebble strewn sand reaching into a muddy low tide, it’s often busy with little boats. Cross the few metres of the low, sandy Crow Point and you reach an apparently endless expanse of sand stretching away to Saunton, although you’ll have to walk a little further before Saunton comes into sight. Usually thick with seabirds at the water’s edge, it’s rarely busy with people, and at times, you don’t have to walk far to have the place almost to yourself. Backed by Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve. It is an excellent place for a walk, but we strongly advise against swimming: it’s a dangerous spot due to the shifting currents, rip tides, and lack of lifeguards. Sadly, the famous boardwalk to the beach is no more, but there is still a beautiful footpath through the dunes to the beach, thick with wild flowers and with the scent of wild thyme in the air.
Distance from Chalet - About 10km drive away.
Parking Parking at Crow Point is free, but access is via a toll road from Velator in Braunton (W3W ///curly.patching.daredevil), which costs £2.
Facilities Bring your own picnic!
Note that there are no lifeguards, toilets or shops.
Best for… Wildlife and getting away from it all.
Braunton countryside centre has excellent information about Crow Point and Braunton Burrows as well as ideas for walks and bike routes. Our thanks to Braunton Countryside Centre for their beautiful photos of Crow Point.
www.brauntoncountrysidecentre.org/explore-braunton/crow-point/
Westward Ho!
Theoretically, Westward Ho! is in Torridge, not North Devon, but hey ho! It’s a little different to the other sandy beaches in the area as it is backed by a large pebble ridge, rather than by sand dunes. It’s on the other side of the Taw & Torridge estuaries, opposite Saunton beach, and on a clear day can be seen from the Saunton Road. Those of us from Croyde are perhaps unfairly disparaging of Westward Ho! beach which has a beautiful and vast expanse of sand. However, it probably is fair to say that it’s not as stunning as the beaches around Croyde and is certainly more built-up and commercial. It is next to Northam Burrows Country Park and is popular with kite surfers. There are lots of interesting rock pools on the southern edge of the beach as well as the impressive Westward Ho! Sea Pool – a tidal, seawater lido set in the rocks.
Distance from The Chalet It’s about 45 minutes drive away in good traffic. The nearest town is Bideford
Parking Parking in the village can be very tricky in high season. The best option is the Northam Burrows Car Park which is £7/day. Just a quick, short hop across the pebble ridge and you're on the beach.
www.torridge.gov.uk/article/19871/Northam-Burrows-Country-Park
Facilities Developed as a Victorian resort, the town of Westward Ho! has seen a lot of development in recent years. It is quite commercial and has plenty of facilities and activities right next to the beach.
Lifeguard. There are RNLI lifeguards at Westward Ho! between 10am and 6pm every day through the summer and most school holidays.
Best For…. Its tidal, salt-water lido and kite-surfing.
...and a few more...
Other sandy beaches in North Devon
Broadsands Beach
Combe Martin (www.visiticombemartin.com)
Wild Pear Beach
Beaches and coves in Torridge
Instow Beach
Greysands
Peppercombe
Buck's Mill
Clovelly
Coves and gravel beaches in North Devon
Rockham Bay
Bennet's Mouth
Freshwater Bay
Ilfracombe beaches - including White Pebble, The Tunnels, Wildersmouth Beach, Harbour Beach & Rapparee Cove
Hele Bay
Watermouth Bay
Heddon's Mouth
Woody Bay
Valley of the Rocks - including Lee Bay and Wringcliff Bay
Lynmouth
Sillery Sands