Best beaches south west Devon - Bideford area
Discussion
I am looking for recommendations for decent beaches for the kids around Bideford - looked on Tripadvisor etc - Westward Ho keeps coming up - however most appear to be 'surfer' focussed.
Any suggestions for sandy beaches, quieter is better - looking for my kids to dig, build sandcastles etc etc.
Cheers
Any suggestions for sandy beaches, quieter is better - looking for my kids to dig, build sandcastles etc etc.
Cheers
This time of year, if the weather was any good, the biggies would be rammed. That would be Woolacombe, Saunton, Croyde. They're all around the corner past Barnstaple.
Of those ones I like Saunton best as there's space enough for everyone and some good rock pooling. I don't find Westward Ho very appealing myself.
If you want obscure you could check out Broadsands beach near Combe Martin which can only be reached by foot or boat and is pretty special.
It may be worth looking further down towards Bude which isn't far. Sandymouth beach is huge and stunning. Beyond Bude I love Crackington Haven too and there are plenty more hiding away on the route.
Bear in mind all of these places are extremely tide dependent. You're nearly guaranteed to just get a strip of rocks when the tide's in with most of them.
Of those ones I like Saunton best as there's space enough for everyone and some good rock pooling. I don't find Westward Ho very appealing myself.
If you want obscure you could check out Broadsands beach near Combe Martin which can only be reached by foot or boat and is pretty special.
It may be worth looking further down towards Bude which isn't far. Sandymouth beach is huge and stunning. Beyond Bude I love Crackington Haven too and there are plenty more hiding away on the route.
Bear in mind all of these places are extremely tide dependent. You're nearly guaranteed to just get a strip of rocks when the tide's in with most of them.
Just back from a week in a cottage just South of Bideford. 8 of us (4 adults, 4 kids ranging from 11 to 4)
Westward Ho ! is the closest sandy beach. You will find surf school but also all families & holiday-makers enjoying the massive beach. You can also drive to the other side of the estuary through Barnstaple and try Saunton Sands, a little better than Westward Ho! but it's very similar and not worth the extra time to get there in my opinion. Last Friday in the pouring rain, we were the only holiday makers (joining the locals) in the sea body boarding in the waves at Westward Ho ! :-)
We found most of the other beaches rocky but great for group walk to hidden coves and spectacular cliffs around Hartland Point - Hartland Quay, Mouthmill beach, Welcombe Beach to name our 3 favourites
Can also recommend crabbing off the quay in Appledore at high tide (Seagate hotel is a good eating place in Appledore and family friendly).
Instow is very small but also worth a look for a small sandy beach on the estuary.
Westward Ho ! is the closest sandy beach. You will find surf school but also all families & holiday-makers enjoying the massive beach. You can also drive to the other side of the estuary through Barnstaple and try Saunton Sands, a little better than Westward Ho! but it's very similar and not worth the extra time to get there in my opinion. Last Friday in the pouring rain, we were the only holiday makers (joining the locals) in the sea body boarding in the waves at Westward Ho ! :-)
We found most of the other beaches rocky but great for group walk to hidden coves and spectacular cliffs around Hartland Point - Hartland Quay, Mouthmill beach, Welcombe Beach to name our 3 favourites
Can also recommend crabbing off the quay in Appledore at high tide (Seagate hotel is a good eating place in Appledore and family friendly).
Instow is very small but also worth a look for a small sandy beach on the estuary.
Edited by Steve Campbell on Tuesday 28th July 21:54
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