Woolacombe, Devon
Woolacombe is a popular spot on the North coast of Devon. The feels are typical of a charming Edwardian coastal village that’s grown over the years to accommodate the needs of holiday makers, so there are several shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants, a few holiday parks and even an amusement arcade. The main draw is the award-winning beach – 2 miles long, golden sands, facing the Atlantic ocean, so a huge draw for surfers. It’s family friendly, with excellent water quality and lifeguards in the summer.
There’s plenty to do at Woolacombe apart from the obvious sunbathing, making sandcastles, beach games and surfing. While the hours away birdwatching or seal spotting, spuddle about in the rock pools at low tide, go for a stroll up over the clifftops on the South West Coast Path. Have a browse around the town, sign up with a surf school for lessons, go pony trekking across the sand dunes with Woolacombe Riding Stables, hang about into the evening and watch the sunset over the sea.
If you fancy a bite to eat but don’t want sand in your sandwiches, The Red Barn and The Captain’s Table right opposite the beach are both family friendly, or for something different, Barricane Beach Café, which is lifted by crane over the cliffs onto the beach every year, does an amazing evening curry.
It's worth remembering that Woolacombe beach isn’t just for summer – it’s beautiful year round, which is great news if you don't particularly like the crowds. Wrap up warm for invigorating strolls along the shore in autumn or winter, embrace the elements with a hike over the cliffs to Baggy Point.
All information correct at the time of writing