South Down Farmhouse

Convenient for Great Torrington, Bideford and Barnstaple within walking distance of  North Devon Quads,Clay pigeon shooting and Survival paintball

All About

North Devon beaches

Our farmhouse holiday accommodation , either B&B or self catering holiday cottages are  ideally situated for exploring the  beautiful beaches of North Devon, with Instow and Westward Ho! being just about a 15 minute drive away, with  Croyde, Woolcombe, Saunton Sands, Putsbrough 30/45 minutes away

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   Hartland Quay & Hartland Point The coast around Hartland Point is one of Britain's most treacherous. At least 36 ships were wrecked on the 4 miles centered on Hartland Quay alone between 1800 and 1920. This small museum tells it all, and also has displays on the little port itself and its smuggling days, natural history, and the incredibly contorted rock layers hereabouts. Six circular walks start from the museum. The beach at Hartland Quay is rocky with numerous pools and the cliffs are spectacular with contorted rock formations. There are lovely views from Hartland Point although you are unable to climb down to the beach below. 

Nearby is Hartland Abbey

 

 Northam Burrows 1.5 miles of sandy beach protected by a ridge of huge pebbles. Ideal for swimming, surfing and sail boarding. There is a visitors center explaining the ecology of the sea and surrounding area. This is open Easter - September 10am - 5pm, although the park is open all the time. There is a car park behind the pebble ridge and toilets at the visitors center.

 

   Westward Ho! A seaside resort with all the features one expects - amusement arcade, putting green, playground, beach shops, snack bars and seaside pubs. The beach - sand/pebbles - is easily accessible from the car park and is ideal for swimming and surfing. There are also pools in the rocks which have been adapted for swimming. 

 

 Instow The beach is wheelchair accessible. Although it does have a sandy beach it is not really for sunbathing and surfing as it is in the estuary. It is however great to play on, fly kites etc. It is an attractive area and has always been popular with artists. When the tide is out it is very pleasant walking along the beach by the edge of the river Torridge with picturesque Appledore on the opposite side. The children find this fun too as there are lots of pools in the soft sand, many of which contain attractive seashells. There is car parking in the village There is also a car park behind the dunes. Pick up the tarka trail here. Nearby -Bideford

 

 

Saunton Sands 3 miles of flat sand backed by massive sand dunes. Excellent surfing beach  ideal for all water sports. Manned with lifeguards. Wheelchair accessible. Shop, toilet etc. at car park end of beach - However you can get away from the crowds by just walking further along the beach. Try to arrive early as car parking space is limited and can fill up on busy days. 

Croyde This award winning sandy beach is just around the corner from Saunton Sands, but because it is smaller it can get crowded. However it is easily accessible, there is plenty of car parking and it is excellent for swimming, surfing, windsurfing etc. The beach is manned with lifeguards. At one end of the beach there is equipment hire, a shop, refreshments and toilets. From here the beach is wheelchair accessible. Nearby Baggy point walk.

Putsborough (At the southern end of Woolacombe Sands) Another award winning sandy beach manned with lifeguards. Again ideal for surfing, swimming and water sports. There is a beach car park but access for wheelchairs is difficult. Toilets and snack bar.

 

  Woolacombe A modern settlement, once you get past all this you come to one of the finest beaches in the West Country. 3 miles of golden sand with numerous awards. It is very clean and tidy, has good toilet facilities, first aid, life saving equipment and even a lost children service. There is a large car park near the beach which is easily accessible to wheelchairs. Woolacoombe is ideal for all water sports and there are lifeguards on the beach. However attention should be paid to warnings not to bathe at low tide. 

 

Barricane Beach (Just north of Woolacombe Sands) A Small rocky cove with a beach made of broken sea shells not native to Britain. Rock pools amongst the flat rocks. Wheelchair access is possible if a little difficult. Parking is on the Mortehoe road (opposite The Devon Beach Hotel) or at Woolacoombe Beach car park five minutes walk away.

Combesgate, Rockham & Grunta are all small secluded bays which have deep safe rock pools. The only access to these bays however is by footpath. A good starting point is the ancient parish church at Mortehoe - St Mary's. 

 

 Tunnels - Ilfracombe A  holiday resort which was at its best during the Victorian era. There are  Tunnels are through the cliffs to a privately owned bathing beach. The Victorians also built up walls between rocks to make two bathing pools - One for ladies and one for gentlemen. There is a small charge to use the Tunnels.

 

 

Lee This pretty little village is nestled in Fushia Valley - where fushias grow in abundance. The beach is delightful at low tide with lots of rock pools to explore and a stretch of sand giving good bathing. At high tide all this is covered and the beach becomes very uninviting.

Hele Bay (Just east of Ilfracombe) A safe shingle beach which is popular with canoeists. There are a few amusements and a tide filled childrens swimming pool. In the village is a working 16th century watermill open April - October. There is also a pottery at the mill where you can make your own pot. From the village there is a paths up the impressive 447ft Hillsborough hill which provides a good view of Ilfracombe Harbour. Its summit is also one of the few places in the country where you can see the sun rise and set over a sea horizon.

 

 

 Combe Martin At high tide the beach looks uninteresting but as the tide goes out there are large rock pools to explore and stretch of level sand appears outside a ridge of stones known as the breakwater. The sea is free of currents and therefore popular for bathing. Just a little to the west is Sandy Bay which is reached by Sandy Bay Lane. Steps lead down to the beach, but unfortunately there is no sand. However it is a great spot for picnic. In Combe Martin itself there is a large beach car park which provides easy access for wheelchairs. Next to the car park is a  There are also a variety of shops and cafes on what is said to be longest main street in the country. Wonderful carnivals!

 

 Wild Pear Bay A delightful beach often used by naturists. Although steps have been cut into the cliff down to the beach, the descent and climb back are quite arduous. The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles and on the north side is a stream of drinking water. The nearest car park is the beach car park at Combe Martin. Take the footpath to Lesser Point which then goes on to Little Hangman and you will come across the path down to Wild Pear/Hangman beach.

Woody Bay  

  

A lovely sheltered bay where the steep cliffs are covered in woods and a fast flowing stream gushes down the hillside to the beach below. There is a small car park next to the road and the path zig-zags down through the woods to the beach below. The beach, made up of rocks, large pebbles and shingle, is safe for swimming and is a lovely place to just sit, relax and enjoy the scenery. The only disadvantage is having to walk back up.The famous Hunters Inn to woody bay walk really is a must while in North Devon.

Lee Bay A very narrow scenic road brings you from Woody Bay to Lee Bay. Another very attractive bay with rocks to climb and a sandy/shingle beach to play on. However bathers should beware of strong currents. Car parking is in a field near the bay and there are some facilities.

Wringcliff Bay This secluded little bay is surrounded by high cliffs. The path down to it is quite steep and not really suitable for very young children. There is a car park in the Valley of the Rocks and the path is sign posted from the little roundabout near the car park.

 

   Lynmouth Bay This charming village sits on the mouth of the River Lyn and attracts many visitors. It is very pretty and has an excellent museum, a cliff railway linking Lynmouth to Lynton, a brass rubbing centre and lovely woodland walks by the waterfalls in Glen Lyn Gorge. The pebble beach however has little to offer apart from a tide filled bathing pool on the Eastern Beach facing the Manor Grounds. 

 

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