Category Archives: Devon

Beaches in Devon

Croyde Bay beach review, North Devon

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Croyde is a popular beach, sandwiched between the two longer sandy stretches of beach – Woolacombe Sands to the North and Saunton Sands to the South.

It’s a sandy bay, sheltered by a series of dunes and slopes, and features a rivulet running through the middle of the beach. It has terrific rock pools at either end of the beach, although our rightbeach contacts recommend the northern end of the beach for the best selection. Either way, these are ideal for keeping little ones occupied when not splashing in the water or making sand castles.

Away from the dunes the beach can feel exposed if there’s breeze, so take a wind break and a kite to get the best of both worlds.

Croyde is particularly notable for the waves and water. It’s a reliable surf beach, regularly featuring swell and decent breaks at either end of the bay. Swimmers beware however, as there are significant rip tides even when the swell is relatively low. But this shouldn’t deter you from taking the kids for a paddling session in the shallows.

Beach blurb

See Croyde Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Take your nets and head to the north end of the beach for the best rocks pools. Ideal if the weather’s a bit on the cloudy side.
  • Remember to take your kite. Away from the dunes, the breeze is perfect for this.
  • If you’re there to surf then hang around Down End to catch the point break or make use of the reef break at the northern end of the beach (aka Baggy Point) for an hour or so during high tides.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Rock pools, big waves, shallow paddling in the sea, and flat sand.
Crowded (1=deserted) Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Fairly popular with all ages, from families with young kids right through to hardcore surf dudes..
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Waves are usually pretty good. Swimmers need to watch out for strong rip tides..
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Wide flat sand backed by dunes.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Parking is £5 per day but you can park at the nearby campsite (Ruda) for free.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Toilets are free and have baby-changing facilities.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Devon ice creams available at the beach shop … yummy!
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A well stocked beach shop, plus surf hire.

Review by Mark H

Challaborough Bay, South Devon

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Challaborough Bay beach is an enclosed Blue Flag sandy beach with some decent surf between tides, a stones throw away from Burgh Island of TV’s Poirot fame.

It’s a pretty spot with nice flat sand, a freshwater rivulet, and is ideal for walks in the gorgeous Devon countryside, and shallow paddling in the sea.

Challaborough Bay is home to a reasonably large holiday park, with the caravans leading up to the road bordering the beach. Parking is via the holiday park and is limited (£4.50 for the day). However, despite the proximity of the holiday park the beach is not too crowded.

It’s a pretty reliable place for surf, with a steeply shelving beach creating a fast wave at higher stages of the tide, although the swell dies back during the highest part of the cycle.

Challaborough Bay has been recommended to rightbeach as a quiet, relatively sheltered beach, ideal for families with young children.

Beach blurb

See Challaborough Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Parking is limited so get there early to ensure you avoid unnecessary stress.
  • Chill out with an ice-cold drink at the Regatta Restaurant immediately overlooking the beach, or head over to Friar Tucks to grabs some fish and chips to take back to eat on the beach. Yummy.
  • Time you trip. At high tide there’s not much beach left and the waves die down. At low tide however there’s rock pooling to keep the young ones occupied. Between tides – surf’s up!

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating A sandy beach with rocks exposed at low tide. Reasonably sheltered. Good for walks.
Crowded (1=deserted) Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Quiet and not too crowded.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Better surfing between tides, with NO waves during high tide.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Yep – there’s sand.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating £4.50 for the day in the holiday park car park but spaces are limited.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating  In the car park, so not too far away.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Ice creams and the usual fodder. Restaurant and fish and chips within staggering distance and groceries available via the holiday park shop.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Via the holiday park shop.

Review by Tom v A