Before you set off
Today's snapshot
Combe Martin is at its best around low water, when sand and rock ledges open up on both sides of the cove. At high tide the beach shrinks to a narrow strip of shingle below the village.
Plan your visit
Getting there
The Kiln car park sits just above the beach at the seaward end of the village. It's pay and display, with a smaller car park at Newberry Beach next door.
- Parking: Use the Kiln car park above the main beach, or the small Newberry Beach car park a little further east.
- Dog rules: Main Combe Martin beach (Sandy Cove): dogs banned 1 May - 30 September. Adjacent Newberry Beach, a 5-minute walk east, has no restriction and is open year-round.
- Accessibility: A path and slipway lead down from the Kiln car park, making the main beach one of the easier North Devon coves to reach. Newberry Beach involves a steep path and steps.
- Lifeguards: There is no RNLI lifeguard service at Combe Martin, so swim within your depth and keep an eye on the tide.
Get on the water
Hire & lessons
The sheltered water makes Combe Martin one of the better places on this coast to try a kayak or paddleboard. Both operators are a short walk from the sand.
OSKC Watersports
Kayak and paddleboard hire, lessons and guided sea kayak tours along the Exmoor coast.
Surfside Kayak Hire
Kayak, paddleboard and wetsuit hire beside the beach, including guided trips.
After the beach
Eat, drink & stay
There are pubs and places to stay within a few minutes of the sand, at the bottom of the village street.
The Dolphin
A pub and restaurant opposite the beach at Seaside Hill, with views over the cove.
Pack o' Cards Inn
A distinctive 18th-century inn on the High Street with food and rooms.
The Foc'sle Inn
A local pub near the seafront, an easy walk back from the beach.
Local perspective
Local notes
Combe Martin is a sheltered option on a stretch of coast that is mostly big and exposed. The valley and headlands reduce the effect of a south-westerly, so the cove can remain calmer when Woolacombe and Croyde are rough.
Go at low tide with a net and a bucket. The rock ledges on either side of the cove hold deep rockpools, and the two hours either side of low water are worth planning your day around. There are no lifeguards here, so keep children close and remember the water returns quickly.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Combe Martin beach dog friendly?
Main Combe Martin beach (Sandy Cove): dogs banned 1 May - 30 September. Adjacent Newberry Beach, a 5-minute walk east, has no restriction and is open year-round.
What's the best tide for Combe Martin?
Low tide. The sand and the rock ledges either side are at their widest, and the rockpooling is best two hours either side of low water.
Is Combe Martin good for families?
Yes. It's sheltered, close to village facilities and the rockpools keep children busy for hours. There are no lifeguards, so supervise closely.
Is it safe to swim at Combe Martin today?
Check the Environment Agency Swimfo profile and Safer Seas & Rivers Service before swimming for the latest water-quality information.
Can you hire kayaks at Combe Martin?
Yes. OSKC Watersports and Surfside Kayak Hire both operate beside the beach and offer kayak and paddleboard hire.
Is Combe Martin beach pram or buggy friendly?
The main beach is one of the easier ones here, with a path and slipway down from the Kiln car park. Newberry Beach next door involves a steep path and steps, so avoid that side with a buggy. Check the gradient on the day if wheels matter to you.
What facilities are available at Combe Martin?
Combe Martin has public toilets with accessible and baby-changing facilities in the Kiln car park directly behind the beach. There is no RNLI lifeguard service. Level access leads from the village and car park, with cafés, pubs, shops, and restaurants a short walk away.
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