North Devon with your dog

DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN NORTH DEVON

From Woolacombe's signed dog zones to year-round space at Saunton and Sandymouth.

Plan before you set off

North Devon dog rules, beach by beach

Several of the biggest beaches use zones rather than one rule for the whole bay. Check the named section as well as the dates before choosing where to park.

8: Beach guides
3: Year-round beaches
3: Beaches with dog zones
2: Seasonal restrictions

Check the signs when you arrive. Dog control orders and private beach rules can change. The dates below are a planning guide, while signs at the beach show the rule in force that day.

8 local guides

Dog-friendly beaches in North Devon

Seasonal restriction

Combe Martin

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.

Where dogs can go: Main beach: seasonal ban. Newberry Beach: year-round dog-friendly alternative.
Lead rules: No specific lead rule stated for Newberry Beach; on-lead recommended around other visitors.
After the beach: The Dolphin - dog-friendly pub and restaurant directly opposite the main beach; dogs welcome in bar and outside. Short walk from Kiln car park.
Parking with a dog: Kiln car park / Newberry Beach car park: Kiln car park (pay and display) above main beach. Small separate car park at Newberry Beach. No dog exclusion from either car park.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Seasonal restriction

Croyde

Dogs banned from the sand 1 May - 30 September, all 24 hours (not just daytime). Dogs permitted on coast path and dunes behind the beach during the ban. Unrestricted 1 October - 30 April.

Where dogs can go: Whole main beach sand: 24-hour seasonal ban. Coast path and dunes: year-round access during ban.
After the beach: The Thatch - dog-friendly village pub, short walk from Down End car park. Dogs welcome in bar and outside.
Parking with a dog: Down End car park: ANPR cameras; pay by cash, contactless or app (RingGo/Park Smarter). No dog exclusion from car park. Note: beach itself is off-limits to dogs 1 May-30 September.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Dogs welcome year-round

Ilfracombe

Dogs generally welcome year-round at Wildersmouth. North Devon Council-managed beach; check on-site signage for any updates as town beach rules can change.

Where dogs can go: Whole Wildersmouth beach.
Lead rules: No specific rule stated; responsible control expected.
After the beach: The Pier Brewery Tap & Grill - dog-friendly bar and grill near the harbour, short walk from Wildersmouth; dogs welcome inside and in the 'Poop Deck' garden. The George & Dragon (Fore Street, 2 min walk) is also confirmed dog-friendly.
Parking with a dog: Cove, Pier or Wilder Road town car parks: Pay and display, all within a few minutes of Wildersmouth. No dog exclusion from parking.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Dog-friendly section

Southern section of beach (below the beach shop, left of the access steps) is restricted 1 May - 30 September. The main body of beach - approximately two miles towards Woolacombe - is open to dogs year-round.

Where dogs can go: Southern section: seasonal restriction 1 May-30 Sep. Rest of beach (northward): year-round dog access.
Lead rules: No specific rule stated for the open section.
After the beach: The Rock Inn - Traditional dog-friendly pub in Georgeham, approximately 1 mile inland from Putsborough. Dogs welcome in bar.
Parking with a dog: Putsborough Sands car park: Private car park directly above the beach, beside the beach shop. Daily, weekly and season tickets available. No dog exclusion from car park.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Dogs welcome year-round

Sandymouth

No seasonal restrictions. The National Trust asks that dogs are kept under close control at all times.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
Lead rules: Close control required; on-lead on steep clifftop path is strongly recommended.
After the beach: Sandymouth Café - Seasonal family-run café by the National Trust car park. Dogs not permitted inside, but confirmed dog-friendly outdoor seating. Open through the main season.
Parking with a dog: National Trust car park, Stibb clifftop: Free for NT members; pay-and-display (coin machines or JustPark app) for others. Steep uneven path to beach; no parking at beach level. No dog exclusion from car park.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Dogs welcome year-round

Saunton Sands

No seasonal ban. Dogs must be kept on a lead in front of the beach huts. A small section immediately north of the slipway is excluded from dogs. Remainder of the long beach is open year-round.

Where dogs can go: Most of beach year-round; lead zone in front of beach huts; small exclusion north of slipway.
Lead rules: On-lead in front of beach huts (requested, consistently enforced by signage). Excluded: small section north of slipway.
After the beach: Beachside Grill - Described in beach guide as dog-friendly casual grill at beach level. Directly adjacent to the car park.
Parking with a dog: Beachside car park: ANPR cameras; pay at machine, in shop or via app before leaving. No dog exclusion from car park; note the lead and exclusion zone rules apply on the beach itself.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Dog-friendly section

Westward Ho!

Main southern section (south of Sandymere Bridge): dogs banned 1 May - 30 September. Dogs must be kept on leads on the promenade during the same period. Northern section between Sandymere Bridge and the Taw/Torridge estuary remains open to dogs year-round.

Where dogs can go: Southern section: seasonal ban 1 May-30 Sep. Northern section (Sandymere to estuary): year-round dog access.
Lead rules: On-lead on promenade 1 May-30 September.
After the beach: The Pier House - dog-friendly seafront bar and bistro above the beach; dogs welcome inside and outside. Closest confirmed dog-friendly venue to the beach.
Parking with a dog: Seafront / slipway car parks; Northam Burrows Country Park: Pay and display behind seafront (closest to main beach). Northam Burrows for quieter northern end. No dog exclusion from car parks; dogs on leads in Northam Burrows nature reserve.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

Dog-friendly section

Woolacombe

Zoned beach: Zone A (northern section, Esplanade car park to stream): dogs banned 1 April (or Good Friday, whichever is earlier) - 30 September. Zone B (middle, stream to Mill Rock): dogs on lead only, same period. Zone C (southern section, south of Mill Rock towards Putsborough): dogs welcome year-round, off-lead. All zones fully open 1 October - 31 March.

Where dogs can go: Zone C (south of Mill Rock): year-round off-lead. Zone B: lead-only in season. Zone A (north): seasonal ban.
Lead rules: Zone B: on-lead 1 Apr-30 Sep. Zone C: off-lead year-round.
After the beach: The Red Barn - dog-friendly pub a few steps from the beach at the village end. Dogs welcome in bar area and outside; water bowls and treats provided.
Parking with a dog: Esplanade and Sandy Burrows car parks: Pay and display, behind the beach at the village end. Fill early on busy summer days. Zone A is the nearest section to these car parks; dog owners wanting unrestricted access should head south to Zone C.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules