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Family-friendly beaches in Devon coastline

Practical Devon family beaches

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN DEVON

Plan an easier family beach day with clear notes on parking, toilets, food, access and seasonal lifeguards.

Plan the practical details

Family beach days with fewer surprises

These beaches combine toilets, food nearby, a straightforward place to park, seasonal RNLI patrols and an approach that is manageable for many families. That does not guarantee suitable sea conditions - check the tide, weather, flags and current patrol dates before anyone enters the water.

3 family beach guides

Family-friendly beaches in North Devon

Croyde in North Devon

Practical family beach in North Devon

Croyde

A ramped, step-free route runs from the northern end of Down End car park to the beach, though the loose sand beyond it is hard going on wheels.

Parking
Down End car park is closest to the beach and uses number-plate cameras. Croyde village car park and the National Trust car park at Baggy Point are the alternatives.
Access
A ramped, step-free route runs from the northern end of Down End car park to the beach, though the loose sand beyond it is hard going on wheels.
Toilets
Croyde has public toilets, including accessible facilities, and outdoor showers near the beach.
Food nearby
The Thatch - The thatched village pub at the centre of Croyde, with food, live music and rooms.
Seasonal lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol through the main summer season. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
Westward Ho! in North Devon

Practical family beach in North Devon

Westward Ho!

The slipway gives level access straight onto the sand. Crossing the pebble ridge from Northam Burrows is uneven and hard work with a pushchair or wheelchair.

Parking
Use the seafront or slipway car parks for the quickest access, or Northam Burrows Country Park for the quieter northern end.
Access
The slipway gives level access straight onto the sand. Crossing the pebble ridge from Northam Burrows is uneven and hard work with a pushchair or wheelchair.
Toilets
has several public toilet blocks, including accessible and Changing Places facilities, plus showers along the seafront.
Food nearby
The Pier House - A bar and restaurant above the beach with wide views along the bay.
Seasonal lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol through the main summer season. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
Woolacombe in North Devon

Practical family beach in North Devon

Woolacombe

A short but fairly steep slipway leads from the Esplanade onto the sand. Beach wheelchairs can be booked through the tourist information centre in the village.

Parking
Use the beachside car parks at the village end, or park further along and walk in if the main ones are full.
Access
A short but fairly steep slipway leads from the Esplanade onto the sand. Beach wheelchairs can be booked through the tourist information centre in the village.
Toilets
Woolacombe has public toilets with accessible and baby-changing facilities, outdoor rinse-off showers, and RNLI lifeguards through the main season and selected holidays.
Food nearby
The Red Barn - A family and dog-friendly pub a few steps from the beach, serving food and drinks.
Seasonal lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol daily through the main season and at holiday weekends. Swim between the red and yellow flags.

3 family beach guides

Family-friendly beaches in South Hams

Bigbury-on-Sea in South Hams

Practical family beach in South Hams

Bigbury-on-Sea

The car park is close to the sand. Reaching Burgh Island on foot requires crossing open beach at low tide.

Parking
Use the large Bigbury-on-Sea car park above the beach and arrive early during summer holidays.
Access
The car park is close to the sand. Reaching Burgh Island on foot requires crossing open beach at low tide.
Toilets
Bigbury-on-Sea has public toilets near the main car park, seasonal showers, and a first-aid station during the main season.
Food nearby
The Pilchard Inn - A historic 14th-century pub on Burgh Island, reached on foot at low tide or by sea tractor at high tide.
Seasonal lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol through the summer, and a café and beach shops are close to the sand.
Blackpool Sands in South Hams

Practical family beach in South Hams

Blackpool Sands

Level access from the car park, though the beach itself is shingle.

Parking
Large on-site car park, with an all-day charge.
Access
Level access from the car park, though the beach itself is shingle.
Toilets
The bay is sheltered and toilets, food and hire facilities are all on site.
Food nearby
Blackpool Sands Café - A sit-down café and restaurant overlooking the bay.
Seasonal lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol for a shorter summer season than at many nearby beaches, so check current dates before swimming.
Hope Cove in South Hams

Practical family beach in South Hams

Hope Cove

The short, flat route from the car parks makes Hope Cove one of the easier South Hams beaches to access.

Parking
Use either village car park and arrive early if you want to stay close to the beach.
Access
The short, flat route from the car parks makes Hope Cove one of the easier South Hams beaches to access.
Toilets
Hope Cove has public toilets open 24 hours all year, with cafés, pubs, restaurants, and shops in the village.
Food nearby
Hope & Anchor - A large gastropub right by the beach, serving food with rooms available upstairs.
Seasonal lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards patrol Outer Hope for a short summer season only; Inner Hope is not lifeguarded.