Best Beaches in Devon
Written by UK Hidden Gems Editorial
Updated 5 August 2026
The best beaches in Devon are Grunta Beach, Broadsands Beach, Landcombe Cove, Combesgate Beach, Lannacombe Beach, Moor Sands Beach, Barricane Bay and South Milton Sands.
Devon holds two very different coastlines, and both are lined with beaches worth the effort of finding. In the north the Atlantic drives hard against the cliffs around Woolacombe and Mortehoe, carving out quiet coves such as Grunta Beach, Combesgate and shell-strewn Barricane Bay, along with the tucked-away sands of Broadsands below its steep cliff steps.
In the south the gentler shores of the South Hams shelter spots like Lannacombe, Moor Sands and Landcombe Cove, reached on foot down winding lanes and coast paths, while South Milton Sands spreads its golden sand beneath the natural arch of Thurlestone Rock. Many of these places have no road, no facilities and no crowds, which is exactly what makes them rewarding.
Some suit swimming, snorkelling and rock-pooling, others are simply beautiful places to walk and watch the sea. Whether you want an easy family day or a long clifftop scramble to an empty cove, there is something here for you.
Here are eight of the best beaches to seek out in Devon.
Grunta Beach
Photo: Chris McAuley via Geograph.org.uk
Grunta Beach is a small, quiet cove on the north Devon coast near Mortehoe, on the Woolacombe side toward Morte Point. This is a rocky, west-facing shore, fully exposed to Atlantic weather, with little in the way of sand and no facilities to speak of.
What it offers instead is peace: reached only on foot along the coast, it stays little visited and makes a quieter alternative to the busy sands at Woolacombe nearby. Come for the sense of an empty, rugged coastline rather than an easy beach day, and time your walk out along the path from Mortehoe to seek out this overlooked pocket of the shore.
Broadsands Beach
Photo: Rod Allday via Geograph.org.uk
Broadsands Beach is a secluded cove on the North Devon coast, tucked between Combe Martin and Watermouth and quite separate from the better-known Broadsands near Torquay. Sand and shingle sit at the foot of high cliffs, with caves, rock pools and a natural gap in the rocks, backed by steep wooded slopes.
Getting down is the challenge, a long, steep flight of cliff steps dropping from the old coast road above with no vehicle access nearby. The cliffs are unstable and the path has been damaged by landslips and closed at times, so reaching the shore is not always possible.
When open it is a quiet, sheltered spot far from any crowd, worth checking access before you set out.
Landcombe Cove
Photo: Alan Rosevear via Geograph.org.uk
Landcombe Cove is a small, tucked-away beach of sand and shingle on the South Devon coast between Blackpool Sands and Slapton, near Dartmouth. There is no road to it.
The way in is on foot from Strete, following the South West Coast Path and then dropping steeply down through a field to the shore. The shingle shifts about and can uncover small caves at the back of the cove, while grassy headlands rise on either side.
It stays quiet and undeveloped, with no facilities of any kind, so bring what you need for the day. Lace up your boots and follow the coast path down to seek out this hidden corner of the coast.
Combesgate Beach
Photo: Maurice D Budden via Geograph.org.uk
Combesgate Beach is a sandy beach broken by rocky reefs just north of Woolacombe on the north Devon coast. At low tide it opens up sand and rock pools between the outcrops, and the reef makes it a known spot for surfers riding the Atlantic swell.
The South West Coast Path runs along the cliffs above, heading on toward Morte Point, so the beach pairs well with a walk. It sits a short way along from the long main sands at Woolacombe, quieter and rockier than its well-known neighbour.
Time your visit for low water and follow the coast path down to seek out this reef-fringed cove.
Lannacombe Beach
Photo: Martin Bodman via Geograph.org.uk
Lannacombe Beach lies at the foot of a low valley on a wild stretch of the South Devon coast between Prawle Point and Start Point. It is mostly sand, with pebbles above the tide line and rocky pools at either end, and a small stream runs across it to the sea.
Grassy headlands shelter it from the wind, making it good for rock-pooling and paddling on a calm day. Narrow lanes lead down to a small car park by the shore, though the only structure is a slipway, with no toilets or other facilities.
Follow the winding lanes down to the sea to seek out this quiet, sheltered corner of the coast.
Moor Sands Beach
Photo: Bob Larder via Geograph.org.uk
Moor Sands Beach is a small, remote cove on the South Devon coast just west of Prawle Point, the southernmost tip of the county. Despite the name it is mainly a beach of smooth pale pebbles and rock, with a little sand showing below the tide line.
There is no road to it. The way down is on foot from the car park at East Prawle, along the South West Coast Path and then a steep, awkward scramble to the shore.
It is a quiet spot with no facilities, yet it still draws swimmers, snorkellers and rock-poolers. Pack light and take the coast path west from East Prawle to seek out this out-of-the-way cove.
Barricane Bay
Photo: Pauline E via Geograph.org.uk
Barricane Bay is a small sandy cove at the northern end of Woolacombe in North Devon, closed in by rocky outcrops on either side. Much smaller than the long Woolacombe sands nearby, it is a sheltered pocket of a beach known above all for its shells, the sand scattered with them for beachcombers to sift through.
Rock pools fill among the outcrops, good for children to poke about in. Through the summer a little beach cafe serves Sri Lankan curry on the sand in the evenings, eaten looking out to sea as the light goes.
Facing west into the sunset and backed by low cliffs, it is a snug, easygoing spot well worth seeking out.
South Milton Sands
Photo: David Smith via Geograph.org.uk
South Milton Sands is a National Trust beach of golden sand on the South Devon coast near Thurlestone, in the South Hams. Its landmark is Thurlestone Rock, a great natural arch standing out in the bay just offshore, worn through by the sea over the ages.
Wide sand and clear water with rock pools make it a favourite for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding, and the South West Coast Path runs along the shore between Thurlestone and Hope Cove. There is a car park, a beach cafe and toilets here, and dogs are welcome all year, so it suits an easy family day.
Follow the lane down to the National Trust car park to seek out this celebrated arch.
FAQs
Which Devon beaches are best for families?
South Milton Sands is the easiest for a family day, with a car park, a beach cafe, toilets and rock pools to explore. Barricane Bay is another gentle choice, a sheltered cove near Woolacombe scattered with shells and good for children poking about in the rock pools.
Are the beaches in Devon good for swimming?
Several are, though facilities vary widely. Moor Sands and South Milton Sands both draw swimmers and snorkellers, while many of the north Devon coves are rocky and exposed to the Atlantic, so always judge the conditions for yourself before going in.
Do you need to walk far to reach Devon's hidden beaches?
Some, yes. Grunta, Broadsands, Landcombe Cove and Moor Sands have no road and are reached on foot, often down steep cliff steps or a scramble. Others like South Milton Sands and Lannacombe have parking close to the shore.
Conclusion
From the surf-washed coves of the north to the sheltered sands of the South Hams, Devon rewards anyone willing to walk a little further than the car park. Some of these beaches, like South Milton Sands and Lannacombe, come with parking and even a cafe, while others, such as Grunta, Broadsands and Moor Sands, ask for a steep scramble or a long stretch of coast path before they give up their reward.
That effort is the point, buying you empty sand, clear rock pools and views along a rugged, unspoilt coast. Check the tides, watch the weather and the crumbling cliffs, and take everything you need with you.
Whether you come to swim, snorkel, hunt for shells or simply sit and watch the Atlantic, these are the best beaches to seek out in Devon.
