Dog Friendly Beaches in North Devon
Discover North Devon's Dog-Friendly Beaches 🐕🏖️
When it comes to a beach holiday in North Devon, your four-legged companion deserves a sandy adventure too! North Devon's stunning coastline boasts a wonderful selection of dog-friendly beaches, perfect for watching your furry friend's tail wag with joy. Discover the best dog-friendly beaches in North Devon and explore nearby dog-friendly cottages for your ultimate seaside escape.
Millbrook Cottages: Your Gateway to North Devon's Beach Bliss
Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of North Devon, Millbrook Cottages serve as the perfect base for exploring this coastal paradise. Our 5-star dog-friendly cottages offer luxury and comfort for both you and your four-legged best friend. We're just 25–35 minutes from some of North Devon's finest beaches including Saunton Sands, Westward Ho! and Instow — making us the ideal base for a dog-friendly beach holiday. Whether you seek relaxation on the sands, exhilarating coastal walks, or simply a place to unwind, Millbrook Cottages provide the ideal haven for your North Devon adventure.
Bringing Your Pooch to the Beach
North Devon offers a variety of exceptional beaches, but which ones are dog-friendly? This is a common query, and we've got great news. North Devon provides an abundance of fantastic dog-friendly beaches, and this guide will walk you through the most popular ones — including details on seasonal dog restrictions, available facilities, and tips for making the most of your visit.
Saunton Sands: A Dog's Paradise
Saunton Sands is a paradise for families and their furry companions. With over three miles of soft sandy beach, you and your dog have plenty of space to explore. The beach is also adjacent to Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Facilities near the car park include surf hire, a beach shop, public toilets, a café, and a restaurant. What sets Saunton Sands apart is its Landeez all-terrain wheelchair, making it the only dog-friendly beach in North Devon to offer this accessibility feature.
🐾 Saunton Sands welcomes dogs all year round, but there are restrictions. Dogs are welcome south of the red dog bin in Zone C all year. For those planning to explore Braunton Burrows, it's advisable to check their Facebook page for specific zones to avoid due to livestock.
Woolacombe: Award-Winning and Dog-Friendly
Woolacombe is an award-winning beach, known for its long stretch of golden sands and family-friendly facilities. It's a dog's paradise, with three miles of soft sand perfect for playing fetch, digging, or splashing in the sea. However, it can get busy during the summer months, so be mindful if your dog prefers a quieter environment.
🐾 Woolacombe Beach is dog-friendly, but there are some restrictions in place during the summer months. Dogs are not allowed between the rocks at the north end of the beach and the stream from Good Friday or 1st April (whichever is earliest) until the first Monday in November. They must be on leads from the stream to Mill Rock from the same dates, but may be exercised without restriction from Mill Rock onwards.
Putsborough Sands: Tranquil and Dog-Welcoming
Nestled between Croyde and Woolacombe, Putsborough Sands is a fantastic dog-friendly beach that offers a slightly less crowded experience than Woolacombe. Your furry friend can enjoy the long stretches of golden sands and explore rock pools for splashing and adventure. A scenic walk around Baggy Point from Putsborough Sands leads you to Croyde, offering a delightful way to explore the coastline.
🐾 Putsborough Sands is welcoming to dogs all year round, with only selected areas on the far left-hand side of the beach having restrictions from 1st April to 31st October.
Croyde: A Picturesque Cove
Croyde Bay, situated between Saunton Sands and Woolacombe, is a picturesque cove beach. While it's not a year-round dog-friendly beach, it's still a great place to visit with your pooch during the cooler months. The sandy beach is backed by dunes, providing ample space for your dog to play.
🐾 Croyde Beach is not dog-friendly all year round. Dogs are not permitted between May and September. However, during the rest of the year it's a wonderful place to visit with your pooch.
Westward Ho!: Accessible and Dog-Friendly
Westward Ho! offers a two-mile sandy beach that's easily accessible for most and is dog-friendly for most of the year. Your canine companion will enjoy exploring the large rocks, pebbles, and grassland. Be cautious of lead restrictions on the grassland areas when livestock is grazing.
🐾 Westward Ho! allows dogs all year round at the north end (Northam Burrows entrance), but there are restrictions enforced at the southern end during the summer months.
Instow: Serene Estuary Beach
Instow boasts a lovely estuary beach with a gentle gradient to the water's edge and sand dunes towards the far end. It's a tranquil spot for a walk with your dog, offering delightful views across the estuary to Appledore. The calm waters make it ideal for dogs of all sizes to splash and play.
🐾 Dogs are not allowed on the stretch between the Quay and Lane End Road between 1st May and 30th September at Instow Beach. However, they are allowed on the rest of the beach under supervision.
Hele Bay: Peaceful Cove
Located just north of Ilfracombe, Hele Bay is a small cove ideal for those seeking peace and quiet or for nervous dogs. While the beach mainly consists of shingle, it provides a serene setting for a leisurely walk with your canine companion.
🐾 Hele Bay is dog-friendly all year round.
Broadsands: Picturesque and Accessible
Known as one of North Devon's most picturesque beaches, Broadsands offers a peaceful escape from the crowds. However, its pebble beach requires manoeuvring over 200 steps to reach, which may not be suitable for dogs and owners with mobility challenges. Located on the edge of Exmoor, Broadsands provides stunning beach vistas and calm waters, making it a top spot for wild swimming.
🐾 Broadsands Beach welcomes dogs all year round.
Explore these dog-friendly beaches in North Devon and create cherished memories with your furry friend. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guide to things to do in North Devon with dogs, our award-winning dog-friendly credentials, or get in touch to book one of our luxury dog-friendly cottages in North Devon.