The beaches of Devon

Award-Winning Beaches – As well as having many beaches with Blue Flag awards, Devon also has listings in the Marine Conservation Society`s Good Beach Guide. An MCS listing promises clean sea water, free from pollution, so you can enjoy bathing or water sports and allow children to paddle or play in the water without fearing for their health. What began life as a `Golden List` of clean beaches in 1960 and led to the introduction of European standards for sea-water quality, is now the definitive guide to cleanliness and health standards on beaches. Devon is proud to have so many of its beaches listed.

The Blue Flag award is a similar scheme that operates throughout Europe and beyond. It, too, deals with environmental issues such as water quality and safety. Devon has 11 Blue Flag beaches including Croyde Bay in North Devon and Oddicombe to the south in Torquay.

North Devon Beaches – North Devon has some of the finest surfing beaches, with Croyde beach being one of the favourites. Sand banks, its west-facing direction and regular occurrence of barrels make it a surfer`s paradise. For family beach holidays, Westward Ho! has sandy beaches that extend over two miles. There are also plenty of promenade shops offering souvenirs, buckets and spades and fish and chips. Being one of Devon`s Blue Flag beaches, Westward Ho! is also a good spot for beginner surfers to get a feel for the sport before progressing to beaches with more powerful waves.

Other beaches on the north Devon coast that are worthy of consideration include Ilfracombe which has four tunnels providing access to a privately owned cove, Tunnels Beach. There`s a small charge to go through the tunnels, but once there you`ll find a tidal pool where children can snorkel in safety.

South Devon Beaches – Divided into two separate regions, south-west and south-east, in the south-east are the well-known beaches at Dawlish and Sidmouth. Dawlish beach is quiet and relaxing with good sand and dog access in certain areas. A footpath along the sea wall extends to Dawlish Warren, another sandy beach where water sports equipment, such as jet-skis, can be hired. There are also amusements nearby with cafes and shops, as well as a nature reserve. This is another of Devon`s Blue Flag beaches.

One of the attractions of the south-west, or South Hams region of Devon is Bigbury-on-Sea where it`s possible to walk to Burgh Island or take a sea tractor at low tide. There`s some shingle on the beach although it`s mostly sand and there are also toilet facilities and a cafe. During the summer there are lifeguards and a safe bathing area. Between Dartmouth and Slapton is Blackpool Sands. This shingle cove, shielded by wooded cliffs on either side, has facilities such as disabled access, toilets and a cafe. Another Blue Flag beach, it`s popular with families due to the safe bathing in clean water.