17 Best Beaches in Devon, Cornwall & Dorset | Ultimate South West Beach Guide

Whether you're chasing surf, seeking hidden coves, planning family beach days, or simply looking for the perfect sunset spot, the South West is home to some of the UK's most incredible coastline.

At Saltrock Head Office in North Devon, we're lucky enough to have world-class beaches right on our doorstep. When we asked our team to share their favourite beaches, their answers revealed personal stories, local secrets and places they return to year after year.

We've combined those local recommendations with some of the most breathtaking beaches across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to create the ultimate guide to the best beaches in the South West.

Best Beaches in North Devon

Woolacombe Beach

It won't surprise many locals that Woolacombe made the list. Consistently recognised as one of the UK's best beaches, its miles of golden sand, reliable surf and incredible sunsets make it a favourite for families, walkers and surfers alike.

Our Marketing Manager Sarah describes it perfectly:

"On a sunny day, the water can be as turquoise as the Med, and the long sandy beach is perfect. I love the feeling of walking through the dunes and suddenly emerging to that incredible Atlantic view. It never gets old."

Whether you're catching waves, building sandcastles or simply enjoying fish and chips on the seafront, Woolacombe captures everything we love about life on the coast.

📍 Esplanade Car Park, Woolacombe EX34 7DN
🚶 Walk to beach: 1 - 3 mins

Barricane Beach

Just around the headland from Woolacombe sits one of North Devon's best-kept secrets.

Barricane is a small sheltered cove famous for its shell-covered shoreline and magical summer sunsets. It's also home to a beloved seasonal beach café serving Sri Lankan curries that have become something of a local legend.

For our Finance Assistant Charlotte, it's a beach that's woven into family memories and remains a place she returns to year after year.

📍 Esplanade Car Park, Woolacombe EX34 7DN
🚶 Walk to beach: 1 - 3 mins

Saunton Sands

Stretching for over three miles, Saunton Sands offers a huge expanse of golden sand backed by the spectacular Braunton Burrows dune system.

It's a dream location for dog walkers, surfers and anyone who loves long coastal walks.

Saltrock's Head of Finance Rebecca loves the feeling of space here:

"I love the vastness of the beach and being able to walk the dogs from one end to the other."

📍 Nearest parking: Saunton Sands Beach Car Park, Braunton EX33 1LQ
🚶 Walk to beach: 2 mins

Broadsands Beach

Broadsands near Combe Martin is one of those places that feels like you've discovered a secret. Reached via coastal footpaths and tucked beneath dramatic cliffs, the cove rewards visitors with crystal-clear water and beautiful scenery. It's exactly the kind of off-the-beaten-track location that adventurous beach lovers dream about.

Only accessible via the sea.

Kayaks can be hired from Active Escapes at Watermouth Cove

Instow Beach

On the calmer side of North Devon, Instow offers wide sandy shores, estuary views and some of the most spectacular sunsets in the county. It's a favourite spot for evening strolls, sailing and enjoying a famous Hockings ice cream while watching the boats drift across the water.

📍 Nearest parking: Marine Parade Car Park, Instow EX39 4JJ
🚶 Walk to beach: 2 mins

Best Beaches in South Devon

Bantham Beach

Bantham combines rolling surf, golden sand and stunning views towards Burgh Island. Frequently rated among Devon's top beaches, it's ideal for families and watersports enthusiasts alike.

📍Nearest parking: Bantham Beach Car Park, TQ7 3AN
🚶 Walk to beach: 2-3 mins

Blackpool Sands

Despite the name, Blackpool Sands is actually a beautiful crescent-shaped beach backed by pine trees and rolling hills. Its sheltered setting and calm waters make it particularly popular with families and paddleboarders. It is regularly highlighted among South Devon's finest beaches.

 📍 Nearest parking: Blackpool Sands Beach Car Park, TQ6 0RG
🚶 Walk to beach: 1 min

Bigbury-on-Sea

One of the most iconic landscapes in Devon, Bigbury offers fantastic beach walks and unforgettable views toward Burgh Island. At low tide, visitors can walk across the causeway to explore the island and its famous Art Deco hotel.

📍 Nearest parking: Bigbury-on-Sea Beach Car Park, TQ7 4AS
🚶 Walk to beach: 1 -2 mins

Best Beaches in Cornwall

Constantine Bay

A North Cornwall favourite, Constantine Bay has long been popular with surfers and families thanks to its expansive sandy beach and reliable waves. Saltrock designer Lizzie's family has been visiting for generations:

"My family have been going to this beach with family friends for over 50 years."

With rock pools, surf schools and nearby Padstow just minutes away, it's easy to see why people return year after year.

📍 Nearest parking: Constantine Bay Beach Car Park, TR8 5LB
🚶 Walk to beach: 3 mins

Fistral Beach, Newquay

No list of the best beaches in Cornwall would be complete without Fistral.

Widely regarded as Cornwall's surfing capital, Fistral attracts everyone from complete beginners to professional surfers. The beach buzzes with energy, while the clifftop views make it just as enjoyable for spectators. 

📍 Nearest parking: South Fistral Car Park, Headland Road, Newquay TR7 1HY
🚶 Walk to beach: 5 mins

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno often appears on lists of the UK's most beautiful beaches thanks to its white sand, turquoise water and dramatic granite cliffs. On a sunny day, you could easily mistake it for somewhere much further afield than Cornwall. Combine a beach day with a visit to the nearby Minack Theatre for one of the most memorable coastal experiences in the country.

📍 Nearest parking: Porthcurno Car Park, TR19 6JX
🚶 Walk to beach: 5 mins

Kynance Cove

Located on the Lizard Peninsula, Kynance Cove is famous for its crystal-clear water, white sand and extraordinary rock formations. It's one of Cornwall's most photographed locations and remains a bucket-list destination for visitors exploring the South West Coast Path.

 Arrive early during summer and time your visit around low tide to experience the cove at its very best.

📍 Nearest parking: National Trust Kynance Cove Car Park, TR12 7PJ
🚶 Walk to beach: 10 mins

Holywell Bay

Known for its dramatic sand dunes and distinctive rocky offshore stacks, Holywell Bay delivers that wild Cornish coastline feeling that visitors often imagine when planning a South West escape.

It's popular with surfers, walkers and photographers, particularly during sunset.

📍 Nearest parking: Holywell Bay National Trust Car Park, TR8 5PP
🚶 Walk to beach: 5 mins

Pedn Vounder Beach

For those seeking a true hidden gem, Pedn Vounder is hard to beat. Accessible via a steep coastal path, this secluded beach rewards adventurous visitors with incredible clear water, rugged scenery and a peaceful atmosphere that's a world away from busier tourist hotspots.

📍 Nearest parking: Porthcurno Car Park, TR19 6JX
🚶 Walk to beach: 25 mins

Best Beaches in Dorset

Durdle Door Beach

Perhaps Dorset's most famous beach, Durdle Door combines stunning coastal scenery with one of Britain's most recognisable natural landmarks.

The limestone arch has become an icon of the Jurassic Coast and attracts visitors from around the world.

 📍 Nearest parking: Durdle Door Car Park, BH20 5PU
🚶 Walk to beach: 15 mins

Man O'War Beach

Just around the corner from Durdle Door, Man O'War Beach offers a slightly quieter alternative while delivering equally dramatic scenery.
It's a great choice for adventurous walkers exploring the Jurassic Coast.

📍 Nearest parking: Durdle Door Car Park, BH20 5PU
🚶 Walk to beach: 20 mins

Weymouth Beach

For a classic British seaside experience, Weymouth remains one of the country's best-loved beach destinations. Its wide sandy shoreline, family-friendly atmosphere and traditional seafront attractions continue to make it a holiday favourite.

 📍 Nearest parking: Pavilion Car Park, Weymouth DT4 8ED
🚶 Walk to beach: 2 mins

The beauty of the South West is that no two beaches are quite the same. You can surf world-class waves at Woolacombe and Fistral, discover hidden coves like Sandy Cove or Pedn Vounder, enjoy family beach days at Weymouth and Constantine Bay, or take in unforgettable views at Kynance Cove and Durdle Door.

For us at Saltrock, beaches are about more than sand and sea. They're places where memories are made, adventures begin, and families come together.

So next time you're exploring Devon, Cornwall or Dorset, why not venture beyond your usual spot and discover a new favourite?

And wherever your next beach day takes you, don't forget the essentials: a comfortable beach mat, a cosy post-surf layer, plenty of sun cream, and a sense of adventure. All available from one of our stores find one close to you or online at the holiday shop.

See you on the coast.