HIDDEN GEMS
See more of North Devon's natural beauty.
Explore North Devon
Want to get the best out of your holiday and see some of North Devon’s natural beauty. It’s well-known that North Devon’s coast is home to beautiful beaches such as Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton – but there is also a multitude of cherished well-hidden beaches and coves dotted along the gorgeous coastline.
Buck Mills
This is a favourite spot for anyone that wishes to spend the best time in North Devon. It’s about a 57-minute drive from Kings Nympton, and it’s one of the best places for sight-seeing in North Devon. To get there, you will drive past High Bullen and Buckland Brewer. Alternatively, you could take the shorter route, which is just a 43-minute drive down to Buck Mills. With this route, you will go through the second exit at the roundabout and drive past Horn Cross down to Buck Mills.
- Beach type: Rocky
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX39 5DY
- Drive Time: 1 hour
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: Free car park
- Accessed via: 0.4-mile downhill walk along a quiet road and a steep paved path to the beach
Lee Bay
A small rocky cove behind Morte Point. Lee Bay is located near Woolacombe and represents a small village near north Devon. It lies across the Fuchsia Valley, and it takes 50 minutes to drive from Wampford Mill, Kings Nympton to the Bay.
It’s completely untouched by the hand of time. More so, the sandy beach and rocky pools that characterise the area make it an ideal place to turn to whenever you are searching for the best spots in North Devon.
- Beach type: Rock, shingle and sand
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX34 8LR
- Drive Time: 50 minutes
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: Pay and display car park
- Accessed via: Short walk along a quiet road, and then a slope to the beach
Broadsands
Not so much a secret place any longer as a result of the current runaway success of the Barricane Beach Café’s scrumptious Sri Lankan curries. (Served in the evenings between Easter and September). If you can locate a far better place to devour on an exceptional plate of curry, then please let us know.
Time it right as well as this bit of beach works as a best-sheltered sundowner that rivals anywhere on the planet. If you are going to sample the curry get there early as once it’s gone, it’s gone!
- Beach type: Sandy
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX34 7DB
- Drive Time: 1 hour and 26 minutes
- Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead from April 30th to September 30th
- Lifeguarded: No
- Best parking: Restricted parking along Mortehoe Road. More parking along The Esplanade and two paid car parks in Woolacombe (5-minute walk)
- Accessed via: The grass headland along Mortehoe Road
Mouthmill Beach
Its Little wonder why Mouthmill Beach ranked as one of the favourite spots for locals and best described as a hidden cove where you can relax and enjoy the feel of nature. During your visit to this cove, you will find several fascinating places to explore.
More so, it’s just 1 hour and a six-minute drive from Wampford Mill, Kings Nympton to Mouthmill.
- Beach type: Rocks
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX39 6AN
- Drive Time: 1 hour
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: National Trust Car Park at Brownsham
- Accessed via: Downhill walk through woodland
Northam Burrows
Head towards Appledore on the A39 but hang a left down Broad Lane and onto the Burrows toll road. Park up, grab your beach mats and dodge the grazing sheep as you head to the sand dunes on the banks of the Torridge Estuary.
The sand is soft and the views are excellent as you take in Baggy Point, Appledore as well as Instow it takes about 45 minutes to get there head on the A361.
- Type: Country Park
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX39 1XS
- Drive Time: 1 hour
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: toll road with a small car park. There are plenty of areas to park up along the roadside before you get to the car park.
- Accessed via: toll road
Rockham Beach
For a remote place on a warm day, head for Mortehoe and follow the signs to North Morte Farm campsite. Wooden steps lead down to this pebbled beached gem. Journey time takes about 50 minutes from Wampford Woodland Retreat.
- Beach type: Sand and rock
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX34 7EF
- Drive Time: 50 minutes
- Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed, no restrictions
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: Mortehoe pay and display car park.
- Accessed via: A 2km coastal walk with stunning views, and then steep steps down the cliffs to the beach
Woody Bay
Not so much a secret but well worth a visit. Enjoy the best of the coast and Exmoor.
It’s about a 45-minute drive, take a hard left off the A39. The road will soon drop into a beautiful wooded valley where you can park the car and descend to the beach on foot or enjoy any one of the numerous coastal walks.
- Beach type: Rock and shingle
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX31 4QX
- Drive Time: 45 minutes
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: Small car park next to the road, high above the beach
- Accessed via: A winding path through woods
Wistlandpound Reservoir
Wistlandpound Reservoir is a beautiful location to enjoy a walk in peaceful woodlands.
Around the 40-acre lake, two main paths wind around the perimeter and through the surrounding spruce plantations. The lower trail is a natural, flat and very accessible. The upper path takes you through Forestry Commission land and is slightly less even underfoot (and sometimes muddy), but remains flat. This is a great place to pull on your boots and breathe in the fresh air.
- Type: Reservoir and woodlands
- Put in your Sat Nav: EX31 4SJ
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
- Dog-friendly: Yes (kept on a lead)
- Lifeguarded: No
- Nearest parking: Small car park next to the reservoir, £2 for two hours, and £4 all-day
- Accessed via: car park