This English beach destination has charming fishing villages, surfing and the best fish & chips in the southwest.

North Devon in southwest England (located within the county of Devon) is the uncrowded beach destination you’ve been dreaming of. All of the sandy beach areas are located within the North Devon Coast Natural Landscape, an area of moorlands, steep cliffs, waterfalls, and burrows. Go for some of the world’s best surfing, coastal hikes, picturesque harbor towns, and delicious fish and chips, without the crowds of nearby Cornwall and South Devon.

The Beaches of North Devon

North Devon has some of the best beaches in England. In 2023, Save The Waves Coalition highlighted eighteen miles of the North Devon coast as a World Surf Reserve, due to the unique surf conditions, environment, and culture. British surfers claim North Devon has the most consistent waves in the UK.

Can’t surf? No problem. Most of the beaches have a surf school. At Saunton beach a lesson with Walking on Waves includes a wetsuit and board rental. For more advanced lessons try Surfed Out.

Whether you are there for water sports, sunbathing, beach hikes, or simply to experience a peaceful and unique landscape, you’ll never feel cramped. The top three sandy beaches are Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton. Between Woolacombe and Saunton, it is only twenty minutes drive time, depending on the season of course.

Woolacombe Beach is a three-mile stretch of golden sand consistently voted one of the UK’s best beaches, especially for beginning surfers. 

Croyde Bay is a hotspot for surfers and beach lovers, with a charming village nearby. Visit the local pub called The Thatch and The Blue Groove for hearty refueling after a day of surfing or hiking.

The waves at Croyde are generally considered more difficult. Beginning surfers should stick to Saunton or Woolacombe.

Saunton Sands is a popular surfing spot backed by the stunning Braunton Burrows dune system, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve.

Near Saunton beach, Braunton is the quintessential surf town. Don’t miss the Museum of British Surfing which has a nominal entry fee that supports the charity which runs it.

Braunton has a number of one-of-a-kind shops featuring home goods, clothing, and surf gear. The Braunton Countryside Center is near the surf museum and it’s free. Learn more about North Devon through a variety of resources including films, tours, and exhibits.

Hiking North Devon

North Devon is also known as one of the best places for coastal hiking. In fact, great hiking in the area attracts as many visitors as the beaches.

The South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest trail. The landscape varies from wild coastal cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and rocky coves to sand dunes, wooded combes and valleys.

From Croyde you can choose between two easy hikes – the Baggy Point hike is one of the easiest – and it’s partly accessible. Follow the path to Woolacombe for views across the sea to the town of Bideford.

Or head toward Saunton which takes you up a ridge for great views over Saunton beach and the Braunton Burrows.

You’ll also find a lot of World War II history, as American troops prepared for D-day on the beaches of North Devon.

When you’re tired of the beaches, check out some of the nearby harbor towns and villages that are as pretty as a postcard.

Visit Clovelly, considered the most Instagrammable place in North Devon. Be aware that there is a fee to visit Clovelly and it is not an accessible location. The streets are cobblestones and very steep. There are no cars allowed in Clovelly.

Ilfracombe is one of the largest towns in North Devon, and in my opinion has the prettiest harbor. You  can’t miss the larger than life sculpture by Damian Hirst called Verity. She’s a bit controversial so have a look.

The twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth are known for the water powered funicular that runs between the two towns. It’s the highest and the steepest water powered railway in the world. Enjoy gorgeous views over the bay, and there are plenty of cute shops and cafes in both towns.

Unique Foods of North Devon

North Devon doesn’t come up short when it comes to great food and drink. What should you eat in North Devon? For starters, fresh seafood is abundant and delicious. It’s a rural area so there is a cornucopia of local produce to enjoy. Angus cattle are also raised here so good beef dishes and hamburgers are easy to find. I love fish so I ate sea bass every other meal.

Almost any restaurant you go to will have a lot of variety on the menu. A few places I liked include The Blue Groove in Croyde, which has a very eclectic menu with a good selection of wine, beer, and ciders. I had a creamy pasta and shellfish dish, while my friend enjoyed a hamburger. I also tried a local cider, Devon Mist, which was light and refreshing. The atmosphere is casual, but if it’s a holiday, you’ll still need to make a reservation.

If you want a nice beachside dining experience, try the Beach Side Grill at Saunton Sands Hotel. The menu is diverse with a good selection of wine, spirits, and cocktails. If you need to refuel after a day of surfing you’ll find more carb heavy options like risotto and mac and cheese. Go at sunset for the best golden hour in North Devon.

While you may be familiar with English tea or cream tea, you probably haven’t had Devon cream tea, which includes freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam. What makes Devon cream tea different is the order in which you apply your cream and jam. In Devon, be sure to put the cream first followed by the jam. 

Speaking of cream tea, you must try Hockings ice cream, made with Devon clotted cream. You’ll find the food trucks that serve Hockings at various harbor and beach locations around North Devon. We drove to Westward Ho for some Hockings ice cream. Knowing that I’d not have another chance for a long while, I ate two cones. No regrets.

Homemade Cider is excellent in North Devon. Pubs are a good bet for sampling traditional ciders from local orchards.

You can’t visit the English coast without eating fish and chips, especially when they are the best in Southwest England. Squires Fish and Chips in Braunton has been voted the best numerous times. I’m no expert but I don’t disagree. Squires does offer options for anyone who doesn’t want fish and chips. For example, you can have a nice grilled or broiled local fish.

Where to Stay in North Devon

There are a wide variety of accommodations in North Devon, from hotels to inns, as well as pubs with rooms for rent. I couldn’t pass up the dramatic location and convenience of Saunton Sands Hotel located on a bluff overlooking the ocean and a beach that seems to go forever. Saunton Sands Hotel is popular with locals and returning visitors, especially families. I found it ideal as a solo traveler, too.

Saunton Sands Hotel is a Conde Nast Johansen Award-winning hotel with an onsite restaurant and lounge, beachside dining, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and terrace, and a high tech gym.

There are seventy-eight rooms and suites and eleven self-catering apartments. Rooms are furnished in light neutral colors with warm wood accents. Abundant natural light adds to a contemporary feel. Every room has a Nespresso coffee maker, kettle and selection of teas, robe and flip flops, luxury bath products, TV, safe, and wifi.

Other lodging options include Air bnb rentals, VRBO and other hotels and inns in the area. Check out Watersmeet in Woolacombe for a full service hotel experience with views.

If a trip to North Devon isn’t already on your bucket list, add it now before everyone else finds out about it.

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Cover Photo by Nick Sexton on Unsplash  

Penny Sadler is a Dallas-based writer covering travel, food and drink, and lifestyle, with bylines in CNBC Travel, Culture Magazine, Inside Hook, and Cheese Professor. When she’s not traveling she puts her camera ready makeup skills to work on commercials, films, and events. Follow her on Instagram @adventuresofacarryon and her website.