Best Dog Friendly Beaches in North Devon.

Katharine Brunsch Author

Posted On Jul 21, 2022 |

A guide to the best dog friendly beaches in North Devon especially if you have a nervous, anxious, fearful or reactive dog.

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North Devon has some stunning beaches, some miles long, and most are dog friendly. The best thing about some of my favourite beaches is that they are enormous, even more so at low tide, and so if you have a reactive dog and need that extra space, North Devon's coast is a great place to visit. If you own a reactive dog, you can feel quite restricted in your choices of where to walk them, so this guide includes top tips for reactive dog owners with the best open spaces that you and your furry friend can visit.

1. Crow Point

My Number One favourite beach is Crow Point, just outside of Braunton, down a small Toll Road which is just £2 for the whole day! Opening hours vary depending on the season, and it is closed for a few days around Christmas. There are no toilets or shops at the car park though, so best to stop off somewhere beforehand, unless, like me, you have a camping toilet in your van. 

The car park is next to the Taw Estuary, where you can start your walk, but beware of the mud, especially with the dogs, because it looks like you could get stuck in it. This lovely walk takes you along the Estuary towards Crow Point, where you can look across the water to Instow and Appledore.

As you walk around the corner, you then have miles of beach (between 3-5 miles) which merges with Saunton Sands. For a circular walk, just before the concrete ruins, a boardwalk will take you across the dunes back to the car park. The route across the dunes is pretty long and can be undulating in places. 

Alternatively, you can start your walk by taking the boardwalk path across the dunes to the beach and walk along Saunton Sands; I have yet to walk the entire stretch in one day because you have to think about the walk back! The water is shallow, so if your dogs like to paddle, this is perfect. There are Surfers and Kite Surfers, so it's always good to check your surroundings if they might spook your off-lead dog, which I had to be mindful of with my old dog Keto. 

It is the best dog-friendly beach in North Devon for dogs that need lots of space away from other people and dogs because the beach is enormous. There is plenty of room on the dunes to go off track if you have a reactive dog and need to increase the distance while other people pass. Everyone I have ever met there is hugely respectful of dogs on leads, especially if your dog is wearing Yellow, indicating that some dogs need space. I only came across Crow Point because I was curious about what the other end of Saunton Sands was like, so it is not very well known, and it can feel like you are the only person there!

2. Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is almost joint first with Crow Point for the best dog-friendly beaches in North Devon but can be busier as there are shops, toilets, and a restaurant in the car park. Near the car park is also Saunton Beach Villas, which are dog-friendly holiday lets for a more extended stay. It can be quieter in the winter, but if you want to avoid the slipway down to the beach, you can take a shortcut across the sand dunes, which can be found on the left-hand side of the car park. Dogs are welcome all year round, with the only restricted area being the right-hand side of the beach when you go down the slipway. Once past the Poo Bin, you can let your dog off the lead for a fantastic run-around if you want to. Like Crow Point, there is just miles of beach and so much space at low tide. Occasionally you might see horse riders or local military vehicles, just to make you aware if your dog is sensitive about these things.

Saunton Sands is a famous location, including being the video location for Robbie Williams' hit song 'Angels' (a personal favourite) and filming locations for Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise, and Operation Mincemeat with Colin Firth. You could also book for a photo shoot with your dog on Saunton Sands with Rhian White Photography which I would highly recommend.

The car park can cost up to £17.50 for all day, but the shop does fabulous gravy bone ice creams for the dogs.

Braunton Burrows, the sand dune area and further inland, does have livestock grazing, so dog owners are asked to keep dogs on the lead near livestock and within the fenced area on the dunes.

If you like walking in the sand dunes, you can also access Saunton Sands via Sandy Lane Car Park. The start of the path is quite apparent but can become a little more tricky the further into the dunes you get, but it is excellent if you have a reactive dog because you hardly see anyone. It is a long walk before seeing the sea, possibly 45 minutes, depending on how fast you and your dogs walk, as Braunton Burrows is the largest sand dune system in England. You will see some clearly defined vehicle tracks used by the military, so if you become disorientated, it is a good idea to follow these. Depending on what time of year you visit, there may be parking charges, and sometimes a small shop will be open.

3. Westward Ho! Beach

Westward Ho! Beach is fantastic, but the most important thing is to note the tide times as the sea comes right up to the pebble ridge at high tide. Parking is via the small Toll Road to Sandymere on the Northam Burrows Country Park, and this end of the beach is dog-friendly all year round. At the far end of the car park is Northam Burrows Visitor Centre with various facilities, which are closed during the winter months. Access to the beach is via a slipway; otherwise, it's a bit of a scramble over the pebble ridge. Then you can turn right and head north along the beach amongst rock pools and around the corner to Greysands Beach. 

Here the Rivers Taw and Torridge meet the sea. Across the estuary, you can see Crow Point and Saunton Sands. It is a lovely stretch of beach, and low tide makes it enormous with plenty of space for reactive dogs. When I visited, I noted that the Yellow Dog indication that your dog needs space was not as well recognised as at Crow Point and Saunton Sands, but that might have been just that day. Once at Greysands Beach, you can make your way back to the car park along the South West Coastal Path, which runs across the Burrows. There can be livestock grazing, so please keep your dogs closely supervised or on a lead. Westward Ho! Beach is an excellent place for a walk, and the pebble ridge is a great place to sit with a flask of coffee at the end of your walk and watch the tide come in.

4. Putsborough Sands

Putsborough Sands is dog friendly all year round and is equally spectacular in length as Saunton Sands. At three miles long, it joins with Woolacombe at the other end. At low tide, the beach is enormous, with plenty of space for everyone. You can access the beach via a long slope or steps from the car park, so please bear this in mind if you have a reactive dog. 

This is a popular place for water sports with the Atlantic waves, and the only restricted area for dogs is to the left of the stairs. Parking is £10 a day, and there are toilets and a shop by the car park. You can also camp here for an extended stay. The country lane to Putsborough from Croyde can be narrow in places, but it is worth the drive for the lovely sandy beach.

5. Woolacombe Beach

At the other end of Putsborough is Woolacombe Beach, another dog-friendly beach with the only restricted area closest to the village. There is parking between £4-£10 per day and toilets. Being close to the village, there is easy access to the local shops and cafes, which also means it can be busier if you have a reactive dog. Once past the restricted area on the beach, there is plenty of room for everyone and shallow waters for your dog to paddle in.

There is easy access to the South West Coastal Path from Challacombe Hill Road and Marine Drive if you want to view the beach from a higher perspective, with views across the sea to Lundy Island. As with any coastal path, always keep your dogs on the lead near cliff edges and steep drops for their safety.

6. Instow Beach

Instow Beach, which can be seen from Crow Point, is a lovely location and a very dog-friendly village with the best Hockings Dairy Ice Cream!

There are restrictions on the main beach during spring and summer, but the north end of the beach, away from the main area, is a great place to exercise your dog. Parking can be busy in the village, but Sandhills Car Park places you in the right location to walk your dogs. Instow is on the River Taw and Torridge River estuary, so it does not have the crashing waves of the Atlantic and can be a more sheltered walk if it is windy.

It is important to note the tide times here as the sand can turn muddy as the tide goes out, and the beach is not as wide as Saunton and Putsborough at low tide. Instow is not a bathing beach; despite efforts to meet the standards, therefore dog owners should also be aware that there may be possible pollutants in the water that could be harmful to dogs.

Top Six Tips when walking with your dogs on the best dog-friendly beaches:

1. Take plenty of fresh water.

Always take plenty of fresh water and a bowl with you on the beach; walking on sand is thirsty work even in winter. If you stop regularly and offer your dog water, this will also reduce the chance of them wanting to drink the seawater, which can cause an upset tummy due to the salt. Having a few extra bottles in the car for when you return is also a good idea. You can use this to rinse the sand and salt from their paws if they do not want a drink. Having a towel to brush off the sand is also helpful.

2. First Aid kit.

Having a small First Aid kit for your dog is an excellent idea for any long walk because you never know what might happen. Inside your kit should be a small pair of scissors, some tweezers, bandages, vet wrap, and eye wash, to name just a few. PawAid have a great First Aid Kit and supply refills if you run out.

3. The Dicky Bag.

The Dicky Bag is a must for any dog owner, especially when there might not be a poop bin around. The Dicky Bag has a place to keep clean poop bags and an airtight area for the full bags. The Dicky Bag can be clipped onto your belt, rucksack, or trouser pocket. You can be hands-free to enjoy your walk with your dog without swinging a full bag around along the way. When you return to the car park, you can dispose of it in an appropriate bin. However, not only is The Dicky Bag airtight, but it also comes with its own air freshener, so it won't make a smell in your car if you take it home with you.

4 Always check the tide times.

For the very best beach experience with your dog, it is always a good idea to arrive around low tide, preferably, as the tide is on its way out for maximum walkies time. Although the beaches I have recommended are vast in length, the width is reduced at high tide, so if you have a reactive dog that needs space, this can become challenging.

5 Dog Toys.

You might be thinking about taking some toys to the beach for your dog to play with, but try and choose something less likely to collect sand on it. Tennis balls are like velcro for sand, so something plastic like a Frisbee would be a better choice. Your dog could unintentionally eat and swallow the sand when playing, which can cause stomach blockages and be potentially harmful to them.

Don't throw toys into the sea as this could accidentally cause dry drowning. Dry drowning is when your dog inhales water into their lungs while swimming and can be very dangerous. Always supervise your dog while swimming in the sea and watch for accidental water swallowing.

6. Use a Long Line and Harness.

If you want to give your dog more freedom on the beach but aren't 100% confident about their recall, then why not take a long line with you. Long lines are much safer than retractable leads, and unlike retractable leads, long lines can be loose, encouraging loose lead walking. A well-fitted dog harness is also essential for your dog to have unrestricted movement as they enjoy their walk. Placing a Yellow Ribbon on your dog's lead or harness will also indicate to others that your dog needs space.

About Katharine Brunsch

Katharine Brunsch is a Tellington TTouch Practitioner and Dog Trainer, owning and running Canine Support, and is also a proud sponsor of the Yellow Dog Project. Her knowledge about the best dog beaches in North Devon is first-hand from her own dogs; Jinx, Keto, Chloe, and Remi. Katharine specialises in working with sensitive, nervous, anxious, and reactive dogs with her online dog training courses.

Categories: Best Dog Walks, Reactive Dog