Barricane Beach

Tucked in between the rocky headlands just north of Woolacombe’s main beach, Barricane is one of those places that feels like a genuine discovery every single time you arrive. The cove is small, sheltered and undeniably beautiful, but what really makes it special is what you will find beneath your feet.

The sand here is full of exotic shells, tiny fragments of tropical molluscs carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic from the Caribbean. It sounds almost too extraordinary to be true, but that is exactly what makes Barricane so memorable. Sit down, dig your hands into the sand and see what you uncover. It is a genuinely magical experience that never seems to grow old.

The beach is well known among wild swimmers for its sheltered, rocky setting. The water here is bouncy and full of life, and while there can be a current moving through, the rocks on either side provide a degree of shelter that many open beaches cannot offer. It is best explored at low to mid tide, when the full sweep of the cove is revealed.

At its back, a small seasonal cafe serves up some exceptional Sri Lankan street food, which makes a perfect end to a morning swim. The combination of exotic cuisine and exotic shells in one tiny North Devon cove is, to say the least, unique.

Dogs are welcome at Barricane outside the summer season’s peak restrictions, making it a wonderful early morning or autumn walk with your four-legged companion. The approach from Woolacombe is easy on foot, following the path north along the coast from the esplanade.

As the sun begins to drop towards the Atlantic horizon, Barricane turns golden. The rocks catch the last of the light, the shells shimmer and the whole cove takes on an otherworldly glow. Come here in the evening in late summer and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed.