Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9SW
There are beaches you drive to, beaches you walk to and then there is Broadsands. This hidden cove, tucked beneath towering wooded cliffs between Watermouth and Combe Martin, requires a descent of around 220 steps to reach. On the way back up every single one of them is noticeable. But Broadsands is the kind of beach that makes the journey feel entirely justified from the moment you arrive.
The cove is small, sheltered and extraordinarily beautiful. The cliffs rise steeply on all sides, heavily wooded and dramatic, creating a sense of complete enclosure and privacy that is almost impossible to find anywhere else on this coastline. The water is clear and the beach is quiet. Most you are here precisely because they want exactly that: peace, beauty and the feeling of having found somewhere special.
Wild swimmers and adventurous you are particularly drawn to Broadsands. The calm, sheltered conditions within the cove, combined with the spectacularly remote feeling of the location, make for an exceptional swimming experience. At low tide, a wide beach of coarse sand and pebbles slopes down to the sea, and the surrounding coastline is well worth exploring when conditions permit.
Dogs are welcome at Broadsands throughout the year with no seasonal restrictions, making it a wonderful choice for adventurous dog walkers who do not mind a serious descent and an equally serious climb back up.
It is worth checking local information before visiting to confirm that the cliff path and steps are fully accessible, as this stretch of coast can be subject to change. The beach is owned by Watermouth Valley Camping Park.
When you do get down there, find a spot, listen to the sea and breathe in the extraordinary silence. Broadsands is one of those places that reminds you exactly why the North Devon coast is so extraordinary.
