Combesgate Beach

If Woolacombe is the main event, Combesgate is the quieter, more thoughtful sibling that those in the know head to when they want a little more space. Sitting just north of Barricane on the approach towards Mortehoe, this stretch of beach rewards those who seek it out with a more secluded experience and an altogether different character.

Combesgate is larger than Barricane but smaller than the main beach, occupying a beautiful middle ground that makes it ideal for those who want rock pools and relative peace without having to trek miles along a coastal path. The beach faces west, meaning the evening light here is genuinely superb. Bring a picnic, stay late and watch the sun dip below the Bristol Channel. It is an evening well spent.

The beach has a natural, unspoilt quality that feels refreshing. There are no concessions, no beach huts and no crowds jostling for space. What you get instead is the sound of the sea, a stretch of sand that is all yours and a view that stretches clear to the horizon.

It is worth noting that from the end of April through to the end of September, dogs are asked to stay off the main beach, so if you are visiting with a canine companion during the summer months, plan your visit for early morning or check current restrictions before you go. In the shoulder seasons, Combesgate is absolutely brilliant for a long, unhurried dog walk.

Access is on foot from Woolacombe or Mortehoe, following the South West Coast Path. The walk itself is part of the appeal, taking you along dramatic clifftops with views across Woolacombe Bay that are very hard to leave behind.

For a beach that sits just minutes from one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns, Combesgate feels remarkably untouched. That is the magic of the North Devon coast.