Hotels in Woolacombe

A five-kilometre stretch of golden sand makes Woolacombe one of the best beach resorts in Devon. Spend the day basking in the sunshine, building sandcastles and cooling off in the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean. The award-winning beach is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer, making Woolacombe popular with families. At low tide, nearby Barricane Beach is great for rock pooling.

Stroll into the charming village centre to enjoy lunch at a traditional pub. You’ll also find cafes, bakeries and fish and chip shops. If you’re feeling indulgent, sit down for a Devonshire cream tea with scones, jam and clotted cream.

Woolacombe attracts surfers from across the country. Paddle out on your own board or sign up for lessons at the local surf school. In addition to surfing, you can also rent kayaks, standup paddleboards and other water sports equipment. If you’d rather stay on dry land you can explore scenic hiking trails that take you along craggy clifftops and through rolling sand dunes.

Getting there

Woolacombe is located on the coast of North Devon, a 1.5-hour drive from Exeter and four hours from London. Trains call at Barnstaple, a 25-minute drive from Woolacombe. Heathrow Airport is a 3.5-hour drive away.