Our dogs are a big part of the family, so it's no wonder we want to make sure they have a great holiday too. North Devon is one of the best places in the country for a dog friendly break — miles of sandy beaches, dramatic coastal paths, river walks and the refreshing Atlantic Ocean for a proper doggy paddle.
We're extremely lucky to have so many dog friendly beaches in North Devon, though it's worth knowing that some have seasonal restrictions or zoning rules during the summer months. We've broken it all down below so you can find the perfect beach to get those tails wagging — and we've included the best nearby pubs and cafés for a well-earned post-walk treat too.
Instow Beach
Dog friendly all year round in designated area.
Instow is a beautiful, peaceful estuary beach with stunning views across the Taw and Torridge rivers — and it's one of the more relaxed spots for dogs in North Devon. From 1st May to 30th September, dogs are restricted from the stretch between the Quay and Lane End Road, but there's still plenty of beach to enjoy outside of that zone.
After your walk, Instow village is well worth exploring. The Boathouse, The Instow Arms and John's of Instow are all dog friendly and all brilliant for lunch — sandy paws very much welcome.
Westward Ho!
Dog friendly all year round in designated area.
Westward Ho! — the only place name in the UK with an exclamation mark, fact fans — has a long, wide beach with a distinctive pebble ridge backing it, and dogs are welcome here throughout the year. All year round, dogs are permitted on the northern end of the beach. Between 30th September and 1st May, the entire beach is open to dogs.
It's a great spot for a long walk along the seafront promenade, and the village has a good selection of cafés and fish and chip shops to reward your efforts. Don't leave without a Hockings ice cream — locally made clotted cream ice cream that is genuinely one of the great Devon institutions. (You may need to eat yours quickly before a certain someone tries to share it.)
Saunton Sands
Dog friendly all year round with some restrictions. Beach huts for hire.
Three miles of golden sand, backed by the magnificent Braunton Burrows dune system — Saunton Sands is one of the finest beaches in England and the good news is that dogs are welcome here every single day of the year. Dogs do need to be kept on leads past the initial beach hut area, but beyond that there's an enormous stretch of open beach to enjoy.
The Beachside Grill at the Saunton Sands Hotel is dog friendly outside and serves excellent burgers and salads with a view that's hard to beat. A perfect post-beach lunch stop.
Woolacombe Bay
Dog friendly all year round with seasonal zones.
Woolacombe is one of North Devon's most celebrated beaches — a vast, sweeping bay with consistently good surf and a wonderful atmosphere. Dogs are welcome all year, with the beach divided into zones during the peak season. The further you walk from the main access point, the more space you'll find — and Zone C at the far end has no restrictions at all.
Head straight off the beach to The Red Barn, a brilliant dog friendly bar-grill with all-day comfort food, real ales and live music on Fridays. It's exactly the kind of place you want to end up after a long walk on the sand.
Croyde
Dogs welcome on the beach 1st October – 30th April. Dunes accessible all year.
Croyde is one of the most beautiful and popular surf beaches in North Devon — a golden horseshoe of sand flanked by dramatic headlands. During the summer months, dogs aren't permitted on the main beach, but the dunes that sit above it are accessible all year round and make for a wonderful walk in their own right.
For a longer outing, Baggy Point is a spectacular National Trust headland walk just a short drive away, with views back over Croyde and north towards Woolacombe — well worth it at any time of year. Afterwards, The Thatch in the heart of the village is one of the most dog friendly pubs in North Devon, with a genuine warm welcome for four-legged visitors.
Lynmouth Beach
Dog friendly all year round.
Lynmouth sits at the foot of the cliffs where Exmoor meets the sea, and its shingle beach is dog friendly throughout the year. It's a wonderfully dramatic setting — the East and West Lyn rivers tumble down through the wooded valley and into the sea here, and there are rock pools to explore and plenty of interesting smells to investigate.
The famous Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is dog friendly (on a short lead and staying in the carriage), and takes you up to the clifftop town of Lynton where there are tea rooms, pubs and spectacular coastal views. A genuinely special day out.
Hele Bay
Dog friendly all year round.
Hele Bay is a quieter, more sheltered alternative to the bigger beaches nearby — a small shingle and sand cove tucked between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin, with calm water that's brilliant for paddling dogs. It's one of those hidden-gem spots that tends not to get too crowded, which makes it a lovely choice if you'd rather have a bit of peace.
Just off the beach is Hele Corn Mill, a beautifully restored 16th-century working watermill with a lovely tea room attached. A charming stop for the humans while the dog recovers from all that swimming.
Putsborough Sands
Dog friendly all year round with some restrictions.
Putsborough Sands is an award-winning beach at the quieter southern end of the Woolacombe bay — a three-mile sweep of sand that connects all the way to Woolacombe at the other end. The dog friendly zone is to the left of the beach as you walk down the stairs, and it tends to be noticeably quieter than its more famous neighbour, which means more room to stretch those legs.
Facilities are deliberately minimal here — a beach café, a shop and some famous award-winning toilets (yes, really). That's part of the charm. It's a genuinely beautiful and unspoilt spot, and well worth making the effort to reach.
If that's not enough beach for one holiday, treat your dog to a proper dog ice cream while you explore — so you don't have to share yours.
After all that exploring, we're sure you'll hear some very contented snoring coming from the back seat on the way home — leaving you to put your feet up and relax. You're on holiday too, after all.
If you're planning a dog friendly wedding in North Devon, Tree Top Escape welcomes up to two dogs at your ceremony — and our award-winning venue was named South West Tourism's Best Dog Friendly Business of the Year 2024. Take a look at our intimate wedding packages or explore more dog friendly days out in North Devon.
