THESE Devon beaches are dog-friendly all summer 🐶☀️
Whether you want to run along the sands or take a paddle, Devon’s beaches deliver.
But many Devon beaches do not allow dogs in the summer season – so if you’re visiting with your four-legged friend, it’s good to know which ones to head to!
This list of beaches welcomes dogs all year.
Here’s a selection of the best beaches where dogs are welcome whatever the season.
Dog-friendly beaches in Torbay
Anstey’s Cove
Situated between Torquay and Babbacombe, Anstey’s Cove is a quiet, pebbly beach with clear waters and limestone cliffs rising steeply behind. Access is via a steep hill or the South West Coast Path. There’s a small seasonal café.
Babbacombe Beach
Sheltered and pebbly, this beach sits below Babbacombe Downs, with views out over Lyme Bay. It’s quieter than the nearby Oddicombe, and has a slipway and breakwater. Parking is limited but available close by.
Elberry Cove
A pebbly cove near Broadsands, reached only by foot. The remains of an old bathhouse still sit at one end, and the water here is popular with swimmers. No facilities, but often very quiet even in summer.
Fairy Cove
Hidden just south of Paignton Harbour, Fairy Cove has red sand and is usually quieter than the main beach. You can walk here easily from town, but it’s tucked behind the cliffs so easy to miss.
Fishcombe Cove
A steep path through woods leads to this quiet cove near Brixham. The water is calm and often used by paddleboarders and kayakers. There’s a seasonal café at the top and good connections to the coast path.
Livermead Sands
Just outside Torquay, this stretch of sand sits between Corbyn Head and Preston. It’s small but convenient, close to the main road and promenade. Shallow waters and views across the bay make it popular with locals.
Shoalstone Beach
Right next to the Shoalstone seawater pool in Brixham, this beach is flat, rocky, and great for low-tide rockpooling. It’s not a classic sunbathing beach, but there are toilets, a café, and steps down from the promenade.
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Dog-friendly beaches in South Hams
Beesands Beach
A long stretch of shingle backed by a small village, Beesands has sea views, a freshwater lake behind, and a seafood café next to the car park. It’s near Slapton and feels far from busier parts of South Hams.
East Portlemouth
Opposite Salcombe, this area has several small coves linked by the coast path. Access is via narrow lanes or passenger ferry. Quiet, clear, and less developed than Salcombe itself, it’s ideal if you want space without straying far.
Mattiscombe Beach
Near Start Point, this remote-feeling sandy beach is accessed by a 20-minute walk from the car park. The route passes cliffs and grazing land. There are no facilities, but it’s one of the best for a peaceful swim.
Hallsands North Beach
Once the site of a village lost to the sea, Hallsands has both history and drama. The beach is shingle and backed by steep cliffs. Access is via a narrow lane and footpath, with an info board about the 1917 storm.
Lannacombe Beach
A narrow lane leads to this quiet spot near Start Point. With no development or facilities beyond a small car park, Lannacombe feels wild. The beach itself is a mix of sand and shingle, and rockpools appear at low tide.
Man Sands Beach
Reached by footpath from a National Trust car park, Man Sands is remote and undeveloped. There’s an old coastguard cottage above the beach and plenty of birdlife in the nearby reedbeds. Fine sand and shingle underfoot.
Mill Bay
Across the estuary from Salcombe, Mill Bay has golden sand, tree-lined edges, and shallow waters ideal for paddling. It’s accessible via East Portlemouth or the coast path. Parking is limited but the beach is wide and open.
North Sands Beach
Just outside Salcombe, North Sands is sandy, flat, and backed by a road with a pub and parking. It’s popular but less crowded than central Salcombe. Ideal for a swim at high tide or a walk towards Snapes Point.
Slapton Sands
A long stretch of shingle between Torcross and Strete Gate, with a freshwater nature reserve (Slapton Ley) just behind. There’s a road running along the back of the beach, so access is easy. Ideal for walks, swims, and sea views.
Soar Mill Cove
Reached by foot from Soar Mill Cove Hotel or via the South West Coast Path, this beach feels wild and remote despite being near Salcombe. Backed by cliffs and heathland, with soft sand and no buildings in sight.
Sunny Cove
Across from Salcombe, Sunny Cove sits near Mill Bay but is slightly more tucked away. The sand is soft and the water usually calm. It’s best accessed via boat, but the footpath from East Portlemouth also reaches it.
St Mary’s Bay
Just south of Brixham, this sandy bay is accessed via steep steps from the coast path. The red cliffs and sheltered feel make it popular with swimmers. No facilities, but it’s one of the area’s most scenic coves.
Thurlestone Beach
Between South Milton Sands and Leas Foot Sands, Thurlestone Beach is a sandy, gently sloping beach with views of the iconic Thurlestone Rock arch offshore. There’s a café and boardwalk nearby, plus easy access from the car park.
Wonwell Beach
On the Erme Estuary, Wonwell is sandy and quiet, with far-reaching views and tidal mudflats at low tide. The beach shifts in shape depending on the tide, and is best paired with a walk along the estuary or coast path.
Dog-friendly beaches in Teignbridge
Ness Cove
Accessed via a tunnel beneath the cliffs in Shaldon, Ness Cove feels like a secret. The beach is shingle with red cliffs behind, and there’s a car park and café just up the hill. Often quiet even on warm days.
Dog-friendly beaches in North Devon
Clovelly
Clovelly is a privately-owned village with steep cobbled streets leading down to a historic harbour. The beach itself is small and pebbly, but the backdrop of white cottages and wooded cliffs makes it a standout. Entry charge applies.
Welcombe Mouth
Right on the Devon–Cornwall border, Welcombe Mouth is a wild and rugged beach reached via a narrow track and a steep path. Expect rock formations, waterfalls, and powerful waves. No facilities, no crowds — just raw coastal scenery.
Wild Pear Beach
East of Combe Martin, Wild Pear is reached via a steep path through wooded cliffs. The beach is rocky at high tide but sandy when the water retreats. No facilities, and the descent keeps it crowd-free even in summer.
Hele Bay
Just east of Ilfracombe, Hele Bay is a small pebbly beach surrounded by rock formations and sea caves. There’s a car park and café nearby, and at low tide you can explore the rockpools or walk further around the headland.
Instow
Across the water from Appledore, Instow has soft sand, views of the Torridge estuary, and a laid-back village feel. There’s a small pier, cafés, and good access from the Tarka Trail. The dunes behind give a bit of shelter from the wind.
Lynmouth Beach
More boulders than sand, Lynmouth’s beach sits at the foot of dramatic cliffs and the confluence of two rivers. It’s a classic Exmoor coastal scene — steep, rugged, and atmospheric, with walks leading directly from the seafront.
Rockham Bay
Near Mortehoe in North Devon, Rockham Bay is reached by a steep descent from the coast path. The beach is sandy with plenty of rocks and backed by dramatic cliffs. Often empty, especially outside school holidays. No facilities.
Visiting Devon beaches with dogs responsibly
🧹 Pick up after your dog: Always carry bags and dispose of waste in the appropriate bins (never leave it or hide it under rocks).
🐕 Use a lead where required: Keep dogs on leads near wildlife, nesting birds or around other beachgoers if it’s busy.
🌊 Watch for strong tides: Know tide times and avoid letting your dog swim when the currents are strong or unpredictable.
🚯 Leave no trace: Take toys, bowls, litter and waste away with you — keep the beach clean for everyone.
🐾 Respect wildlife: Keep dogs away from seals, nesting birds, or grazing livestock on coastal paths.
👨👩👧 Be aware of others: Not everyone is confident around dogs — recall your dog if they approach anyone.
