Childspit Beach

The name alone will raise eyebrows, but Childspit Beach near Bideford is genuinely worth a visit if you're after somewhere quieter than the crowded tourist draws. It's a modest stretch of sand and shingle backed by low cliffs, the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think instead of competing with ice cream vans and beach balls.

What you get here is space. In summer you might find families, but nothing like Westward Ho! or other bigger beaches nearby. The beach itself is fine for paddling and building castles, though the shingle means older kids often prefer proper sand. Low tide reveals more of the beach and rocky pools worth exploring.

The walk down isn't steep, which means parents with pushchairs won't have a nightmare of it. Allow an hour or two depending on how much time your lot wants to spend poking about. No facilities that I could see, so bring supplies and don't expect a cafe.

If you're based at Coastal Cabins Glamping or Roeys Retreat Campsite - both solid options within easy reach - this works as a good half-day outing without the hassle of hunting for parking at the bigger beaches. Worth combining with a walk along the coast path heading towards Bideford itself. It won't blow your mind, but sometimes that's not the point. Sometimes you just want a quiet beach.