Crow Point

The twin headlands of Crow Point jut into the Taw and Torridge estuaries like a pair of sandy fingers, creating one of North Devon's most dramatic coastal walks. You get proper dunes, salt marshes, and a working lighthouse at the tip - all accessible on foot from Bideford, though the approach involves a fair bit of tramping across sand and shingle. It's free, naturally, and takes a good two hours to do properly if you want to reach the lighthouse buildings themselves.

The views across the estuary are genuinely impressive, especially if you time it for late afternoon when the light softens. The sand flats below attract waders and wildfowl, so bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing. Families manage it fine, though the final stretch to the lighthouse can be muddy and the wind here is often quite fierce - not ideal for toddlers but older kids enjoy the adventure of it.

Walkers will find this far more rewarding than a standard beach trudge. The changing landscape - dunes giving way to marsh, then shale - keeps things interesting, and you're genuinely away from the crowds despite being just outside Bideford. Good spot for photography too, especially the golden hour.

The holiday parks scattered within five miles - Braddicks, Ocean Pitch, Ruda - make it easy to base yourself locally. Go on a settled day with decent tide times; this walk can feel bleak in bad weather, and certain tides restrict access to the lighthouse itself. Allow half a day minimum if you're doing the full round trip properly.