Gauter Beach

The stretch of sand at Gauter Beach near Bideford is one of those Devon spots that doesn't shout about itself, which rather suits it. You get a proper beach - decent-sized expanse of sand, cliffs backing it, the usual seaside setup - without the chaos of the more famous beaches along this coast. The walk down is straightforward enough, and once you're there, it's the kind of place where you can actually find space to spread out, even in summer.

It works best for families after a straightforward seaside day - paddling, sandcastle building, maybe a rockpool poke about. Older kids might find it a bit low-key if they're after something with more going on. The water's cold, obviously, because it's Devon, not the Mediterranean.

There's no information readily available about facilities or admission charges, so pack what you need and go prepared. Allow a couple of hours if you're combining it with other activities in the Bideford area. Timing-wise, check the tide tables before you head down - like most Devon beaches, low tide gives you significantly more usable sand.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Broad Park Camping is just 2.8 miles away, with Roeys Retreat and Owl Valley both within easy striking distance - Gauter makes a sensible half-day addition to a longer holiday. It won't blow your mind, but it's a solid, unpretentious beach that does what it says on the tin. Worth a morning trip if you're in the area.