Spekes Mill Beach

The walk down to Spekes Mill Beach takes longer than you'd expect, and that's precisely why it stays relatively quiet. You'll find yourself on a proper coastal path above Bideford, descending through woodland until the sand opens up below - a crescent of beach backed by dramatic cliffs and a small waterfall that tumbles directly onto the shore after rain.

It's the kind of place where you actually notice the tide tables matter. At low water there's plenty of beach to spread out on; at high tide it narrows considerably and swimming becomes the main event rather than lounging. The rocks at either end are worth exploring if you're into rock pools, though families with young children should watch carefully - the descent is steep and the path gets muddy.

The waterfall is the real draw, especially for walkers heading down from the South West Coast Path. It's genuinely striking when there's been rainfall, though in dry spells it's barely a trickle. Plan a couple of hours maximum unless you're serious swimmers - there's not much to do once you've swum and clambered about.

Glamping at Coastal Cabins just 2.4 miles away is your best bet for staying nearby; you get the quieter beach without being marooned in the middle of nowhere. The walk back up is steeper than you remember, but worth it for having the place to yourself on a weekday morning.