Watermouth Bay

The sweep of sand and shingle at Watermouth Bay, just outside Ilfracombe, is one of those stretches of North Devon coast that rewards a proper explore rather than a quick look. It's a proper working bay - you'll see fishing boats, the beach gets used for real, and there's a genuine sense of place that doesn't feel manufactured for tourists.

What you get here depends on the tide and the season. At low water, the beach opens up properly and you can walk for ages along the sand. The cliffs backing the bay are worth studying too - they tell the geological story of this bit of coast in their layers and colours. Walkers tend to use it as a stopping point on longer coastal paths rather than a destination in itself, which suits the place fine.

It's free to visit, naturally - it's a bay, not a theme park. Allow an hour or two if you're keen on beach combing or photography. The light's particularly good in late afternoon when it catches the cliffs from the right angle. Come when the weather's decent; on a grey, windy day it can feel a bit bleak.

If you're staying at Watermouth Valley Camping Park - barely ten minutes' walk away - this becomes your everyday beach rather than a day trip destination. Sandaway Beach Holiday Park and Hele Valley Holiday Park are also close enough that families could combine it with a park holiday easily. It works well alongside proper beaches at Ilfracombe itself, but honestly, if you've got access to camping nearby, Watermouth Bay is where locals actually go.