West Appledore

The beach at West Appledore sits right where the Taw estuary opens up to the sea, which means you get something rather different from the typical Devon sand-and-shale experience. At low tide the whole thing transforms - mudflats and channels spread out for miles, and you can walk across to Instow on the opposite bank if you fancy it. The village itself is tiny and properly unspoilt, with a decent pub and a few shops, none of which will keep you entertained for more than an afternoon.

It's the kind of place that works best for families with younger kids or anyone who enjoys mucking about on the foreshore. The beach shelves gently, which is ideal for paddling. Older children might get restless once they've exhausted the rock pools and collecting shells angle. The real draw is the walk - take the coastal path south towards Velator Marsh or north up to Northam Burrows, and you'll see why people bother with this corner of the coast at all.

Timing matters here more than most beaches. Come for the low tide if you want the full mudflat experience, but check the tide tables first or you'll find yourself ankles-deep in water. Summer weekends bring day-trippers from Bideford, which is only a couple of miles away, so mornings are calmer. Braddicks Holiday Park sits less than three miles down the road, making West Appledore a realistic morning or evening option if you're based there.

Free to access, naturally. Allow two to three hours if you're combining it with a walk, or an hour if it's just a quick paddle and potter about.