Devon beaches get very busy in the summer and most have some sort of restriction on where dogs can go on the beach during the summer.
To avoid the crowds, in the summer we usually go early – arriving around 8am when the beach is mainly populated by dog walkers.
If you really want to go during the day, Saunton Sands is probably your best bet because most people congregate in the first few hundred yards (where you have to have your dog on a lead), but as the beach is incredibly long, it is easy to get away from the crowds.
If you don’t mind a pebble beach, Seaton and Slapton sands are both long beaches with reasonable parking.
With all of the beaches in summer, be aware that you may simply not be able to park so it’s best to try and get there reasonably early.
Broadsands, Paignton, TQ4 6LL
Lovely sandy beach. However, dogs are not allowed on the beach at all during the summer.
Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6ES
A pebble beach where dogs are banned from the main beach in the summer but allowed on the beach adjacent to the Lime Kiln car park in the East, and at steamer steps in the west. Cafes on the sea front.
Dawlish Warren, EX7 0NG
Long sandy beach with a designated dog area (between groyne 3 and groyne 9). Lots of other family friendly activities and amusements.
Exmouth, EX8 2AY
Exmouth is a lovely sandy beach and even in the winter when the whole beach is open to dogs, we usually go down to Orcombe point which is the dog friendly area in the summer (the last two groynes and round the headland). Bumble and Sea are located on top of the cliff for takeaway tea, coffee, snacks and dog ice-cream and there is plenty of room to sit on the benches or sea wall and enjoy the view.
Parking is along the sea front plus there is a car park near the lifeboat station and one further up the hill from the lifeboat station.
Instow, EX39 4HY
A sandy beach on the Taw Estuary. In the summer, dogs are only allowed at the far end of the beach where there is a car park but not much else in the way of facilities. During the winter, Johns of Instow is a dog friendly cafe (use the side door) and delicatessen. There have been issues with water quality here before so worth checking it first.
Ness Cove, Shaldon, TQ14 0HP
A smallish sandy beach accessible to dogs all year round. Reached via a smugglers tunnel. Usually quieter than Teignmouth, there is a large car park and Cafe Ode in the car park is dog friendly.
Paignton, TQ4 6AW
Sandy beach. Dogs banned between 1st May and 30th September. Several cafes on the sea front.
Seaton, EX12 2LN
Pebble beach that is dog friendly all year. Pub and cafe on the sea front. Tends to be quieter than most beaches because it is a pebble beach and because there is not a lot in the way of seaside amusements.
Saunton Sands, Braunton, EX33 2NU
3 1/2 mile beach at the mouth of the Taw Estuary which is completely dog friendly except for the first few hundred yards where you need to keep them on the lead. Very shallow so very safe for paddling and swimming as you will have to go a long way to be out of your depth. Watch out for the tide coming in – because it is shallow it comes in fast so if you are leaving clothes, picnic, chairs etc on the sand, make sure they are well back. Cafe on site.
Sidmouth EX10 0NW
In the summer this is a very, very busy town with a pebble beach. Dogs are allowed in a small section at the east end of the beach in summer and there are plenty of shops and cafes. It’s a lovely town but best to visit out of season.
Slapton Sands, TQ7 2PN
3 mile long pebble beach which is dog friendly all year. There are several cafes along the beach.
Teignmouth, TQ14 8BQ
A long shingle beach which slopes towards the sea. Dog friendly area in the summer is the Eastern end. The Pavillion Cafe is dog friendly both inside and outside as is Teign bean at the beach. At high tide the water comes right up to the wall and there is no beach at all.
Westward Ho!, EX39 1LQ
Between 1st May and 30th September dogs are only allowed on the North part which is a pebble beach. During the winter they are allowed on the sandy South beach as well.
Woolacombe, EX34 7DJ
Beautiful sandy beach split into 3 zones in the summer – dog free, dogs on leads and no restrictions. Cafe near to the main car park. Gets very busy in the summer and extremely difficult to park. In the winter they often close the main car park so only the on-road parking is left.
Goldies on tour 