Barricane Beach (SSSI)

Walking down from the main Woolacombe Beach, you'll find this extraordinary little cove where millions of shells have been deposited by Atlantic storms over thousands of years. The entire beach is carpeted in shells - cowries, whelk shells, limpets - creating one of Britain's most unusual shorelines. It's properly magical.

Children absolutely love it here. While the parents are admiring the geological wonder that earned Barricane its Site of Special Scientific Interest status, the kids are filling buckets with treasures. The shell collecting is genuinely world-class - I've seen families spend entire mornings just sifting through the deposits.

Reach it via a steep coastal path from Woolacombe's northern end, about a 15-minute walk. The beach itself is small and gets busy in summer, but there's something rather special about having your own patch of this shell paradise. Swimming is possible but watch the currents.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Woolacombe Bay - and there are plenty to choose from within walking distance - this makes a brilliant half-day trip. Pack a picnic and shell-collecting bags. The walk back up can be a bit of a slog with tired children, but the views over Woolacombe Bay are worth every step.