Bucks Mills Beach

The walk down to Bucks Mills is half the charm - a steep coastal path that drops you into a proper hidden cove just outside Bideford. Once you reach the shingle beach, you're looking at dramatic red cliffs towering overhead and a scatter of traditional fishing cottages clustered at the water's edge. It's small, intimate, and genuinely feels like you've stumbled onto somewhere locals actually use rather than somewhere designed for visitors.

The beach itself works best at low tide when you get proper sand to work with, though even then it's never going to be vast. Families with young kids will manage the descent fine going down, though the return climb is a different beast - it's steep enough that you'll feel it. Paddling and rock pooling are decent here, and if the light's right in late afternoon, the red cliffs catch the sun beautifully. Photographers will want to come early to beat the crowds.

There's a car park at the top near the village, and it's free to access the beach. Allow a good two hours to properly explore and not rush the climb back up. Worth combining with a quick look around Bideford's waterfront on the way - about five miles away - or basing yourself at one of the nearby parks like Broad Park Camping or Coastal Cabins Glamping for a proper break. Early September is lovely here, quieter than summer and still warm enough for a swim if you're brave.