North Tail

North Tail is a proper working beach tucked away near Braunton, where you'll find sand that actually feels like sand rather than packed concrete. It's the kind of place locals know but visitors often miss - low-key, unfussy, and free to access whenever you fancy a walk or a paddle. The beach itself stretches nicely when the tide's out, giving you proper room to move about without feeling hemmed in by holiday crowds.

This isn't where you go for amusement arcades or fancy beach bars. It's genuinely just a beach - soft sand, rock pools if you know where to look, and decent sea breezes. Families with young kids find it manageable because it's quieter than the major Devon beaches, though you'll want to check the tide tables before heading down. Walkers and photographers often linger longer here than expected; the light does something rather nice in late afternoon.

Allow an hour or two depending on whether you're just stretching your legs or settling in with a packed lunch. There's no admission charge, obviously. If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Ocean Pitch Campsite, Ruda Holiday Park, or Woolacombe Sands are all within striking distance - North Tail makes an easy morning jaunt before doing something else in the area. It's not dramatic or famous, but that's rather the point. Sometimes the best beach days are the quiet ones.