Northam Beach

The beach at Northam, just outside Bideford, stretches out in a long golden arc that catches the light differently depending on the tide. It's the sort of Devon coast that feels properly worked-in - all russet cliffs, rock pools at low tide, and enough sand to actually settle in without feeling cramped. The promenade runs alongside it, which is handy if the weather turns and you need a café or an ice cream van fix.

Families will find plenty to occupy a full day here. Rock pooling when the tide's out is absorbing for kids aged five through to teenagers who pretend they're too cool but still hunt for crabs. The beach shelves gradually, which means paddling is feasible without nerve-wracking drop-offs. The walk along the top offers views back towards Bideford and out across Bideford Bay - nothing Instagram-famous, but genuinely nice. You'll spot walkers doing coastal stretches here regularly.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Braddicks is barely a mile away, or Owl Valley and Broad Park are within easy reach - Northam makes for a straightforward morning or afternoon. The beach car park is convenient enough, though it fills up on summer weekends. Go early or wait for late afternoon when families clear out. The cliffs are a bit exposed, so wind can pick up, but that rarely stops anyone. Allow two to three hours minimum if you've got kids in tow; walkers might pop down for a shorter stretch of the coastal path. No fancy facilities that I'm aware of, so pack what you need.