ABOUT THE AREA

Set between rugged, unspoilt Baggy Point and Mortehoe, this North Devon beauty spot is framed by the hills of Woolacombe Downs just West of Exmoor National Park. Its best known feature is the sandy beach, perfectly positioned for surfers to catch a long-breaking swell. Woolacombe village boasts a range of eclectic boutique, cafes, bars and eateries, as well as amenities such as a chemist and general store. For a wider range of shops and facilities, Barnstaple is about 13 miles away.

Woolacombe is about 11 miles from the A39 Atlantic Highway. Barnstaple has a railway station; the closest airport is Exeter.

Schools: Woolacombe has a primary school, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted. The well regarded independent boarding school West Buckland is in this area.

Beach life thrives in this North Devon beauty spot. There is an RNLI lifeguard on service from Easter-October, and you can hire any equipment you want to try out, from a surf board to a surf canoe, and wetsuits to keep you warm. There are regular surfing competitions. When you want a change of scene, you’re in easy reach of Putsborough, Barricane and Coombesgate Beach. Barricane, or Shell Beach as it is known locally, has a small beach cafe serving homemade Sri-Lankan curries. It’s very popular, so get there early and bring a bottle.