DOGS: Which North Devon beaches can I walk my dog on?

We’re blessed here in North Devon to have such a wide range of open spaces perfect for letting our canine companions run free. But when it comes to beaches, certain rules apply - and in this blog we’ll clear up just where you can take your pet pooch for a saunter across the sand

Out of the major North Devon beaches, only a few allow you to take your dogs 365 days a year.

Saunton is one of these, although owners are asked to keep their pets on leads in front of the beach hut area at the start of the beach.

Woolacombe, on the other hand, is zoned, and the rules are as follows: Zone A - no dogs between April 1 and November 1; Zone B - on a lead from May 1 to September 30; Zone C - no restrictions.

Barricane, just next door to Woolacombe, allows dogs between October and April, but they must be on a lead between the months of May and September.

Dogs are allowed everywhere on Putsborough, except for the far left of the beach from Easter until November 1.

A ban is also in place for dogs on Combe Martin beach between May 1 and September 30, while Croyde allows dogs between October 1 and April 30.

The area to the west of North Devon is the political region of Torridge, and here you will find plenty more brilliant beaches where you can enjoy a walk.

Clovelly allows dogs on their sands all year round, but there is a year-long ban in place on Hartland. Instow has introduced an advisory dog ban between the Quay and Lane End road between May 1 to September 30.

Westward Ho!, on the other hand, allows dogs for most of the year; but between May 1 and September 30 they are only allowed on the northern end of beach, to the right of the Pebble Ridge.

A few miles away towards Bude, Cornwall is Sandymouth which allows dogs all year and is a lovely beach. It is National Trust so if you are not a member you will have to pay to park. (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandymouth)

But that’s not all.

There are plenty of other beaches in North Devon, a lot of which allow dogs all year round.

Dogs are allowed all year round at:

Wildersmouth, Ilfracombe

Other Ilfracombe (The Cove, Raparee, Larkstone, Cheyne), Watermouth, Hele Bay, Lee Bay, Crow Point, Rockham, Wild Pear, Lynmouth and Mortehoe

Dogs are not allowed between May 1st and September 30th at:

Combesgate

Dogs are allowed between November 1st and Easter at:

Lee Bay

Dogs are banned all year at:

Woody Bay

PLEASE NOTE: Assistance dogs are allowed on beaches all year round.