The beach is well looked after by Parkin Estate (Image: Abigail Neep)
Tucked away off the A361 in North Devon lies the hidden gem of Woolacombe, a destination that requires a patient approach, navigating long winding lanes fringed with tall hedges where encountering oncoming traffic can prove testing. Yet those who persevere will find their efforts richly rewarded.
Upon arrival, the panoramic spectacle unfurls before visitors like a well-kept secret, beckoning them with open arms. The fresh, green scent wafting from the hillside fills the air as the car window is lowered, preluding an awe-inspiring view scarcely matched elsewhere. Amidst this tranquil village lay several car parks, the two principal ones cost £12 for day-long access. This rate might strike some as steep, but their proximity to the sandy shores justifies the expense.
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The stunning region is reminiscent of Europe (Image: Abigail Neep)
Ben and Teagan, a couple vacationing in the region, were full of high praise for Woolacombe’s offerings: “Everything you need is just down the road. Once you’ve parked, you don’t need to leave all day. It’s very small roads to get here, I can imagine it can be an issue because of all the traffic,” they shared.
Woolacombe’s historic ties trace back to 1133 when the Chichester family first took ownership of the beach and its environs. Later, Stanley Parkin acquired both Woolacombe and the adjacent Mortehoe village, eventually passing the mantle to his son, Ray Parkin, in 1995, reports Devon Live.
Under Ray’s chairmanship, Parkin Estates flourished until his death in 2021. The village today has had substantial investment in preserving its pristine condition and developing superb facilities.
Woolacombe Beach has also been lauded by The Times as one of the UK’s top beaches, boasting the prestigious European Blue Flag status.
North Devon holidaymakers Lynn and Karl from Stafford said: “It’s just a beautiful beach, you have to travel a long way to find a beach like this.”
There’s car parking facilities and it looks like a place abroad (Image: Abigail Neep)
Berkshire’s John, visiting for the first time and staying in Ilfracombe, enthused: “This is my first visit, we’re staying in North Devon in Ilfracombe. It’s a beautiful beach, the north coast is a bit grey on sand, it’s nice to see some gold.”
The dual-aspect beach, splitting zones for dogs, maximises the appeal – Parkin Estates deserves a hats off for their handling of the three-mile stretch.
“I love how one side of the beach doesn’t allow dogs, there’s so much space so it makes sense to do that,” said one ecstatic visitor.
Teagan, another sun-seeker, was thrilled about the plentiful room to relax: “There’s so much room on the beach and so there’s space to sit. It’s not overwhelming,”.
Woolacombe isn’t just about the seaside; with its plethora of pubs, eateries, and cafes, along with activities like mini golf, there’s never a dull moment.
Stroll down the lanes and it’s like being whisked away to a continental hotspot, complete with ‘tourist style’ shops with mannequins draped in summer wear lining the paths.
Even the single road that snakes through the village adds to that intoxicating European vibe.
The seagulls aren’t quite tourist’s favourite (Image: Abigail Neep)
Woolacombe transforms into a bustling Spanish-style beach resort in the summer, but as winter sets in, the town becomes eerily quiet. Will, from Ilfracombe and working at Steve’s Surf Hire, said “It’s not nice when it’s raining, no-one comes down except dog walkers who come and have a look but then they just go,”
Louise, his colleague, echoed his thoughts but noted that locals appreciate the tranquillity: “In the winter, it’s a ghost town, the majority of pubs shut in the winter too. It’s quiet because it’s a seaside town. There’s just shops, which are closed in the winter,” adding, “Locals make use of that, to come in the winter because there’s nobody here.”
A stone’s throw from the shore, The Captain’s Table, a family-run eatery famed for its hearty breakfasts, offers a variety of seafood, alongside sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and jacket potatoes, all sourced from Devon.
The Captain’s Table (Image: Abigail Neep)
Nigel, the General Manager, takes pride in the restaurant’s appeal to both tourists and residents: “We have new customers but also regulars. We get some that only come here for two weeks of the year, but we know them and we quite often know what they’ll be having,” he shared, highlighting the generational loyalty of their clientele, “We see generations of people coming in. We have grandparents whose parents brought them, they bring their children, who bring their children.”
Woolacombe beach, renowned for its surfing reputation, caters to both advanced and beginner surfers with its reef break producing impressive waves.
The beach is home to several surf schools and perhaps inspired the name of The Surf Takeaway, a mobile food outlet located right on the sand.
The takeaway was opened in the past year by Paul and Teddy, who commend the beach for its cleanliness and aim to offer some of the finest Devon produce.
North Devon and Woolacombe is known as a World Surfing Reserve (Image: Abigail Neep)
“Parkin Estates keep [the beach] immaculate, it’s clean, they look after it which is a big commitment,” Teddy commented. “People come to Devon because they want a pasty, we have links with local suppliers and we choose the best pasties, they might not be as cheap, but it’s what we prefer.”
Holidaying in Woolacombe is enchanting, however, a few visitors had an issue with one thing in particular.
One visitor remarked: “There are seagulls everywhere, they have the tendency to steal food.”
Another visitor, Maisie, expressed her disdain: “I hate them I do, it literally landed on a kid’s head to get his food. I heard someone shouting that their finger was bitten by a seagull!
Visitors have the option to rent one of 70 beach huts on the beach. Parkin Estates construct a sandbank over the summer at the back of the beach where the huts are located. Woolacombe, a picturesque seaside town, is offering a tempting five per cent discount for those booking over seven days, complete with two deckchairs, two patio chairs, a table, and windbreak, all in standout colours that add a vibrant touch to the beach’s backdrop.
Locals who call Woolacombe home praise its beauty, with one resident claiming, “you can’t get a better place.”
Their tourist style shops make it feel like a beach resort (Image: Abigail Neep)
Yet, the surge of tourists has sparked concerns among some residents.
Will commented on the changing dynamics: “Everything is expensive in Woolacombe, people aren’t down for as long as they normally would be. A lot of people are moving out of Woolacombe, rich people move here, live here for a month and then rent their place out to holiday makers.”
Louise chimed in about the impact on community life: “People stay for three or four days instead of for the whole week.
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“It would be better if there were less holiday homes. Most of it is holiday homes, it affects the community spirit here because no one knows anybody.”
Despite these issues, visitors continue to flock to Woolacombe, enchanted by its charm.
Ellie and Nathan, visiting from Essex, shared their experience: “We’re staying in Ilfracombe and came to Woolacombe for the day. The parking is expensive, but totally worth it,” Nathan said.
Ellie was impressed with the amenities: “It’s unlike anywhere else I’ve been, there’s loads of facilities, nice places for lunch.
“Their children, Jasper and Sam, were equally thrilled with the beach: “[The beach] is so big, we had a race, and I won!” exclaimed Jasper.
Sam eagerly anticipated more fun: “We’re going in the sea later, and I’m not even going to wear a wetsuit. “.
