Woody Bay Beach (National Trust), Martinhoe and Woody Bay, Exmoor National Park
Sand, rock and pebble beach below towering, woody cliffs
The classic Westcountry beach is a vast expanse of low tide sand popular with families and surfers. The beaches lining the Exmoor coast are very different. Set below the highest cliffs in England, these beaches are rocky and wild with views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales and the Brecon Beacons. One of the best lines Woody Bay in the western section of the National Park.
Location of Woody Bay Beach
Lynmouth and Lynton are located on the Devon/Somerset border. Head west on the coast from these popular holiday destinations and you pass through the famous Exmoor beauty spot The Valley of Rocks and then drop down to Lee Abbey and Lee Abbey Bay Beach. West of this beach is a heavily wooded section of coastline with towering cliffs. This is where you'll find the appropriately named Wood Bay and Woody Bay Beach. At low tide, a large sand, rock and pebble beach is exposed. The setting is remarkable between Crock Point to the east and Wringapeak to the west.
We've positioned Woody Bay Beach on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Directions to, and parking at, Woody Bay Beach
You can access the Woody Bay area from many directions. We'd recommend driving the A39 to Martinhoe Cross by Woody Bay Station and the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. Follow the road over Martinhoe Common and you'll come to a large car parking area on your right. Ignore this, turn right and then follow the road as it zig-zags into the woodland above Woody Bay. You'll come to another car parking area with information boards. Park here.
Now walk the access road that descends through the wood past beautifully located houses and Martinhoe Manor until you come to a viewing area above Woody Bay Beach. Bring a camera/smartphone. The views east over the beach are amazing. Look out for the houses seemingly perched on the side of the huge, wooded cliffs.
Follow the path and part boarded walkway down to the beach. The last section is superb with a restored lime kiln to your right and a pebbled path underfoot. You're at the western end of Woody Bay Beach. Note that the sandy section is east but only visit at low tide. Check tide times before visiting.
Note that it is a long walk back up the path and access road to the car parking area.
Woody Bay Beach
At low tide, Woody Bay Beach is a large sand, rock and pebble beach. There's an old quay at the western end and a pretty waterfall by the entrance to the beach. As mentioned, the sandy section is on the eastern side below towering cliffs.
Given its remote(ish) location and the effort one has to put in to get to the beach, it's often relativey empty. This is not Woolacombe Sand or Saunton Sands on the North Devon Atlantic coast.
You can climb up onto the old quay at low tide. This is the remains of an attempt to turn the area into a tourist destination. Steamers used to dock at the quay delivering passengers to Exmoor. Please note that the Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world. Don't get cut off. Check tide times.
Woody Bay Beach is popular with wild swimmers. There are super views back to the cliffs from the water.
You can also take a RIB ride along the coast from Ilfracombe. It's great fun.
Beaches near Woody Bay Beach
Beaches on the coastline east of Woody Bay Beach:
Lee Abbey Bay Beach
Wringcliff Bay Beach
Lynmouth Western Beach
Lynmouth Eastern Beach
Sillery Sands (Beach)
Porlock Beach
Bossington Beach
Minehead Beach
Dunster Beach
Blue Anchor Beach
Kilve Beach
Beaches on the coastline west of Woody Bay Beach:
Heddon's Mouth Beach
Wild Pear Beach
Combe Martin Beach
Combe Martin Newbury Beach
Broadsands Beach
Watermouth Cove (Beach)
Hele Beach
Ifracombe Rapparee Cove (Beach)
Ilfracombe Wildersmouth Beach
Ilfracombe Tunnels Beaches
Lee Bay Beach
Sandy Cove (Beach)
North Devon Atlantic facing beaches:
Rockham Beach
Grunta Beach
Barricane Beach
Woolacombe Sand (Beach)
Putsborough Sand (Beach)
Croyde Sand (Beach)
Saunton Sands (Beach)
Northam Burrows Beach
Westward Ho! Beach
Instow Sands (Beach)
Things to do near Woody Bay Beach
South West Coat Path
Hunter's Inn
The Valley of Rocks
Lynton and Lynmouth Railway
Watersmeet (National Trust)
Exmoor International Dark Sky Reserve
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Exmoor Zoo
Exmoor horse riding
Villages and towns near Woody Bay Beach
Martinhoe
Lynton
Lynmouth
Combe Martin
Malmsmead and Oare
Photo Gallery
