Best Sunset Spots in Croyde

Short answer: The Beach Cafe and Sunset Bar at Downend has the best sunset seat in Croyde — clifftop, licensed, and named for the job. Putsborough's sunsets get singled out by visitors, and Baggy Point gives you the highest western horizon.

West-facing, which is the whole battle

Croyde bay faces west into the Atlantic. So does Saunton, so does Putsborough. This entire stretch of the north Devon coast is pointed at the sunset, which is why it produces evenings the south coast simply cannot.

Downend

The obvious answer, and it is obvious because somebody built a bar there for exactly this reason. The Beach Cafe and Sunset Bar sits on the clifftop above the southern end of the bay with its own car park, doing coffee and crab sandwiches by day and Sri Lankan curries on curry nights.

It has an actual licensed bar, which most beach cafés do not, and later opening Thursday to Saturday. Reviewers describe coming specifically for drinks and the sunset.

Putsborough

North through the lanes, and worth the drive. Reviewers describe wonderful views and amazing sunsets from the beach, which stretches three miles up to Woolacombe with nothing between you and the horizon.

Its own car park, café and shop. The lanes down are single-track and tight, which is worth remembering when you are driving back in the dark.

Baggy Point

The highest and most dramatic option. The headland walk from Croyde gives you an open western horizon with Lundy visible on a clear evening. The full loop is about two and a half miles, so time it to be at the point rather than halfway round when the sun goes.

There is a lower inland path if the cliff edge in fading light does not appeal.

Timing

Arrive half an hour before sunset and stay twenty minutes after it. The afterglow is usually better than the sunset itself, and almost everyone leaves the moment the sun touches the horizon — so the best light and the emptiest viewpoint arrive at the same time.

Practical

• Take a torch. Devon coast paths are unlit and the walk back is in the dark.
• Stay back from cliff edges. The ground gives way, and you cannot see where it starts.
• Check when the car park closes — several on this coast lock their gates.
• It gets cold fast once the sun goes, even in July. Take a layer.

Afterwards

The Thatch is the centre of the village with live music, big portions and a good beer list. The Hideout's rooftop terrace catches the evening sun and does pizza and cocktails, ordered by QR code.