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Can You Walk From Woolacombe to Putsborough?

2026-04-20·Woolacombe

Short answer: Yes. At low tide you can walk the full three miles of sand from Woolacombe to Putsborough and back — about two hours at a steady pace. Check the tide first, because the sand narrows at the Putsborough end as the water comes in.

The short answer

Yes, and it is one of the best walks in north Devon. Woolacombe Sands runs three miles south to Putsborough, and at low tide it is flat, firm and continuous the whole way.

How long it takes

Allow around two hours there and back at a steady pace, longer if you stop. It is flat the entire way, which makes it far less effort than the distance suggests — though three miles of soft sand at the top of the beach is harder work than firm wet sand near the water.

Check the tide

This is the one thing to get right. The beach is at its widest and easiest a couple of hours either side of low water. As the tide comes in the sand narrows, particularly towards the Putsborough end, and you do not want to be walking back against it.

The alternative route

The coast path runs above the beach along Woolacombe Down, which gives you the view down onto the whole bay and avoids the tide question entirely. It is not flat, but it is a proper path.

At the Putsborough end

Putsborough has its own car park and is considerably quieter than Woolacombe. Some people walk one way and get a lift back — worth considering with children.

With a dog

In winter the whole beach is open to dogs and this walk is superb. In summer, check the zoning signs — the central section is restricted.

What to take

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