Real, curated ideas for Croyde's surf beach, the Baggy Point walk, dog-friendly spots and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Croyde is a surf village first and a beach village second, and the difference matters. The bay is small, sheltered between two headlands, and it produces the most reliable waves in north Devon — which is why the village is full of surf shops, board hire and wetsuit racks rather than deckchairs and windbreaks.
It is also tiny. One thatched street of pubs and cafés does the whole job, and on a hot Saturday in August that street and its car parks are overwhelmed. The lanes in are narrow, the parking is paid and finite, and arriving late is genuinely the difference between a good day and a frustrating one.
What lifts Croyde above being just a good beach is what sits either side of it. Baggy Point, the National Trust headland to the north, is one of the best short coastal walks in Devon, with Lundy visible on a clear day. Saunton Sands to the south is three miles of open sand that never feels crowded and allows dogs all year. Between the three you have a full day without moving the car much.
Listings last checked: September 2026
A compact, soft-sand bay between two headlands with the most consistent surf in north Devon — lifeguards in season, surf schools and board hire on the sand, and rock pools at one end. The tide goes a long way out, which doubles the beach. Dogs are restricted in summer but the dune paths stay open.
Three miles of open sand south of Croyde, backed by the Braunton Burrows dunes, and dog-friendly all year — which makes it the answer when Croyde's summer dog rules rule you out. Contactless parking, a beach kiosk, surf shop and a restaurant above. The car park fills and closes on bank holidays, so arrive before ten.
The southern end of the Woolacombe sands, reached through the lanes north of Croyde. Firm sand, good rock pooling at the cliff end, a café and shop, and its own car park. No lifeguards, and the lanes down are single-track and tight.
The headland walk out of Croyde and the best short coastal route in the area — a full loop is about two and a half miles and works fine with children from around seven. There is a lower, flatter inland path for anyone who does not want the cliff edge. Lundy is visible on a clear day.
The protected coast and countryside Croyde sits inside — the dunes, the headlands and the network of paths linking them. Useful as a starting point if you want a walk rather than a beach: there is a visitor centre, and the lanes between the good bits are famously narrow.
Victorian castle turned family attraction up past Ilfracombe — walk-through castle rooms, a gnome village, water gardens, a maze and a toboggan run. Aimed at under-tens and very good at it. About forty minutes from Croyde, so it is a full day rather than an afternoon.
Small harbourside aquarium laid out as a journey from moorland stream to open sea, all species native to Britain. Under an hour to walk round, and the staff are what make it. The obvious wet-afternoon drive when Croyde has nothing indoors left to offer.
North Devon's standard bad-weather insurance, down past Bideford — indoor play, animal shows, a rollercoaster and lambing in spring. Check the opening days first: it runs a reduced timetable outside school holidays and closes some weekdays.
Café above the bay with a proper view, generous all-day breakfasts and good coffee, and a sauna and cold plunge next door that people book after surfing. Dog-friendly. The natural stop at the end of the Baggy Point walk.
Clifftop café and bar at Downend with the best sunset seat in Croyde, doing coffee and crab sandwiches by day and Sri Lankan curries on curry nights. It also has an actual bar, which most beach cafés do not. Later opening Thursday to Saturday.
Croyde's long-running restaurant — twenty-five years of local seafood, mussels done with cider, and a strong vegan and gluten-free menu rather than a token one. Relaxed enough to walk into after surfing, good enough to book for the evening.
The thatched pub that is effectively the centre of Croyde — a warren of small rooms, live music, big portions and a good beer and cider list. The best bet in the village with children, and the Sunday roast is the thing to order. Busy: book at weekends.
Village pub with a large sun-trap garden at the back, handmade pizzas and beer and cider on tap. Portions are big enough that the prices make sense once the food arrives. Shares its terrace with the place next door, so there is usually a table somewhere.
Traditional inn at the top of the village known for its Sunday carvery — several joints, plenty of veg, vegan options included. Dogs welcome, but book ahead if you are bringing one, as the dog-friendly tables are limited.
Rooftop bar and pizza place in the middle of the village, ordering by QR code, cocktails and cider, and a terrace that catches the evening sun. Newer and smaller than the other three, and the highest rated of them — though from far fewer reviews.