Real, curated ideas for Exmouth's two miles of sand, the Jurassic Coast start, the marina and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Exmouth has the best beach of any town this size in Devon — two miles of flat sand with a long promenade behind it, backed by a town rather than a village. It is also the official start of the Jurassic Coast, and the red cliffs at Orcombe Point at the eastern end are the oldest rocks on the whole World Heritage stretch.
The estuary is the catch. Where the Exe meets the sea at the western end, the currents run hard and swimming is genuinely unsafe there. Stick to the lifeguarded middle section and the day is straightforward. Dogs are banned from the main beach from May to September, though the far end near Orcombe stays open.
The marina end has been redeveloped and is where the better eating is now. It is also where the water taxi to the floating restaurant in the estuary leaves from — the most memorable meal available anywhere on this coast, and the one thing here you should book weeks ahead.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Two miles of flat sand with a long level promenade behind it and lifeguards in season — the most straightforwardly good family beach in east Devon. Swimming is unsafe near the estuary mouth where the currents run fast. Dogs banned on the main stretch May to September. Parking is plentiful but pricey.
The eastern end of the beach and the official start of the Jurassic Coast, marked by the Geoneedle. A zigzag climb from the sand gets you onto the clifftop path and views people compare to southern France. This is the end where dogs are allowed year-round.
A blue-flag beach east of town, cleaned daily and rarely crowded, with a beach bar, shop and restaurant terrace. Access runs through the holiday park, which catches people out — the bus that stops nearby is the simplest way in. Dog ban from 1 May to 30 September.
A genuinely strange sixteen-sided house on the hill above Exmouth, built by two cousins in the 1790s and filled with a shell-encrusted gallery and their collections. Volunteers here are excellent. Orchard picnic benches, a cabin serving light bites rather than a full café. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
A full day out for young families — a deer train ride, falconry displays, ferret racing, goat walking, animal handling and a large indoor museum. The museum and indoor sections make it work in poor weather. Easily five or six hours.
An open sandy common behind the seafront, a former golf links, so it never gets muddy and works all year for walking and picnics. Fenced children's play area and seasonal public toilets. The easiest flat green space in Exmouth with a dog.
A floating restaurant moored out in the estuary, reached by its own water taxi, with 360-degree views and seafood platters that live up to the setting. The best meal in Exmouth and the most memorable on this coast. Book well ahead; vegetarian options are the weak spot. Closed Mondays.
Marina-side café and restaurant open from 8.30, with a fisherman's brunch worth ordering, proper gluten-free provision and a dog station with blankets and treats. Wheelchair accessible and used to large groups. Skip the cocktails.
Big seafront pub with a large beer garden, window tables facing the prom, seafood platters and pies. Emphatically dog friendly — water bowls everywhere and a dedicated dog hydration keg outside. The dependable family choice on the Esplanade.
An independent pub near the marina that still feels like a pub rather than a chain — prawn linguine, lamb shank, well-regarded fish and chips, and staff who know the menu. Cheaper and better than the bigger seafront places.
Handsomely decorated bar right on the Esplanade with a front beer garden and the best position in Exmouth. Food is the weak point and reviews are mixed — treat it as somewhere to drink and watch the beach, and eat along the front.