Plan A Fun Vacation To This Top-Ranked Beach On The UK Coastline

You're never more than 70 miles away from the sea in the U.K., and a day spent making sandcastles, strolling along the prom, and eating fish and chips is still a national institution for many Brits. This proximity to the coastline leaves you facing a dilemma when the famously unpredictable weather brightens up: Just which beach should you hit for a classic trip to the seaside? If you're in striking distance of Southwest England, you could certainly do a lot worse than Woolacombe, one of the absolute best beaches in the U.K.

Located on the northern shore of Devon, Woolacombe Beach has some pretty stiff competition nearby. The county, famous for delicious cream teas and its beautiful national parks, rivals its more rugged Cornish neighbor in the beach department. They range from the sweeping expanses of Saunton Sands and surfer hangouts like Bantham to tucked-away gems like Soar Mill Cove. Top of the heap for thousands of Tripadvisor voters is Woolacombe, who ranked the beach 20th on the planet in the 2020 Traveler's Choice Awards, beating beaches on stunning Greek islands and Australia's coast. 

Woolacombe Beach is around a five-hour drive from London, so you might want to plan a few days in the area. That's not a major hardship, however. With well-maintained sands, gorgeous sea views, and plenty of activities and nearby amenities, Woolacombe Beach has something for just about everyone.

Opening out onto the Atlantic and stretching for three miles, Woolacombe Beach is situated on Devon's north coast, between the picturesque harbor town of Ilfracombe and the charmingly named village of Westward Ho! It has attracted holidaymakers for well over a hundred years, as the nearby village was developed into a seaside resort in the late Victorian era. During World War II, the vast sweep of sand and dunes was used in preparation for the Normandy landings, and nowadays, the beach and village are well-geared towards the invasion of tourists that flock in the thousands each year. It can get busy in the summer, so it's worth considering an off-peak visit if you don't like crowds.

The beach is a haven for sunseekers, paddlers, and surfers, and it has some distinct points of interest worth exploring. To the north end, you have Barricane Bay, a delightfully secluded spot well-known for its rock pools and seashells from as far away as the Caribbean. While the seaside is more commonly associated with fish and chips, nearby Barricane Bay Cafe is famed locally for its Sri Lankan curries.

At the distant other end of Woolacombe Beach is Baggy Point, which forms part of a two-mile circular walk that is popular with birdwatchers and ramblers seeking coastal views. Once you've finished your stroll, Putsborough Beach Cafe is a pleasant spot for a bite to eat and a drink, serving seafood and even a drop of absinthe to warm the cockles!

Woolacombe Beach is a popular destination for surfers of all abilities thanks to the swells coming in from the Atlantic, although it can get a little rough in the winter months. If you don't have your own gear, several surf shops rent out boards and other equipment, and you can book lessons at Woolacombe Surf Center. There are plenty of other adventurous activities available like paddleboarding, kayaking, and coasteering, and you can even take in the stunning coastal scenery from the air with hang gliding flights.

There are other fun things to do in the wider area. You can try your hand at shepherding or watch a falconry display at Borough Farm, sure to be a hit with the kids. Elsewhere, take an underground adventure at Wookey Hole caves, or swim with the resident sea lion at Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park. 

Since it's one of the best beach spots in Southwest England, there are many accommodation options in and around Woolacombe, and the village has several decent places to eat and drink. At the high end, reservations are essential at Noel Corston, a tiny eatery serving creative dishes made with seasonal produce. If you're just craving a traditional bag of fish and chips, Woolacombe Fryer is recommended by locals. Once the sun goes down, The Jube is a smart family gastro pub offering a good range of ales and tasty cocktails that will go down well after a day at the beach.

Given that there are so many wonderful and varied spots along the British coastline, picking the top-ranked beach is no easy task. That's why we placed a lot of weight on the opinions of Tripadvisor voters in the Traveler's Choice Awards to create this article. The winners are announced every year, gathering superb attractions that rank in the top 10% of all listings on the site. In this sense, it represents the preferences and knowledge of a worldwide network of passionate travelers and provides a diverse overview of the best places to visit across the globe.

In the case of Woolacombe Beach making the top 20 in 2020, it shows that Tripadvisor users aren't just focused on palm trees and warm waters of sunnier climes, appreciating its beauty even when the weather leaves something to be desired.