It’s one of the region’s most popular resorts
The beach is well looked after (Image: Abigail Neep)
Locals have shared what it’s like to live and work in one of the South West’s most popular seaside resorts. Woolacombe in North Devon has once again been named among the UK’s best beaches, but tourists only get to see one side during the summer months.
The Times included the destination in its latest list of 50 best beaches and although it missed out on the top spot this time, it said Woolacombe is “still capable of taking the crown any time they like”.
Devon Live reporter Abigail Neep took a trip to see why people love it there so much, chatting to both tourists and locals. She said the view was “breathtaking” as she arrived in the village, parking at a £12-a-day car park right by the beach.
She observed: “The single road through the village gives that European ‘vibe’. In the summer, Woolacombe feels like you’re in Spain at a beach resort, though come winter time, it can be extremely quiet.”
The three-mile stretch of golden sand is split into two – one side allowing dogs, and the other where dogs are banned. Despite its popularity, one tourist told Abigail: “There’s so much room on the beach and so there’s space to sit. It’s not overwhelming.”
Woolacombe is known for its waves and attracts many surfers, which is a theme of many of the nearby businesses. Paul and Teddy run a food kiosk right on the beach called The Surf Takeaway. Teddy said Parkin Estates, which looks after the beach, keeps it looking “immaculate”.
The Surf Takeaway is a mobile caterer on Woolacombe Beach(Image: Abigail Neep)
However, like many seaside resorts, the place looks very different when the sun disappears. Will, who works at Steve’s Surf Hire on the beach, told Devon Live: “It’s not nice when it’s raining, no-one comes down except dog walkers who come and have a look but then they just go.”
He said the resort’s popularity was pushing prices up and as a result, he doesn’t think people are sticking around. He explained: “Everything is expensive in Woolacombe, people aren’t down for as long as they normally would be.
“A lot of people are moving out of Woolacombe, rich people move here, live here for a month and then rent their place out to holiday makers.”
Louise, working at the same shop, agreed: “People stay for three or four days instead of for the whole week… Most of it is holiday homes, it affects the community spirit here because no one knows anybody.”
She said in the winter, by contrast, Woolacombe is a “ghost town” when all the holidaymakers have gone. She said that’s not necessarily a negative, adding: “Locals make use of that, to come in the winter because there’s nobody here.”
The Times said in its ‘best beaches’ entry for Woolacombe: “The privately owned beach is the same three-mile stretch of flawless sand, raked early every morning at the village end. The surf is still as gentle as an ageing labrador, they still sell cappuccino and croissants from a stand on the sand, and Stacey and Sumith Kankanamge still serve Sri Lankan curries at the Barricane Beach Café every night from 5pm-7pm for a takeaway on the sands.”
It also referenced the redesign and expansion of the Beachcomber Café, which is not due to reopen until February 2026. However, the much-loved cafe is advertising a pop-up kiosk at certain times during the summer.
If you’re looking for a quieter spot just along the coast, read Bristol Live’s guide to the breathtaking seaside village that overlooks Woolacombe.