Barricane Beach

Barricane Beach is a small sandy bay half a mile south of the main Woolacombe beach, famous for the cowrie shells and other exotic shells that wash onto its sand from the Gulf Stream via the Caribbean. The shells give the beach an unusual quality: crouching down at the waterline and sifting through the sand produces a miniature treasure hunt that appeals equally to children and adults. Rock pools on either side of the cove provide the usual intertidal interest at low tide. The beach is entirely inaccessible at high tide when the sea covers everything, so visiting at low water is essential. The beach cafe, operating on the sand from spring through to early autumn, serves curries and is unlicensed: bringing your own wine is encouraged, and eating on the beach as the sun goes down is a well-established local ritual.

Dogs are allowed at Barricane year round but must be kept on leads when the beach cafe is in situ, generally from around March to September. Check the signs at the top of the steep descent on arrival. Outside the cafe season, dogs are free to be off lead and the beach provides excellent sniffing territory with its shell and seaweed-rich tide line. Street parking is available along The Esplanade in Woolacombe; there is no dedicated car park for Barricane. The descent to the beach is steep with steps and ramps and requires a reasonable level of fitness. The beach disappears completely at high tide, so timing the visit around low water is not optional.