Goodrington Sands
Devon
Goodrington Sands is a popular sandy beach in Paignton, divided into North Sands and South Sands with a promenade connecting both and the large Youngs Park behind providing grass, a boating lake and additional space away from the beach. The facilities are extensive for a council-managed beach: cafes, a restaurant, beach shop, deckchair hire, watersports, toilets, and a beach manager in season. Nearby attractions including Quaywest Splashdown Water Park and the Seasure Centre make it a full-day destination for families with children. The sand is firm and the water is generally safe for swimming, with lifeguards on duty and warning flags in operation through the summer.
Goodrington operates a split system for dogs: North Sands is year-round dog friendly with no restrictions, while South Sands (between the southern cliffs and the signs at Middlestone) is closed to dogs from 1 May to 30 September. Dog owners should head to the northern end of the beach, which connects to the promenade and the park behind and gives a reasonable amount of space even when the main beach is busy. Outside the restricted season, both sections are open to dogs. Bus routes 4 and 118 serve the area and there is ample car parking nearby.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- Seasonal Restrictions
- North Sands: year round, no restrictions. South Sands (between cliffs at southern end and signs at Middlestone): no dogs from 1 May to 30 September.
- Beach Type
- Sand, Rock
- Tide Notes
- Sandy beach with safe swimming. Rock pooling at the southern end at low tide. Lifeguards in season.
- Facilities
- Cafes, restaurants, beach shop, toilets, watersports hire, deckchair hire, beach manager in season. Quaywest Splashdown Water Park and Seasure Centre nearby.
- Parking
- Ample parking near Goodrington Sands (charges apply). Bus routes 4 and 118 serve the area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goodrington Sands dog friendly?
Goodrington Sands is partially dog friendly, earning a 6/10 rating. The beach is divided into two sections: North Sands welcomes dogs all year round, while South Sands operates a seasonal ban, so knowing which part to head for makes a real difference to your visit.
Are dogs allowed at Goodrington Sands year round?
It depends on which section of the beach you're using. North Sands is open to dogs throughout the year with no restrictions. South Sands, however, is closed to dogs between 1 May and 30 September , outside of those dates, both sections are accessible.
What should I know before visiting Goodrington Sands with my dog?
Head to the northern end of the beach , North Sands is the dog-friendly section and connects to the promenade and Youngs Park behind, which has grass and a boating lake, giving you extra space if the beach gets busy. During summer, keep well clear of South Sands (between the southern cliffs and the signs at Middlestone), as dogs are not permitted there from May to September. There's ample parking nearby and the beach is served by bus routes 4 and 118, so getting there is straightforward.
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