Putsborough Sands

Putsborough Sands forms the southern end of the three-mile Woolacombe beach system, sheltered from the dominant south-westerly winds by the headland of Baggy Point in a way that the northern sections are not. The result is a beach that can offer calmer conditions than Woolacombe when the wind is up, and a different character: quieter, slightly more sheltered, and with a surf school and a well-regarded beach cafe serving home-cooked food year round. The access is good, via a long sloping path from the car park that makes it manageable for most people, and the facilities at the car park are clean and modern. At very low tides a shipwreck is visible at the base of Baggy Point on the northern side of the headland.

Putsborough operates a zoned dog access system. The right side of the beach, heading north towards Baggy Point (Zone C), is year-round dog friendly. The left side (Zone A, south of the steps) operates a seasonal restriction from Easter to 1 November, which is a longer summer ban than most Devon beaches. Dog owners should head to the right on arrival and check the signs on the beach to confirm the current zone boundaries. The beach shop and cafe are year-round operations, making this a practical destination in the winter months when the cafe at a quiet beach with a dog is exactly what is needed.