Exmoor's Best Beaches

Porlock Beach

Porlock Beach is mostly a pebble beach, home to the shingle ridge protecting the Porlock marsh that sits behind it. The beach is roughly 1.5 miles west of Porlock and has a number of walking paths that cross this coastal location as well as popular pubs and cafes nearby for refreshments. During winter, when the swell is right, you may find people surfer here or during calmer days anglers out with the lines. Parking is available in the small village of Porlock Weir, with direct access to the beach. Public toilets can also be found in the car park.

Minehead Beach

Minehead Beach is a large expansive stretch of sandy bay with a range of rock pools, coastal landforms and the manmade headland that defines the coastal location. There are several fantastic cafes and pubs that overlook the beach making this a very popular coastal holiday in Somerset. With views looking out to the Bristol channel and many South West Coastal Paths routes leading off from the beach, there is something for everyone to enjoy whilst on holiday at Minehead.

Lynton and Lynmouth Beach

Lynton and Lynmouth Beach is a combination of rock and sand depending on the tide times. The top of the beach is lined with rocks with a small section of the beach offering sand during the lower tide. Lynmouth is a charming village with a range of pubs, cafes and craft shops so after your sunbathing session on Lynton Beach you can have a walk up the quaint high street and visit the local shops. There is parking for Lynton Beach in the centre of the village where you can easily walk down to the beach.

Dunster Beach

The beach at Dunster is roughly 1.3 miles from Dunster, you can walk, cycle or drive down to the beach. This is a quieter beach compared to other beaches on Exmoor as there are no shops or pubs lining the beach, therefore you can sit back and enjoy your own section of the beach. There is a seasonal cafe open from March if you are feeling peckish and fancy picking up a snack. A lovely beach walk is the perfect way to make the most of your holiday in Dunster with the family before returning to the form of your holiday home.

Woody Bay

Woody Bay is a hidden gem, located at the foot of the cliff face in Woody Bay. The walk down to the beach is a zip zag path through the woodland path that leads you down to the rocking beach. There are a few flat rock slabs that can be used to balance on whilst you change as there are no changing facilities or toilets by the water. The clear water and gentle waves are perfect for swimming and paddling, there are no lifeguards so be safe whilst bathing.

Bossington Beach 

One of the biggest beaches in Somerset, Bossington Beach is a vast expanse of pebbles with the ocean to one side and farmland to the other. The rocking bank protects the farmland when the Bristol Chanel rises, filtering water through the shingle into the stream that connected with the village. The current here is very strong so be careful if you wish to swim as there are no lifeguards on this beach. The nearest town to Bossington Beach is Minehead (5 miles away) or Porlock if you’re looking for a quaint village after your beach walk.