Beachside Places to Stay in Devon

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Where the beach stays are

There are 716 places to stay with beach access published on BritStays in Devon, and they aren't evenly spread. Torquay has by far the most. It appears under two labels in our listings, with 77 and 71 stays, which makes 148 in all. Paignton comes next with 96 across its two labels (53 and 43). Brixham has 62 and Salcombe has 52. Ilfracombe (33) and Woolacombe and Croyde (32) have smaller selections. You'll also find stays in Dawlish, Exmouth, Sidmouth and Westward Ho!.

If you want plenty of choice, or you're booking for set dates, Torquay and Paignton are the easiest places to start. If you've set your heart on somewhere with fewer listings, such as Woolacombe and Croyde, be flexible with your dates or book earlier. When there are only a few dozen options, there's less to fall back on if your first choice is taken.

Which kind of stay suits your trip

Cottages make up most of this set: 478 of the 716. Hotels account for 175. There are also 26 caravanning options, 26 camping options and 11 holiday parks. Here's how the example stays line up for different kinds of trip:

Families: Paignton has a cluster of self-catering stays. Shells Shore and Seagulls Rest each sleep 5. Turtle Beach, Starfish Shack and Crabby Cove each sleep 4. All five list a bus stop, a train station and EV charging nearby. Paignton Zoo is also in Paignton, which makes for an easy day out with children.
Larger groups: Deepend in Dawlish sleeps 7, the largest of the example stays. Most examples sleep 4 or 5, so if you need more beds, start looking early.
Couples: Wow Holidays - The Honeymoon Suite in Woolacombe and Croyde sleeps 2. The Pig on the Hill - Saddleback and The Pig on the Hill - Cumberland, both in Westward Ho!, sleep 4 each, so they'd also suit two couples. If you'd rather not cook, Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth lists a swimming pool, hot tub and gym. Torbay Court Hotel in Paignton has a bar, restaurant and WiFi.
Dog owners: The facility data for these stays doesn't record pet policies. Check each listing carefully and ask the owner before you book.

Every stay on this page has beach access, so this is a coastal set. If you'd like countryside as well, Dartmoor National Park is among the region's landmarks. Check the travel time from your chosen base before planning a day there.

Getting there and getting around

Transport is where these listings stand out. EV charging nearby is recorded for 501 stays, a bus stop for 346 and a train station for 308. Car-free holidays look very possible here. In Paignton, Russell Hotel and Sealawn Hotel both list a nearby train station, as does Jubilee Cottage in Dawlish, which is also near a bus stop.

Some facilities are recorded far less often. Parking is listed for 55 stays, WiFi for 71 and disabled access for 43. That doesn't necessarily mean the others lack them. It may simply not be recorded. If any of these matter to you, confirm before you pay. For accessibility in particular, ask about specifics such as steps, door widths and bathrooms rather than relying on a general label.

What to do once you're there

Only 48 listings mention sea views. If waking up to the water matters to you, filter for it rather than assuming beach access means a view. Beyond the beach, the region has plenty for a day off the sand:

Gardens and houses: Coleton Fishacre, Bradley Manor and Overbeck's Museum and Gardens (all National Trust), plus Escot House.
Castles: Dartmouth Castle, Tiverton Castle and Hemyock Castle.
Museums and wildlife: Paignton Zoo and the Site of Old Torbay Aircraft Museum, both in Paignton, and the Coldharbour Woolen Museum in Sidmouth.
Open country: Dartmoor National Park.

For evenings, 46 stays in this set list a bar on site.

When to book

We don't publish availability or price trends, so it's best to be cautious. School holidays are generally the busiest time at the seaside. The smaller categories have the least slack. With 11 holiday parks and 26 each of camping and caravanning options, a handful of bookings can fill your preferred dates. The same goes for larger houses like Deepend and for the quieter areas with fewer listings.

Before you book, it's worth running through this list:

Confirm parking if you're driving, as it's recorded for only 55 stays.
Ask about dogs directly.
Check WiFi if you need to work.
Check exact bed numbers against your group.
If you're travelling by train or bus, look at the stay's transport details. Over 300 listings record each, so this is an area where you have real choice.

Frequently asked questions

How many beach access stays are there in Devon on BritStays?

There are 716 published. Most are cottages (478), followed by hotels (175), then caravanning (26), camping (26) and holiday parks (11).

Which part of Devon has the most beach access stays?

Torquay has the most, with 148 across two listing labels. Paignton has 96, Brixham 62 and Salcombe 52. Ilfracombe has 33 and Woolacombe and Croyde has 32.

Can I reach a Devon beach stay without a car?

Often, yes. 346 stays list a bus stop nearby and 308 list a train station nearby. Examples include Jubilee Cottage in Dawlish and Russell Hotel and Sealawn Hotel in Paignton.

Are there beach stays in Devon suitable for a larger group?

Deepend in Dawlish sleeps 7, the largest of the example stays. Most examples, such as Shells Shore and Seagulls Rest in Paignton, sleep 4 or 5, so larger groups should book early.

Is there a beach stay in Devon with a pool?

Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth lists a swimming pool, hot tub and gym.

Are these Devon beach stays dog friendly?

The facility data doesn't record pet policies, so check each listing and ask the owner directly before you book.

Places to Stay by the Beach in Devon

Oak Manor

The Penthouse

Cool Cow Camping

Imperial Hotel Exmouth

Meadfoot Cottage

Lyndhurst

Chalet Holidays - Apartment 6

Dawlish Sands

Seaside Stories

Chalet Holidays - Apartment 5

Beverley Park

The Pottery

Apartment 1

Montpellier Apartment

Palm Cottage

Leighwood Cottage

The Cottage Hotel

Woodland Rise

Samphire

11 Ocean Point Penthouse

Norville

1 Middle Manor Cottages

West Park

12 Ocean Point Penthouse

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More around Devon

Where the beach stays are

Which kind of stay suits your trip

Getting there and getting around

What to do once you're there

When to book

Frequently asked questions

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