North Devon : Putsborough Beach

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Putsborough Beach is a fantastic beach and surfing venue in a lovely secluded location with great scenery and acres of golden sand stretching away to the north. The beach is several kilometres long, being the southern end of the stretch of sand that provides Woolacombe with its beach off to the north. It is however the complete opposite of Woolacombe's buzzing town, having nothing more than a few houses and a campsite. If you are after a quiet location for great waves on a fantastic beach, Putsborough is perfect.

The beach is generally west facing and so the waves here can be exceptional. The headland helps channel the surf up and protects it from the invariably prevailing southerly winds, meaning that Puts can produce high quality waves when the more exposed beaches around it are suffering. This provides the added benefit that the beach becomes a very warm suntrap, even on windy days.

The waves that break up against the headland are high quality, plunging left-handers and can produce some heavy currents and rips, so novices should take care when the swell starts to build. This can assist experienced surfers with their paddle out. Also at high tide all surfers should take care because there are several rocky outcrops that become submerged depending on the tide.

Putsborough Beach is approached via a very long and in places very barrow country lane with isolated passing places that runs out from the back of Croyde village.

Details
Driving Access: Long, winding single lane road, unsuitable for SUVs or caravans
Car Park spaces: 200
Price: Less than £5
Beach facilities: Lifeguards, beach café, toilets in car park
Beach type: Sand
Break type: Beach
Pub: None close by
Sort of wave: Spilling
Peaks: Various shifting peaks
Left/Right: Both
Offshore wind direction: South easterly
Local highlights: The countryside and the Thatch in Croyde
National Trust: No

Ratings
Ability: Novice - Legend
Kids: 1 - Just the beach
Other stuff: 1 - Just the beach
Access: 2 - steep steps down to beach
Urban proximity: 2 - Peace and quiet
Water quality: Good

  Accomodation:

Book local holiday cottage*

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