The UK is home to hundreds of beautiful beaches, but there is one which has been described as “taking the cake”. Woolacombe Beach in Devon has been applauded as one of the gems of the county, with plenty of space and lots of nice walks.

Located on the north Devon coast, the award-winning beach is known for its wide sandy stretch overlooked by rugged cliffs and expansive sand dunes. It’s also a popular hotspot for surfers and water sports enthusiasts thanks to its regular waves.

In 2020, the beach was crowned as one of the best beaches in the world, beating beaches in Australia, Italy and Greece. Woolacombe was also awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2023.

The beach was named by Britons who shared their favourite beach in a UK Reddit forum. One anonymous Briton described it as their “happy place”.

They said: “Woolacombe Beach, and the village in general, is genuinely one of my happy places. Devon is already an extraordinarily beautiful part of the country but Woolacombe takes the cake, especially at sunset.

“[It]Has enough amenities that you won’t be left wanting but is large enough that you can walk off and be by yourselves.”

A second Briton also recommended spending a day at the beach, explaining: “[The] beach is nice and there are some nice walks.

“If you want some variety stop off on the way at Lynton walk down the hill to Lynmouth and then walk along the river to Watersmeet for cake at the National Trust place there.”

The beach has also received hundreds of positive reviews on Tripadvisor, with one visitor describing it as “one of the most beautiful sites on this Earth”.

For those hoping to spend a day at Woolacombe, there are plenty of amenities to enjoy, including parking, a lifeguard service in the high season, first aid, along with food and retail outlets.

With the South West Coast Path journeying past the beach, there are plenty of walks nearby promising some breathtaking views of the Devon coastline.

The lively village of Woolacombe lies at the northern end of the beach, home to a selection of local pubs, restaurants and places to stay for those planning a seaside holiday.