Beautiful Devon beaches have been named among the UK and South West's best in a prestigious guide. They were highlighted in the latest Times and Sunday Times Best UK Beaches guide - said to be the "definitive and most comprehensive list of the UK's 50 best beaches". For its 16th annual beach guide, the publisher assessed beaches across the UK using an 11-point checklist.
It looked at criteria including water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness. The Towans in Hayle, Cornwall was named best in the UK overall but when it came to the South West, Devon beaches dominated. Devon beaches took up six spots in the regional best ten, with Cornwall having four.
Read more: Devon high street set for thrilling transformation The Devon beaches were Woolacombe, Mothecombe, Soar Mill Cove, Mattiscombe Sands, Budleigh Salterton and Branscombe. Times chief travel writer Chris Haslam, who personally visited and inspected all 50 beaches included in the guide in the past eight weeks, said: "My Jack Russell, Dave T Dog, and I have journeyed 5,583 miles and explored 543 beaches. The 50 beaches that made our list are graced with outstanding natural beauty, superb infrastructure, and a clear sense of pride from those who live, work, and play there.
"I’m still in awe of the beauty of the UK coast. From Kynance to Caithness, and Brancaster to Benone, the beaches of Great Britain and Northern Irela.
