Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Woolacombe beach

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available South West Coast Path SSSI Dog friendly RNLI lifeguard cover 5-21 April, 26-27 April, 3 May-28 Sep. Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: summer

Woolacombe is one of North Devon’s most beautiful beaches, popular with families and surfers alike.  The beach runs south from the town for about two miles.  Cafes and shops are to hand and access is straightforward, either down one of the two paths or over the dunes to the beach. This is a fine place for a long stroll by the water. There is plenty of parking, so you can be on the sand in no time.  With a convenient town at the north end of the beach, you can have the best of both worlds.

What the beach means to Mark.

A view from behind the beach at Woolacombe.

Saunton Sands

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available South West Coast Path SSSI Dog friendly Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: summer

Saunton Sands is a west facing surfing beach, located just below Croyde and almost three miles in length.  It’s in a stunning location, with the Braunton Burrows reserve immediately behind the beach.  There are toilets and parking to hand, excellent coastal walks and attractive villages nearby.  Care is needed when swimming, due to rip tides and a lack of lifeguards.  This beach has an unspoilt atmosphere.  Highly recommended.

What the beach means to Stuart.

By the dunes at the beach.

Achnahaird beach

View map of beach Parking available Scottish Coastal Path Dog friendly

Season: summer

Achnahaird beach sits in an isolated spot on its own promontory below the main Assynt peninsula in Sutherland.  On approach, there is the feel of a North Cornwall beach, with two long headlands that shelter the long, deep expanse of sand.  On this occasion, the tide was out, emphasising this geographical feature.  Closer to the beach, evidence of erosion by the sea featured in the sculpted stones and rocks by the shore.  The atmosphere is wild and elemental, with Stac Pollaidh and its fellow hills to the north and dunes at the very back of the beach.

The variety on offer at the beach for Phil.

A view from above Achnahaird beach.

Season: summer

The beach at Achnahaird faces north west and is sheltered from the prevailing winds.  The sand is white, washed regularly by a strong tide, but it’s safe to bathe here.  This part of the Highlands is isolated and exquisitely beautiful, with some of the most stunning beaches in these islands. The beach is approached via a short walk through hillocks that lie behind the sandy beach and its rock pools.  Time stands still here, ultimately relaxing, rebalancing and energising.  Highly recommended.

What this and other beaches mean to Paul and Lucy.

A distant view of the beach from the headland on a stormy day.

A closer view from beside the beach.