Croyde Bay
North Devon's best-known surf beach, and one of the few beaches in the district covered by a formal Public Spaces Protection Order rather than a landowner's rules. Dogs are banned outright from the bay for the season and must be on a lead in the dunes behind it; breach carries a fixed penalty of one hundred pounds. Baggy Point and the coast path above stay open.
Croyde and Saunton Down
A bracing 4.5 miles of about two and a half hours, weaving up old lanes to the top of Saunton Down for the three-mile view over Saunton Sands, then round the low cliffs at Down End and back across Croyde Beach, with 250 metres of climbing on narrow stony paths and steps. Start at the National Trust car park above Croyde, which is the only large car park in the village and is emptied of spaces early all summer; the number 21 bus from Barnstaple stops on the main street. The sting is in the tail: Croyde beach is closed to dogs from 1 May to 30 September under the North Devon Council order with a GBP 100 fixed penalty, so in season finish along the lane instead, while Saunton Sands at the far end of the walk stays open to dogs with miles of firm sand.
The Thatch
The surf village's landmark pub, thatched and heaving through August. Dogs are allowed inside but only at designated dog-friendly tables, which have to be booked by phone or email rather than walked into, so ring ahead in season. Useful to know when the beach itself is closed to dogs from May.