Grunta Beach

A small shell-strewn cove at the north end of Woolacombe, famous for its evening Sri Lankan curry stall. Dogs are allowed but must be on leads while the cafe is in place, which is usually from March to September; outside that the cove is unrestricted.

A rocky, rock-pooled cove between Woolacombe and Mortehoe, with a reef that surfers use at mid tide. Dogs are excluded from the end of April to the end of September, which is a longer season than most of the Torbay bans and a fortnight earlier than Croyde.

Three miles of west-facing sand, privately owned by Parkin Estates rather than the council, and divided into three lettered zones for dogs. The village end is closed to dogs from the start of April, the middle section is lead-only, and everything from Mill Rock south is unrestricted, which is where to head if you want a run. Restrictions apply between nine in the morning and six in the evening.