Woolacombe, North Devon

Woolacombe is one of the best all-round beaches in the South West, a three-mile Blue Flag stretch of clean sand with reliable surf and full resort facilities. The central section carries a seasonal dog restriction, typically running from around Easter or 1 May to the end of September, but dogs are welcome year-round at the northern Combesgate end and towards Putsborough, so with a little planning it works well outside those roped-off zones. That mix of amenities, swimming, surf lessons and dog access in one place is unusual, which is why families with dogs rate it highly, provided you know which end to head for in summer.