Westward Ho! was named after Charles Kinsley’s novel Westward Ho!, which he wrote while staying in Bideford in the 1800s , i t should also be highlighted that this is the only place name in England that contains an exclamation mark.

It has three miles of sandy beachknown as the Golden Bay, and is famous for its Pebble Ridge, which lies between the beach and Northam Burrows Country Park.

Tourist Tip: - See if you can find the swimming pool that’s been cut out of the rocks next to Westward Ho! Beach.

The sandy beach at Westward Ho! in North Devon extends for over two miles and there is also a pebble ridge, behind which is the Northam Burrows Country Park.

It has good facilities, including cafe, toilets, deckchair hire, first aid, lifeguards and lost child centre.

There is access for people with disabilities and a pay car park which also has disabled parking spaces.

The beach at the height over summer
One of the most eye catching parts of the beach are the rows of traditional beach huts.

It's an ideal beach for families.  Access is fairly easy down a concrete ramp from the village of Westward Ho!

A dog exercise area is also provided with restrictions in the Blue Flag area.

How to get there: From the A39 at Bideford take the A386 to Westward Ho! Then the B3236, also signposted to Westward Ho! Bus service no 1 from Barnstaple and Bideford goes to Westward Ho! seafront.