Woolacombe

Woolacombe is a coastal village and civil parish in North Devon, England. It lies on the Atlantic-facing coast in the county of Devon, near the village of Mortehoe and about six miles north of Ilfracombe. The area is part of the North Devon district and lies within the North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The landscape features rugged cliffs, dunes and the long beach of Woolacombe Beach, which extends for about three miles. The beach is backed by dunes and grassy ridges and is a major draw for outdoor recreation.

Woolacombe Beach is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing and especially surfing, attracting visitors from across the region. Lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer months, and facilities nearby support tourists.

Historically a fishing and farming community, Woolacombe grew as a seaside resort in the 19th and 20th centuries with the expansion of holidaymaking along the Devon coast. Today the village relies largely on tourism, with a range of accommodations, pubs and cafés serving visitors.

Woolacombe is governed as a civil parish within North Devon district and is under the jurisdiction of Devon County Council. It forms part of the coastal landscape protected as part of the North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.