Barricane Beach

Barricane is the small cove past the rocks at the end of Woolacombe’s main beach, and it is a place for shells and rock pools. The draw is the shells that wash in with the tide, and the rock pools that open up at low water. It is a short walk from Woolacombe.

Shells and rock pools

Barricane is known for the tiny shells that wash into the inlet, in many shapes and colours. At low tide there is golden sand and a good spread of rock pools to explore. You cannot reach the beach at high tide, when the whole area becomes a large natural pool, so check tide times before you set off.

Swimming

There is no lifeguard service at Barricane, so take extra care before entering the water. For patrolled water, head to the main beach. Woolacombe Beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards in season, and the RNLI’s Woolacombe page lists the dates.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted from October to April and on a lead from May to September. The beach belongs to Parkin Estates, which sets that rule outside the council’s Public Spaces Protection Order. In short, keep dogs on leads in the summer.

Cafe, toilets and parking

The little beach cafe is in place from around Easter to early September. It serves ice-creams, hot and cold drinks and lunches by day and Sri Lankan curries in the evening, weather permitting. At the end of summer it is craned away for the winter.

Barricane has no toilets of its own. The nearest are by the main beach car park or above Combesgate Beach, a five-minute walk in either direction. If you park in the main beach car park, the cove is a few minutes’ stroll from there.