Hartland Quay

Hartland Quay is a beach for exploring rather than a lie-on-the-sand day. A former harbour on a stretch of coast that gets some of the roughest seas in winter, it has a pebble and rock shore with patches of sand, rock pools, and cliffs of alternating sandstone and mudstone that bring geologists from around the world. It suits walkers and curious families more than anyone who wants a towel-and-windbreak day. The beach is reached from the Hartland Quay Hotel, and the nearest village base is Hartland.

Getting onto the beach

You reach the beach by a slipway from the quay. The slipway is too steep for wheelchair access. Watch the tide times so you are not cut off on the beach at high tide, and heed the warning signs for dangerous cliffs.

Swimming and lifeguards

There is no lifeguard service here. Swimmers, kayakers and body boarders use the water at high tide in calm weather, with the slipway giving a sheltered swimming area. The quay experiences some of the roughest seas in winter, so treat any swim as a calm-day, high-tide decision and leave it if the sea is rough.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on the beach from 1 November to 31 March. From 1 April to 31 October they are not allowed, because the water quality is monitored for bathers. The winter rule makes this a better beach for a dog on an autumn or winter cottage break than a summer one.

Parking and facilities

The Hartland Quay Hotel runs three car parks at £4 per day from Easter until October half term, with free parking for hotel residents. Overnight camping and sleeping in vehicles are not allowed. Public toilets are available. The Wreckers Retreat bar, in the old stables, serves ales and food, and the shop is open daily from 11am between Easter and October half term. The small museum is open seasonally in the same period, from 11am to 4pm.

Walking

Hartland Quay sits directly on the South West Coast Path. A circular walk leads north to Hartland Point, and the coast here is known for its shipwrecks.