Combe Martin, North Devon: Beaches, Paddle Boarding & Coastal Days

There’s something about Combe Martin that makes you want to slow down.

Tucked away on the North Devon coast, with its sheltered bay, surrounding cliffs and little coves, it feels like the sort of place where you can spend a few days without needing a long list of things to do. You can wander down to the beach, find somewhere good to eat, get out on the water and simply enjoy being by the sea.

We spent a few days in Combe Martin and it turned into exactly the kind of relaxed coastal break I love.

Exploring Combe Martin

Combe Martin sits between the North Devon coast and Exmoor, so you get a lovely mix of sea and countryside. The village runs down towards the bay, with independent shops, cafés and places to eat along the way.

The main beach is sheltered, with a mixture of sand and shingle depending on the tide. There are rock pools along the shoreline too, and when the tide is out, you can really appreciate how much coastline there is to explore.

For me, though, one of the best things about staying here was simply having the coast right on the doorstep.

Coffee and cake with a view

One of the places we visited during our stay was Bobbie’s Bakes.

Perched above the beach, it was the perfect place to stop for something to eat and take in the views across Combe Martin Bay. It has that lovely small, independent café feeling that makes a holiday feel a little more special.

We sat looking out towards the coast, enjoying the view and taking a break from exploring.

It’s these little moments that I often remember most from a trip. Sitting somewhere with a coffee, watching people come and go and having nowhere in particular that you need to be.

Paddle boarding around the coast

Of course, being beside the sea meant we couldn’t resist getting out on the water.

Combe Martin Bay is sheltered and is a popular spot for paddle boarding and kayaking. (Visit Combe Martin)

We spent some time paddle boarding along the coast, exploring the quieter sections of the bay and looking back towards the cliffs from the water.

There’s something completely different about seeing the coastline from a paddle board. The beaches and cliffs that look familiar from land suddenly feel much more dramatic when you’re floating below them.

There are also smaller coves and little stretches of coastline around the area, which made exploring by water even more enjoyable.

It was one of those days where being outside, surrounded by sea and sunshine, was really all we needed.

Little beaches and hidden coves

One of the things I loved about this part of North Devon was discovering the smaller beaches and coves.

Combe Martin itself has a beautiful sheltered setting, while nearby Newberry Beach offers another quieter stretch of coastline. At low tide, the beaches around the bay can also feel much more connected, opening up more space to explore.

There are plenty of opportunities to stop for a wander, find a quiet spot and just sit looking out to sea.

If you enjoy taking photographs, it’s also the sort of coastline where you can keep finding something different to point your camera at, from boats and cliffs to rock pools, beach huts, reflections and changing skies.

Fish and chips by the coast

No few days beside the Devon coast would feel complete without fish and chips.

There’s something about eating fish and chips after a day on the water that just feels right. No fancy plans or rushing around, just good food after a day spent outdoors.

A slower side of North Devon

What I enjoyed most about Combe Martin wasn’t one particular attraction. It was the pace of the place.

A morning by the beach, a coffee and cake with a view, a paddle out across the bay, an afternoon exploring the coastline and fish and chips in the evening all made for the kind of relaxed days I enjoy most.

Combe Martin is also a great base if you want to explore more of North Devon and Exmoor. The South West Coast Path passes through the area, while the surrounding coastline offers plenty of opportunities for walking and discovering more of the dramatic scenery.

The coastline, the little coves, the boats, the cliffs and the changing light all gave me plenty to photograph. Some of those photographs eventually become prints for Poster Wall, which is one of my favourite parts of travelling. Finding a view that makes you stop and want to capture it is something I never seem to get tired of.