Instow
West-facing, Instow Sands is a popular family beach situated at the confluence of the Torridge and Taw rivers in North Devon.
Backed by the village in the south, Instow looks across the River Torridge to Appledore and across the Taw to Crow Point. To the north, near the cricket ground, the sandy beach gets more muddy in character and is backed by low dunes.
Gently sloping, Instow is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike and its proximity to the towns of Bideford and Barnstaple means that the beach is rarely deserted.
Parking is available behind the beach but the limited spaces fill up quickly so arrive early to ensure your space.
Instow Sands offers a range of places to eat and drink and is popular with swimmers, windsurfers and the sailing fraternity.
Nearby places of interest include Tapeley Park and the Tarka Trail along the disused railway line south to Bideford or north and east to Fremington Quay and Barnstaple.
Facilities
✔ Parking
✔ Toilets
✔ Sandy beach
✘ Seasonal dog ban
✔ Cafe, shop or pub
✔ Telephone
✔ Watersports
OS Explorer Map 139: Bideford, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple
This map is part of the Ordnance Survey's Explorer series designed to replace the old Pathfinder map series. At 1:25,000 scale this detailed map shows a host of attractions including gardens which are open to the public, nature reserves and country parks as well as all official footpaths, bridleways, roads and lanes. Other facilities covered include: camping and caravan sites, picnic areas and viewpoints, selected places of interest, rights of way information for England and Wales, National Trail and Recreational Path routes, and selected tourist information. The series is aimed mainly at the experienced map user but can be used by tourists and locals alike.
Local area
Holiday Parks
Stay at a nearby Holiday Park and keep the kids amused all day! Parks in the vicinity include those at:
Westward Ho!
Hotels
Plenty of hotels are available locally. Consider those in the local towns:
Westward Ho!
Caravans
In the vicinity is a choice of camping and caravan sites offering high quality, affordable holiday accommodation. Consider camps in Braunton, Bideford, Ilfracombe and Torrington.
