Budleigh Salterton  beach has been named among the 10 best in the South West by The Times and Sunday Times.

Branscombe beach also makes it into the top 10 – they are the only two in east Devon. Woolacombe in north Devon is included, along with Mothecombe, Mattiscombe Sands and Soar Mill Cove, all in south Devon. The other four are in Cornwall, with The Towans in Hayle named as the South West’s Beach of the Year.

The annual The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches guide is published online today (Monday, June 15), listing the top 50 in the UK.

Chris Haslam, chief travel writer at The Times and Sunday Times, has personally visited all the beaches that are included in the guide - along with hundreds of others. They were assessed through an 11-point inspection checklist including water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at toilets and showers, and dog-friendliness.

On Budleigh Salterton he said: "Leave the car in the Lime Kiln car park and follow the prom east towards the mouth of the Otter River to discover a playground of clear water flowing fast from the Blackdown Hills, looping through an estuary of grassy islands and past the teetering, red pinnacle of Otterton Ledge.

"For lunch, walk west to the Longboat Café, which serves crabs and lobsters delivered by its own boat, the Calypso, and specialises in a scallop and bacon roll.

"My Jack Russell, Dave T Dog, and I have journeyed 5,583 miles and explored 543 beaches. The 50 beaches that made our list are graced with outstanding natural beauty, superb infrastructure, and a clear sense of pride from those who live, work, and play there.

"I’m still in awe of the beauty of the UK coast. From Kynance to Caithness, and Brancaster to Benone, the beaches of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the most magnificent on earth.”

The 2024 guide only features beaches which are rated ‘excellent’ for water quality by the national environment agencies.