Fishing at Westward Ho!

BeachDevon🐾 Dogs allowed — with rules★★☆ family

A classic North Atlantic storm beach at the mouth of the Taw/Torridge estuary, famous for surf bass and best fished where the beach meets the estuary channel as the tide floods.

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What you can catch

Species	Season	Method
Bass	May–Oct	Lures or crab/worm bait fished in the surf close in, especially where the beach joins the estuary.
Ray (thornback)	Jun–Sep	Fish bait fished on a simple flowing rig into deeper surf gutters.
Dogfish	Year-round, peaks summer	Fish or squid bait on the bottom, reliable when little else is showing.
Whiting	Nov–Feb	Small fish-baited rigs fished into winter surf.
Flatfish	Apr–Oct	Worm bait fished into the rockpool/estuary margin as the tide floods over Northam Burrows.

Tactics

Don't overcast — bass sit close in the surf. Fish dawn/dusk/after dark, targeting where the beach meets the estuary at Northam Burrows on the flooding tide; watch the tide behind you as it can cut off the sandbar quickly.

Best tide: Flooding tide, especially around the estuary mouth · Best time: Dawn, dusk and after dark

Dogs

Torridge District Council imposes seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 Sept: dogs excluded from the main beach south of Sandymere Bridge, allowed off-lead at the north end between Sandymere and the Taw/Torridge estuary; lead required on the promenade during restricted season. Outside May–Sept, whole beach unrestricted.

Access & parking

Park at Westward Ho! seafront car parks or Northam Burrows Country Park car park at the northern end for estuary-mouth access. Sat-nav: EX39 1XG.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Open sandy beach is easy underfoot, but Atlantic surf, rip risk near the estuary mouth and a fast-covering sandbar mean supervision is essential.

FAQs

Are dogs allowed on Westward Ho! beach in summer?

Only on the northern section between Sandymere Bridge and the estuary — the main beach south is dog-restricted 1 May to 30 September.

Where's the best spot to fish for bass at Westward Ho!?

Where the beach meets the Taw/Torridge estuary at Northam Burrows, fishing the surf close in as the tide floods.

Is Westward Ho! safe for fishing with kids?

The open beach is easy, but stay well clear of the estuary channel on a rising tide, which can cut off sandbanks quickly.

Nearby marks

Ilfracombe Pier · Saunton Sands

Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer

Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.