Barricane Bay (Woolacombe) (Combesgate Beach)

Barricane is a secluded beach located at the far northern-end of Woolacombe. Often referred to as Combesgate Beach, Barricane gets its name from the range of shells found on its sands. Exotic shells here such as cowries would have started out in the Caribbean and then travelled for thousands of miles in the Gulf Stream across the Atlantic Ocean before finding their way here.

The beach is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is made up of a little sandy bay that is surrounded by beautiful rocky outcrops. It is around half a mile from Woolacombe Beach and is a great spot for a bit of rockpooling.

Barricane Bay is known as a good stop-off point if you are walking along the coastline towards Mortehoe. It is also popular with surfers, given the right conditions and provides a good spot to escape the Woolacombe crowds.

A few things to note include the lack of lifeguards here at any time throughout the year, and the beach can’t be reached at high tide when the whole area becomes a large natural pool.