Woody Bay is a beach of rocks and some gravelly sand. North facing and backed by high cliffs, parts of the shore are nearly always in shade (the photos were taken on the summer solstice). A waterfall cascades down the cliffs, and to one side is a harbour wall. A short wall has been built between two rocks on the shore to create a small, deep tidal pool.
Access is a walk down a steep lane from the coastal path. This lane is wide enough for roadside parking.
In the late 19th century, there were plans to develop the bay into an exclusive resort, and the narrow gauge Lynton and Barnstaple railway (part of which now operates as a tourist attraction) has a station for the beach about 1½ miles away (and about 1000 feet above sea level). Note that the lanes leading to Woody Bay are extremely narrow with steep gradients and hairpin bends.
Dogs are allowed at all times.
