Our Parks

Westward Ho! Sea Pool

WESTWARD HO! SEA POOL, DEVON – ONE OF THE 15 OF THE UK’S BEST SALTWATER AND TIDAL POOLS

Sheltered by the sea wall and smoothed into the rocks below the promenade, Westward Ho!’s tidal pool (free) is a family-friendly haven ideal for paddling, gentle swims and wave-free play. Restored in 2016 after storm damage, it remains a firm local favourite — especially on warm afternoons when the tide is out and the beach wide. The real Devon charm kicks in after your swim: grab a cone from the iconic Hocking’s ice-cream van, usually parked near the slipway,

Lighthouse

Location

Westward Ho! Sea Pool

Address

40 S W Coast Path, Westward Ho!, Bideford EX39 1GZ, UK

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www.visitwestwardho.co.uk

Driving from our parks

Rating

★★★★★4.6

Based on 246 reviews

Info correct at time of publish: January 16, 2026. Always check with location before visiting.

Reviews

Stephanie Hull

4 months ago

This pools amazing when the sea comes in it comes over the top lovely to swim in not too cold about 18 degrees

JMAD

7 months ago

A natural sea water pool.
It was very cold, as expected, when we went back in early May, although the weather was lovely and sunny.
The floor is rocky so rock shoes are a must.
Not very deep, even at the deepest part.
Easy enough to get to if you're able bodied. Have to climb down a set of stairs and then walk along the pipe walk, scramble over a few rocks and you're there.
Free to access. Plenty of paid parking at short walking distance.

Ryan Collins

a year ago

Lovely pool filled with sea water. Nice size, not too deep. Kids love it. Take some floatys and tots or just have a swim. Can be cold but wear a wetsuit and your good to go.
Be careful getting tomit as there is no pathway and it's uneven, sharp jagged rocks which can get slippery when wet.
Perfect for little ones to have a swim.

Andrew Cartwright

2 years ago

The pool gets surprisingly busy, we walked past on multiple occasions and pretty much always someone taking a dip! As it's a tidal pool, it refills on a high tide (in fact on high tide you can't even tell the pool is there!)

Moments Of Outdoors

3 years ago

The sea pool was brilliant to swim in. Much where than the sea and was very easy to get in and out of.
Max depth of 1.2m and a sloped entrance so you can slowly get used to the temperature.
Nice and clean pool and a great view. Easy to get changed at the side of the pool.
@momentsofoutdoors