Woolacombe Dunes parkrun

There is a bus, no 31, to Woolacombe from Ilfracombe, also calling at Mullacott, Willingcott Lee Cross and Mortehoe, leaving Ilfracombe at 7:45 and arriving in Woolacombe at approx. 8.15, leaving ample time to walk to parkrun. It costs between £3-£6. Please check latest timetables here. There are also many local taxi services.

Head in to the beachside car park or walk the pavement alongside it signposted ‘Marine Drive and Sandy Burrows’ and head left to end of car park, then either walk along beach past Mill Rock {large rock formation} and then head up in to dunes and up on to Marine Drive about a third of the way along or follow up in to dunes and along until you see the new Porthole Café building on Marine Drive.

There are plenty of options for parking in and around Woolacombe: The closest to our start / finish is Marine Drive car park, operated by the National Trust since 1 April 2025. A daily charge will applies all year round. The price will vary according to the time of year, and will be £5 in the Winter, £8 in mid-season, and £10 in peak season. Payments can be made by cash or card at the car park entrance. Prices are reduced after 4pm. National Trust Members will be able to park for free. You can join the National Trust at Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre.

You can become a become a member of the National Trust either by visiting the entry hut at the start of Marine drive, ideally before parkrun day and also at Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre. No overnight parking is permitted. Maximum vehicle length 6m.

The car park is open from 8am-9.30pm (charges end at 6pm, or 7pm in peak season). on The Esplanade. We are open every day from 10am - 4pm (5pm in school holidays). We just need a few details, including name, address, telephone number, date of birth, email address, and bank account details - you can set up either an annual or monthly direct debit. Prices start from £4 per month for a Young Adult, or £8 per month for an individual (over 25). Pop in to the Tourist Information Centre for more details.

Every week we grab a post-parkrun coffee: The Porthole, near the finish. If you would like to join the core team for a chat or to share your experience then do come along and join us. Sometimes our post event venue changes due to seasonal restrictions, please listen carefully at the briefings where we will announce any changes. Please come and join us!

Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at The Porthole, near the finish. If you would like to join the core team for a chat or to share your experience then do come along and join us. Sometimes our post event venue changes due to seasonal restrictions, please listen carefully at the briefings where we will announce any changes - please come and join us!

Woolacombe Dunes parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the event as safe as possible, so participants, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

• Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
• Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm's reach) throughout the event by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice.
• Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
• We invite everyone to consider volunteering at parkrun. Your support helps your parkrun events remain sustainable and free for all in your community, and it’s also a wonderful way to improve your own health and happiness. Please visit the volunteer page for more information.
• Take care near roads and car parks – some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the event, please drive carefully.
• Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
• Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.
• If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
• If you’re watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
• Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when at parkrun events in grassy or wooded areas. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.
• You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. The use of waist harnesses is prohibited. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about parkrunning with dogs.
• The route is mostly on sand and includes dune descent, ascent as well as long stretches on what can be sometimes soft sand. Therefore, it may not be suitable for all types of buggy. Please contact the team in advance for further advice on the course.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Woolacombe Dunes parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners compare results.

parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners see progress and compare results.

For more information, please see our Support page.

All parkrun events are organised by volunteers - email woolacombedunes@parkrun.com to help.

parkrun is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For our full safeguarding processes and policies please see our Safeguarding Hub.

To report a safeguarding concern please email safeguarding@parkrun.com.