Some of the beaches in the area…

Bantham - 2.9 miles or 6 minutes drive (South*)

This is a long fine sandy beach, with sand dunes, and an estuary to the right. RNLI lifeguards patrol the waves during the day (apart from in the depths of Winter). Swim between the flags when out. Stay away from swimming or surfing at the far left by the rocks as there is usually a rip current here unless its calm. The large car park is about £11/day pay by card or phone at the entrance cabin and has loos. A great little retro food and drink van serves hot food, coffees, ice creams etc. This beach is a famous place for surfing and body boarding when the surf is up (usually two hours before high tide is but you can check and click here for surfline). There is surf board, body board and wetsuit hire and teachers are on hand should you fancy some coaching. A short walk up the hill to the left along the coastal path leads to other secluded beaches, for instance you can walk to The Beach Cafe at South Milton and then back. From Bantham you look across to Bigbury and Burgh Island - where Agatha Christie murder mysteries have often been filmed.

Bigbury Beach & Burgh Island - 22 mins drive - but when the tide is low you can take the quicker tidal road at Aveton Gifford (South)

This is a life guarded sandy beach with rocky cliffs and a dramatic walk at low tide over to the island via an exposed sand bank. The large car park has a beach kiosk serving food and drinks etc. along with surf shack to hire surf equipment and lessons - like Bantham, this is also a great beach to surf from. There is an imposing sea tractor which takes you to Burgh Island when the tide is high for a small fee. On the island you will find The Pilchard Inn or if you want to treat yourself you can book up for champagne cream teas in the hotel. There is a delightful walk around and up to the old herring look out hut at the top. Great for a sunset then back for a drink in The Pilchard but do ask at the bar for the time of the last tractor crossing back to the mainland.

Leasfoot Beach - 11 Mins drive (South)

Parking is through the golf course car park and into a field. There is a pathway that takes you to the beach. The beach is small and is fabulous for swimming at low tide with soft sand under foot. In high season there is a coffee shack above the beach on the sand dunes. From Leasfoot you can walk right and along the coastal path to Yarmer - a secluded beach which is good for high or mid tide swimming (not for low tide). Both beaches are great for beach BBQs but Leasfoot is the easiest as you’re so close to your car. No facilities.

South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Rock - 13 mins drive (South)

South Milton is a popular Lifeguarded sandy beach with a National Trust car park (free for members) and beach cafe. At low tide has great rock pools and a stream cutting across the beach. The iconic Thurlestone rock stands proudly off shore where you can stand up paddle through its arch. You can hire stand up paddle boards and kayaks in the car park. You could instead walk left (takes you part way around fields before reaching the coastal path) from here to Hope Cove, approx. 1-1.5 miles.

Hope cove - 13 mins drive (South)

Hope Cove has both Inner Hope and Outer Hope beaches which curve around a natural harbour with fishing boats hauled up on the beach. There are loos and there is parking. There are two or three places serving food and drinks here. The Cove Cafe serves good food and has a balcony upstairs so you can sit wrapped in blankets enjoying the sea view.

There is a wonderful walk with an initial invigorating hill climb - Go to the further cove, past the old lifeboat house, past the lifeguard reading room and through in the very cute little thatched cottages up the hill and track right along the cliff top coastal path to an ancient hill fort and curve back down again to Hope Cove.

Or, at the top of the hill after the steep climb, you can turn left through the kissing gate and walk along the coast to Soar Mill Cove - a wild and rugged smugglers cove with a large rock in the small bay. Up the hill to the hotel tea and scones are served.

Soar Mill Cove - 15 mins drive (South)

Park at The Soar Mill Cove Hotel car park and walk down the lane past the hotel and down the hill to the sandy and rocky cove. Good for a swim and a picnic. Admire the free ranging woolly cattle family. Cream teas are served at the hotel.

Salcombe - North sands - 15 mins drive (South)

This is a small but sheltered beach with parking and loos a short walk up the hill. The Winking Prawn Cafe sits back from it. At high tide the beach is much reduced but there is a wall to sit on and you can walk around to South Sands where there is another cafe on a slip way. It is a 1.5 mile walk along a quiet road to Salcombe town centre, from where you can then get a ferry back to South Beach then walk 10 mins back to North Beach if you wish.

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Salcombe - South sands - 15 mins drive (South)

South Sands has limited parking, but it is just a short walk from North Sands. There is a ferry to and from the town centre.

Mill Bay, East Portlemouth - across the water from Salcombe (Drive and catch small ferry boat) (South)

You can catch the ferry from the centre of Salcombe by the pub and go across to is a small but sheltered estuary beach with golden sand. The Ferry Boat is a cosy pub to relax in when you get back. Check the last ferry times before leaving the boat and get to the ferry in good time.

If you drive here (36 mins) there is you can park in the National Trust car park with loos. 

Ayrmer Cove - 20 mins drive (West)

This is a quiet beach with a stream for dam building. There are no facilities at the beach but it is great for escaping the crowds. Park in the National Trust car park in Ringmore - it is about a 15-20 minute walk down to the beach. Book in to eat at The Journey’s End for great food or for a generous Sunday Lunch with a good vegetarian option.

Challaborough Beach - 17 min drive (West)

Challaborough itself is predominantly a caravan park, so during the holidays the beach can be very busy, but it has a good beach, which has a lifeguard during the peak season. Out of school holidays it can be nice and quiet. There are loos and a café serving fish and chips etc. You can walk here from Bigbury along the coast and go beyond which is a delightful coastal walk.

Wonwell Beach - 18 mins drive (West)

This is a sheltered, estuary beach with sand. The parking is limited on a narrow lane with a turning circle at the bottom. Please check tide times before going: the beach is very small at high tide. It is quite sheltered if it is a windy day and good for a beach BBQ.​

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Mothercombe  Beach - 29 mins drive (West)

This is a beautiful little beach, very clean and well kept. It is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and there is a large field car park with a cafe called The School House. It is a pleasant 10-minute walk down the path to the beach.

​Blackpool Sands - 28 mins drive (West)

This has a car park, restaurant/cafe and a beach shop, plus it has loos. It also features a barrel wood-fired sauna on the beach bookable in advance where you walk along the board walk to cool off in the sea or with the fresh water shower. Personally, though they say it is for six, I think this is best just for two people so you can sprawl and gaze out at the sea.

Landcombe Cove (locally aka Valley Beach) - 30 mins drive (West)

This beach is between Strete and Blackpool Sands. It can only be accessed from the coastal path. You can park in Strete, in a lay-by which has space for only a few cars. The descent is down a very steep slippery grassy slope, so not for the faint-hearted or unfit! However, locals brave the slither on the bottom clamber down to the shingle beach with crystal clear waters.

*Compass points are to give a rough idea of which way along the coast the places are.

Please take care when going out in the water. Treat the sea as the wild place it is. Check the tides and the weather. If you are at a beach that has life guards and if they have put flags out, abide by these, but its always a good idea to have a chat with them first to see if there is anything you need to know or look out for. Make sure someone knows where you are going. If you see someone in danger please call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Most jelly fish are generally harmless and only sting like nettles or a wasp’s sting, but the Portuguese Man of War ( though it looks related is not a jelly fish but a colony and called a siphonophore. It is recognisable by its blue float or air sac with long trailing streamers) and can sting badly so avoid these even if found washed up on the beach. It is best to avoid coming into contact with any jelly fish and any marine creatures. Give them respect and room. If going into the sea at low tide best to wear swimming shoes so your feet are safe from stepping on weever fish which have sharp dorsal spines. This rarely happens but the lifeguards tell me it does occasionally.