South Devon is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In 2009, we walked, researched and photographed its coastline from Plymouth all the way around to The English Riviera. The walk, on the South West Coast Path, takes one through some of Devon’s most popular destinations including Salcombe and Dartmouth. It also takes one past some of the UK’s best beaches. We list lots of things to do and see in the area here but if you’re looking for South Devon’s top 10 beaches then these are our recommendations:
1. Mill Bay Beach - an idyllic sandy beach close to East Portlemouth Beaches with exceptional views across to Salcombe. It’s National Trust and there’s parking behind the beach but it’s easier to park in Salcombe itself and take a boat across the water and then walk to the beach.
2. Blackpool Sands - if you’ve glanced at any promotional material for beaches in South Devon then you’ll no doubt have seen this beach already. A perfect arc of shingle set againt a blue sea and lush Devon hills. Lots of parking and plenty of facilities on the beach.
3. Bantham Beach - this was our favourite discovery during the walk around the South Devon coastline. Across the water from Bigbury-on-Sea Beach, it’s a favourite among surfers. When the tide’s out, there’s loads of sand and good walking inland via the River Avon. The beach has a great vibe to it.
4. Bigbury-on-Sea Beach - possibly the best known beach in South Devon connecting the mainland with Burgh Island.
5. Slapton Sands - one of many shingle beaches running along the coastline at Start Bay.
6. South Sands - as beaches go, this one’s a tiddler but it has awesome views of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary and Overbeck’s Garden and Museum are nearby. There’s parking behind the beach but by far and away the best way to arrive is by boat and then sea tractor!
7. Hope Cove Harbour Beach - one of several sandy beaches in the area, the harbour beach is nestled behind a vast harbour wall and the setting is extraordinary.
8. South Milton Sands - not particularly well know but a cracking sandy beach owned by the National Trust.
9. Thurlestone Beach - an intimate, family beach close to South Milton Sands.
10. The English Riviera Beaches (Broadsands Beach, Goodrington Sands, Paignton Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Babbacombe Beach and Oddicombe Beach)
There are plenty more magnificent beahces in the area so if we’ve missed your favourite or there’s one you want to shout about then pls add comments here or @picturetheuk on Twitter.
