Devon Beaches
Visit Devon Beach Guide for information about beaches in Devon.
West Devon is approximately 15 miles of the Devon coast close to Plymouth. Most of the beaches here are smaller beaches.
At Plymouth Hoe, there are small beaches and sunbathing areas. There are also small beaches at Batten Bay and Jennycliff Beach. Further west are the popular family beaches at Bovisand Beach and Wembury Beach. There is fine coast path walking around Wembury.
There is also good walking from Noss Mayo along the River Yealm to Gara Point and beyond. At the entrance of the River Yealm is the small Cellar Beach. Also a few miles from Noss Mayo is Stoke Beach, but there is limited parking here.
Further west, there is a large expanse of sand at the mouth of the River Erme. Either side of the Erme, are the beaches at Mothecombe Beach and Wonwell Beach.
South Devon has a large and varied selection of beaches, from larger spacious beaches to remote and quiet coves. The scenery is excellent here and there is good walking on the coast.
The most popular beaches are on Bigbury Bay including Bigbury-On-Sea which is an excellent large family beach and nearby Bantham Sand which is popular with surfers. To the west of Bigbury is the curved sandy beach at Challaborough and the small coves at Ayrmer Cove and Westcombe Beach.
South of Bigbury are the small quiet beaches of Broad Sand, Yarmouth Sand, Leas Foot Sand and then the big family beach at Thurlestone Sand and the picturesque village of Hope Cove, which has two sandy beaches.
To the south of Hope Cove is the headland of Bolt Tail and from here the coast stretches south for around 5 miles east to Bolt Head. There is only one beach on this part of the coast, the small but picturesque Soar Mill Cove.
Beyond Bolt Head is Salcombe Harbour and Salcombe is a town well worth visiting. Just below Salcombe are the small but popular beaches of North Sands and South Sands. On the east bank of Salcombe Harbour is a very pleasant stretch of sand from East Portlemouth to Mill Bay and Sunny Cove.
From Mill Bay the coast stretches east for 6 or 7 miles to Start Point. There are a number of smaller quieter beaches on this part of the coast, including Seacombe Sand, Moor Sand, Elender Cove, the beach at Prawle Point,and closer to Start Point Lannacombe and Mattiscombe.
Around Start Point, the coast stretches north eastwards into scenic Start Bay and there are pleasant beaches here Hall Sands, Beesands and the 3 mile pebble beach at Slapton Sands. East of Slapton Sands is the pleasant family beach at Blackpool Sands.
The coastline around Tor Bay is known as The English Riviera and is famed for its mild climate and great scenery. There is a vast array of accomodation to choose from and there are excellent beaches and attractions, making the area ideal for family holidays.
At the southern edge of Tor Bay is the port of Brixham which is well worth a visit. There is good walking around Berry Head and south of Berry Head are the quiet beaches of St Marys Bay, Man Sands and Scabbacombe Sands.
West of Brixham is the quiet cove of Elberry Cove and then the big family beaches of Broadsands and Goodrington Sands. Further north still is the big seaside town of Paignton with its long sandy beach and promenade pier.
The coast stretches north past Hollicombe Beach and Livermead Sands to Torquay with its two big popular beaches Torre Abbey Sands and Meadfoot Beach.
North of Torquay is Babbacombe with its model village and cliff railway. Further north on the coast are the quiet beaches at Watcombe and Maidencombe.
East Devon is an ideal destination for family holidays with a number of big seaside towns, all with excellent beaches.
Below the Exe Estuary is the popular family beach at Dawlish Warren and the picturesque seaside town of Dawlish. Further south is the big resort town of Teignmouth at the mouth of the River Teign. On the banks of the River Teign is a small beach at Shaldon.Also at Shaldon, is the long sandy beach at Ness Cove.
On the west bank of the Exe River is the big resort town of Exmouth with its two miles of golden sand. Just west of Exmouth is Sandy Bay and further along the coast is the quiet seaside town at Budleigh Salterton. Further west is the scenic beach at Ladram Bay and the big seaside town at Sidmouth.
In the far east of the county is the long pebble beach at Branscombe, the curved pebble bay at Beer and the big resort town at Seaton with its long pebble beach.
North Devon is a great place to visit with some great scenery and some good beaches, including some excellent surfing beaches. There are some nice towns and villages to visit too, including the picturesque fishing village of Clovelly.
North Devon is divided into two by the estuaries of the River Taw and River Torridge. On the banks of the River Torridge is the pleasant village of Instow with its sandy beach, looking across to Appledore, a town well worth a visit.
Below the estuary is the huge surfing beach at Westward Ho! Further west is Clovelly and the headland at Hartland Point. Further south is a small beach at Hartland Quay.
North of the River Taw and Torridge are the big surfing beaches at Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay, Putsborough and Woolacombe. From Woolacombe there is good walking around Morte Point and Bull Point. On this part of the coast there are beaches at Rockham Beach and further west Lee Bay.
Further west on the coast is Ilfracombe and the beach at Hele Bay. Further west again is the town of Combe Martin and Wild Pear Beach.
At the far east of the North Devon coast is the picturesque town of Lynmouth, which is well worth a visit.