Devon’s best beaches
Summer is officially here and there is no better place to head when the sun is shining than the beach. We are spoilt for choice in Exeter, Exmouth, Mid Devon, East Devon and Newton Abbot – you’re never very far from a glorious beach, so here’s our pick of Devon’s best hidden beaches that you may not have visited before. Thank us later!
Ness Cove, Shaldon
Parking: 5 minute walk
Facilities: Toilets at the car park, shops in the town nearby
Dog-friendly? All year round!
This unique, secluded beach is accessed via an original smugglers tunnel that now joins onto the Shaldon car park. Completely enclosed by the surrounding cliffs, you wouldn’t realise you’re just around the headland from the main Shaldon and Teignmouth beaches, and its smuggling history makes it a highly interesting cove to explore. With many steps through the tunnel and onto the beach itself, it’s not suitable for pushchairs or those that don’t want the climb back to the car!
Branscombe Beach
Parking: 1 minute walk
Facilities: Toilets, café and shop at the car park
Dog-friendly? All year round!
Below the picturesque village of Branscombe lies Branscombe beach – a mile long shingle beach that extends to Beer Head. There’s plenty to explore nearby, including Branscombe village with its thatched houses, working forge and watermill, and countryside walks. The beach itself is shingle, making it the perfect picnic spot for anyone who wants to enjoy coastal views without getting sand in their sandwiches. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/branscombe
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Beer Beach
Parking: 5 minute walk
Facilities: Toilets near the beach, café and amenities in the village
Dog-friendly? Between October 1st and April 30th
Visit Beer and you will find a picture-postcard village with a quintessential Devonshire beach to go with it, complete with a picturesque scattering of working fishing boats moored on the shingle. This natural suntrap is sheltered from the prevailing wind making it perfect for sun-lovers to catch some rays while listening to the sound of the waves ebbing at the shore.
Jacob’s Ladder, Sidmouth
Parking: 2-5 minute walk, plenty in town
Facilities: Connaught gardens nearby with ice cream kiosk, café and toilets
Dog-friendly? Between October 31st and April 1st
Sidmouth is probably already high up on your list of beach spots to visit this summer, but many visitors stick with the main beach along the promenade without venturing along the level raised path to the western end of Sidmouth’s coastline. This mostly pebble beach is nestled below Connaught Gardens, which provides secondary access via the steps that give this beach its name, and stretches far to the west to give a much less crowded beach area, especially in the summer! With plenty of rock pools at low tide, this area is great for inquisitive children.
Watcombe Beach, Babbacombe
Parking: 10-15 minute walk
Facilities: Toilets and small café near the beach
Dog-friendly? All year round!
This small cove is nestled just above the town of Babbacombe, just 15 minutes from Newton Abbot. Access to the beach is via a steep footpath (which might not be suitable for buggies), but once on the beach you will be rewarded by a part sand/part shingle beach. The tall trees and large boulders add to the seclusion to give it a unique shipwrecked feel!
