Devon Swimming beaches
The beach guide has 62 swimming beaches listed in Devon. Check here for all swimming beaches in the UK
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1. Moor Sands Beach
Moor Sands (or Moorsand) is something of a misnomer as there really isn't much in the way of sand here. The beach is in fact mostly made up of smooth pale-coloured pebbles and a few rocks. There is however a bit of sand below the high…
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2. Breakwater Beach
This small shingle beach is tucked in between Berry Head and the Brixham Marina breakwater. There is easy level access from the car park behind the beach.
On its day the Breakwater Beach is a pretty little cove, particularly when…
3. Broad Sands Beach
Tucked away on the rugged North Devon coast between Watermouth and Combe Martin is a little known cove. Named Broad Sands for…
4. Shoalstone Beach
Shoalstone is a small shingle beach near the busy fishing harbour of Brixham. There is a twenty five metre open air saltwater swimming pool, dating back to 1896, at the eastern end of the beach. Berry Head National Nature Reserve is within…
5. Plymouth Hoe - East Beach
Plymouth Hoe East is a developed promenade area just below Smeaton's Lighthouse. The beach itself is rather small and composed of rocks and shingle. It has fine views over Plymouth Sound, a lively natural harbour at which there is always…
6. Bigbury on Sea Beach
A large, sandy beach, with plenty of facilities, located between the rivers Avon and Erme in South Devon. Safe swimming, rock pools and the intriguing Burgh Island, which can be accessed via a causeway at low tide, or a unique 'sea tractor'…
7. Dawlish Beach
Dawlish town beach, a mixture of sand and shingle, follows the curve of the sheltered bay from Lea Mount to Langstone Rock, a distance of over a mile.
Great for swimming, with pleasure boat trips around the bay in summer. There…
8. Bovisand Bay
Bovisand is a sheltered bay which is easily reached from Plymouth. It has fine golden sand and low-rise cliffs on either side.
The beach at Bovisand is very wide when the tide is out, creating plenty of space for playing on the…
9. Holcombe Beach (Teignmouth)
Holcombe beach is quite narrow strip of sand and shingle, flanked by dramatic red cliffs. Running alongside the beach is a low sea wall along which it is possible to walk to Teignmouth. Directly on top of the sea wall is the railway line…
10. Plymouth Hoe - West Beach
A shingle beach backed by a promenade in the city of Plymouth. There are shops, a cafe, a pool and toilets right by the beach. The city council is working to improve water quality. Signposted within Plymouth.
11. Hope Cove
Hope Cove consists of two sandy bays, Inner and Outer Hope. As the name suggests Inner Hope is more sheltered and is actually home to a small harbour tucked away behind the rocks at the northern end.
The twin beaches back onto the…12. Beesands Beach
Beesands Beach nestles between the sea, a freshwater lake called Widdicombe Ley and the tiny village from which it gets its name. The village features little more than a small church, and a row of houses, shops and pub looking out onto…
13. Dawlish Warren Beach
Backed by sand dunes, the sheltered location of Dawlish Warren offers a mix of natural beauty and traditional family entertainment; go-karts, golf, and amusement rides, as well as water sports are all available. It is also possible…
14. Woody Bay
Woody Bay, on the rugged Exmoor Coast, certainly lives up to its name. The rocky cove is backed by steep, heavily wooded cliffs. The walk down to the beach is as much of a delight as the cove itself; the path zig-zags through the woods,…
15. Hartland Quay Beach
Hartland Quay is a small pebble and rock beach with some areas of sand, along the Hartland Devon Heritage Coast near to the border with Cornwall. It is known for the spectacular scenery and the imposing cliffs that tower over the beach.…
16. Lee Abbey Beach
This shingle and rock beach is located just west of the popular Exmoor coastal villages of Lynton and Lynmouth. It is located within the grounds of the Lee Abbey Estate, hence the name. Whilst sometimes referred to as Lee Bay, this is…
17. Bigbury on Sea (South) Beach
This award-winning beach near Kingsbridge in South Devon is a popular destination for families and watersports enthusiasts alike, and it's not difficult to see why. Bigbury-on-Sea offers the visitor a good stretch of clean, golden sand,…
18. Preston Sands (Paignton) Beach
This clean, safe, sandy beach is ideal for families: activities include sandcastle building or rock pooling at low tide. Behind the beach is a grassy area known as Preston Green, which includes a children's playground. Activities on…
19. Barricane Bay (Woolacombe)
Barricane is a secluded beach located at the far northern-end of Woolacombe. Often referred to as Combesgate Beach, Barricane gets its name from the range of shells found on its sands. Exotic shells here such as cowries would have started…
20. Woolacombe Beach
Award-winning Woolacombe Beach is widely recognised as one of the best beaches in the UK. Located on the North Devon coast, between Croyde and Ilfracombe, the 3-mile sandy beach is…
21. Ladram Bay
Ladram Bay is a sand and pebble beach, backed by impressive red Devonian sandstone cliffs. Just off the beach are two equally high, equally red stacks.
The beach is popular for watersports and swimming, but there is no lifeguard…
22. Meadfoot Beach
Meadfoot is a small and peaceful beach a little apart from the bustle of the main Torquay area. There is a car park and boat-launching ramp at the rocky, northern end, and a cafe and beach huts at the sandy, western end. A split-level…
23. North Sands Beach (Salcombe)
North Sands is a sandy beach located to the south of Salcombe and is an easy fifteen minute walk along Cliff Road from the town centre. The nearby ruins of Salcombe Castle, also known as Fort Charles, provide an impressive backdrop to…
24. Beer Beach
Beer Beach sits below the picturesque Devon village of Beer, forming part of the 95-mile Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The name "Beer" comes from the Old English translation…
25. Broadsands Beach
The long, curving, red-sandy beach of Broadsands lies on South Devon's English Riviera coast, in between rocky headlands. When the tide goes out the beach is extensive. The beach shelves gently into the calm water, making it generally…
26. Anstey's Cove
Anstey's Cove is a peaceful, shingle beach located on the coast path between Torquay and Babbacombe. Limestone cliffs, interesting rock formations and views across Lyme Bay to the Dorset coast.…
27. St Mary's Bay
St Mary's Bay is a secluded cove not far from the town of Brixham. The beach is mostly sandy with some shingle and rocks. Located just south of Berry Head the beach just about lies on the popular 22-mile stretch of coastline known as…
28. Blackpool Sands Beach
The crescent-shaped beach of Blackpool Sands is set against an attractive backdrop of pines and the rolling South Hams countryside. The beach itself is something of a misnomer as the…
29. Sedgewell Cove
Adjacent to the privately owned Burgh Island, Sedgewell Cove, often referred to as Bigbury-On-Sea, is separated from Bantham by the River Avon. During low tide, two expansive sandy beaches are revealed. At this time, it is possible…
30. Thurlestone Beach (North)
Thurlestone Beach is actually two distinct beaches separated by a rocky outcrop.
To the north is a smaller beach which is adjacent to Thurlestone Golf Club in and south of the outcrop a bigger beach that sits on the coast in the…
31. Putsborough Sands Beach
Putsborough Sands is a large sandy beach that forms the southern section of Woolacombe Sands. Popular with surfers, especially longboarders, Putsborough is the only beach in the area to have some protection from south and south-westerly…
32. Churston Cove
Churston Cove is a scenic, shingle and rock beach, just north of the town of Brixham on the English Riviera. Access is via a long, steep and narrow path, which is uneven in places and can make disabled access particularly difficult.…
33. Sandy Bay
In case you hadn't guessed, Sandy Bay is indeed a very sandy beach! Backed by high cliffs the beach is around a mile in length and set in what feels like a secluded bay. However, towards low tide the beach becomes a continuous stretch…
34. Strete Gate Beach
Strete Gate Beach is located at the very start of a long, coastal spit that stretches to Torcross and beyond. A wide, shingle beach with a car park and nudists on the northern end in summer. Access via Slapton.
35. Watcombe Beach
PLEASE NOTE: BEACH IS CLOSED DUE TO DAMAGED ACCESS STEPS. ALL FACILITIES ARE ALSO CLOSED Watcombe Beach is a picturesque rural cove in a sheltered position just to the north of Babbacombe. The natural cove found here is an idyllic spot…
36. Torre Abbey Beach
Torre Abbey is Torquay's main beach, situated just west of the harbour. Shallow, safe waters and a sheltered aspect make this a very popular beach in summer. Mainly sand, with some rocky sections, the beach is backed by a promenade and…
37. Croyde Bay
Croyde beach is set in a wide sandy bay between Woolacombe and Saunton Sands beaches. Despite being a little tricky to find and in a rural setting Croyde is one of North Devon's most popular…
38. Saunton Sands Beach
Three and a half miles of golden sand backed by one of the most unique and impressive dune systems in the country. Saunton Sands is bounded to the south by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge. Popular with families and…
39. Seaton Beach
Seaton Bay, with its mile-long pebble beach, sits right on the edge of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO world heritage site. The beach (whose pebbles are protected), is backed by steep…
40. Sidmouth Beach
The attractive Victorian resort of Sidmouth lies on the coast about 15 miles from Exeter. The main beach on the town's sea-front is largely made up of hand-sized pebbles above the shoreline.
At low tide a strip of rich red sand…
41. Babbacombe Beach
Just east of Torquay, around the heavily wooded headland, is a different world to the bright lights and marinas of Torbay. Here you will find several little coves, the first, and arguably prettiest, of them is Babbacombe beach. The beach…
42. Oddicombe Beach
This sheltered shingle beach just north of Torquay on the English Riviera is a family favourite, often busy in summer. There are deckchairs, kayak, pedalo, and sunbed hire on offer. This UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site has interesting…
43. Coryton Cove (Dawlish)
Coryton Cove, formerly known as Gentleman's Cove is a small, secluded sand and pebble beach on the outskirts of the town of Dawlish. The crescent-shaped beach is less busy than others along this stretch of the coast and rewards visitors…
44. Maidencombe Beach
Maidencombe is a small sandy cove a few miles north of Babbacombe and Torquay. It's a ten minute walk from a small car park, with a steep section at the end. There is a cafe by the beach.
45. Westward Ho! Beach
Facing westwards into Bideford Bay, Surfers and swimmers, kayakers, and paddle boarders will love this long sandy stretch of sand. The main beach is backed by the grassland of Northam Burrows Country Park and the imaginatively named…
46. Meadowsfoot Beach (Mothecombe)
Meadowsfoot Beach is an unspoilt, sandy beach that joins up with Wonwell Beach, on the Erme estuary, at low tide. Privately owned by the Flete estate, Meadowsfoot is open to the public on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is a large…
47. Jacobs Ladder Beach (Sidmouth)
Jacob's Ladder is the sandy, western end of Sidmouth's town beach, which is mostly pebble. Excellent for young children, there is a large expanse of sand and plenty of rock pools at low tide. Access is via a level path from the main beach…
48. Exmouth Beach
Often described as the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coach, Exmouth's two miles of sand are ideal for water sports. This includes boat trips, kayaking, kite surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, swimming, and windsurfing:…
49. Ness Cove
Tucked away underneath the cliffs of the Ness Headland is the secluded beach of Ness Cove. The beach here is nearly always less busy than nearby Teignmouth and as a result it is popular with locals.
Access to the beach is through…
50. Mill Bay
A stunning, privately owned beach at the mouth of the Salcombe estuary. Golden sand, clean, safe swimming and rock pools. There is a small car park at the beach, or access it using the East Portlemouth ferry from Salcombe.
51. Budleigh Salterton Beach
The two kilometers of immediately recognizable pebbles that make up Budleigh Salterton's beach mark the western start of Devon's Jurassic Coast. Part of this ancient World Heritage…
52. Slapton Sands - Monument Beach
The name of this beach, which lies on the Devon coast between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, is somewhat misleading, as it consists of a 3-mile stretch of shingle rather than sand. Slapton Sands itself is actually a good example of a coastal…
53. Beacon Cove
A short walk from Torquay harbourside, Beacon Cove is a sheltered shingle beach. Less crowded than Torquay's main beach, but still easily accessible.
54. Hele Bay
Hele Bay is a sand and shingle cove situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, adjacent to the Hillsborough Nature Reserve. There are rock pools on both sides of the beach at low tide. Parking and all facilities are within easy…
55. Tunnels Beach (Ilfracombe)
A network of tunnels, hand-carved in the early nineteenth century, leads to a selection of sheltered sand and shingle beaches and a Victorian tidal swimming pool. The beaches, which are backed by cliffs, can only be accessed via the tunnels,…
56. Wembury Beach
The delightful beach at Wembury is set in a cove, backed by low rise cliffs and has lots to offer beachgoers. Behind the beach, the gently rolling Devon hills and pretty Wembury Church provide a picturesque backdrop whilst the beach itself…
57. Hallsands Beach
Hallsands is a pretty stretch of shingle beach which sits on the southerly end of a long string of such beaches reaching all the way to Strete some 6 or so miles away. On low tides it is possible to walk around to neighbouring Beesands…
58. Paignton Sands Beach
When picturing the archetypal day at the seaside, Paignton Sands would tick most people's boxes. This long, sandy beach on the English Riviera in south-west Devon attracts thousands of visitors every year. Its calm, shallow waters are…
59. Wild Pear Beach
Just to the north of Combe Martin lies Wild Pear beach, something of a hidden gem. It does take something of a concerted effort to get to this sheltered little beach of sand…
60. East Portlemouth Beach
Set across the harbour from Salcombe East Portlemouth is far quieter than Salcombe\'s other beaches. The beach itself is a long sandy stretch which becomes a series of smaller coves at higher tides - Fishermans Cove and Smalls Cove which…
61. Hollicombe Beach
This charming beach lies in a secluded bay between Paignton and Torquay. It has distinctive red sand, excellent for building sandcastles, together with some areas of large rocks and is backed by equally red sandstone cliffs. The sheltered…
62. Teignmouth Beach
Teignmouth, on the mouth of the River Teign estuary makes an excellent base for a day out at the beach. This traditional South Devon seaside resort has some fine examples of Georgian architecture along with a Victorian pier. It is also…
