Broadsands Beach

  • Broadsands Beach - Devon
    © Tom Jolliffe and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Broadsands Beach - Devon
    © David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Broadsands Beach - Devon
    © Wayland Smith and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Broadsands Beach - Devon
    © Derek Harper and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Broadsands Beach - Devon
    © Tom Jolliffe and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Broadsands Beach - Devon
    © Tom Jolliffe and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • 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 safe for kayaking, paddleboarding, paddling, sailing, and swimming, although at high tide the water comes up almost as far as the wall. 

    This beach is perfect for those wanting a quieter day out by the seaside, away from the amusement arcades. It’s great for rock pooling, sandcastle building, or a spot of football on the grass behind the beach. Dogs on leads can also be exercised on the grass, although they are not permitted on the beach during the May to September season.  

    There is a large pay and display car park, and bus number 12 also stops nearby. The car park leads directly on to the long, level promenade area, but access to the beach is via stairs with handrails. There are disabled toilet facilities and a beach wheelchair is available for hire on a daily basis. 

    There are colourful beach huts on the promenade. The location also has shower facilities, a first aid room, and two on-site cafes, as well as a picnic site. Unisex toilets are available (30p as of 2021).

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    Yes

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Dogs are banned between May - September.

    Devon dog friendly beaches »

    Activities

    • Sailing
    • Swimming/bathing

    Facilities

    • Cafe/restaurant
    • Toilets
    • Disabled facilities
    • Lost child centre
    • Deck chair hire
    • Beach hut hire
    • Slipway
    • Promenade

    Nearest town

    Paignton

    Postcode

    TQ4 6HL

    OS grid ref.

    SX 8961 5747

    Water quality

    Water quality star rating

    Awards

    Blue Flag AwardMarine Conservation Society Recommended

    Submit a correction

    Broadsands Beach Reviews

    Great beach for children

    May 27th 2019

    Lovely safe beach with no noticeable slope.  All sand,  very clean.  There is a car park two minutes walk away, a tea and ice cream shop,  and a great dog-friendly bistro serving keg lager and good quality home-made meals and gorgeous cakes with friendly service (and a free biscuit for the dog).  Dogs allowed on beach out of season.

    COME ONE TORBAY COUNCIL WHY IS THE BEACH NOT DISABLED FRIENDLY UNDER THE EQUALITY ACT?

    Sep 12th 2019

    There is no safe access for disabled people to the beach, theres one VERY steep ramp at the furthest end of the beach, not near the car park but it is too steep for disabled users to go up and down (power or being pushed). The other ramp has steps up over a wall from the promenade, again not disabled friendly so useless. This is a good safe beach for families and I saw a man with a disabled child and tramper and he couldn’t get on the beach to take the child in the sea or push him along the sand it is a disgrace having no accessible ramp to all beaches in the supposed age of equality where the family had to be split up and he had to wait on the promenade with the disabled child and their dog. They couldn’t go to Elberry beach where dogs are allowed as it is not accessible and has unfriendly kissing gates, disabled people cannot get through. SHAMEFUL.
    There is a disabled toilet here but quite small. Toilets are free as they should be but old. Dogs only allowed on beach outside restrictions, a bit daft when the beach is only really used in July and August by people, the rest of etc time deserted.

    Sharpy
    Sep 11th 2019

    My wife and I have been holidaying in the Torbay area for the last 15 years now and we always make a point of visiting this lovely beach at least once during the week, weather permitting. The sand is usually lovely and clean, there are refreshment facilities close by, as are the generally clean toilets ( even if the Mr.Whippy Ice Cream machine seems to be out of order in the car park kiosk whenever we visit). Fantastic views across the water to Torquay and the brightly painted beach huts further round the bay make for a very cheerful sight. Added to which the wonderful spectacle of steam locomotives hard at work on the nearby Paignton and Dartmouth heritage Railway and crossing the Brunel built Broadsands viaduct. All in all 9 out 10.

    Aug 01st 2020

    Absolutely love Broadsands beach the steep steps and slopes makedifficult access for old bones with walking sticks as well as all ages who would like to take beach equipment on to the wonderful stretch of sand but disabilities prevent this pleasure. The promenade has wonderful views it is well used by dog walkers and beach owners during the seasons and makes spending a couple of peaceful hours sitting looking at the waves become just a wonderful memory.
    Good Luck Broadsands carry on making wonderful memories

    Where has the sand gone

    Chris
    Aug 07th 2024

    Came last year and it was a beautiful sandy beach. This year has seen 4 yards of sand by the back wall, where the water doesn’t reach, but the rest of the sand washed away to leave nothing but pebbles. This beach needs help before it’s lost altogether.

    The best beach in Torbay (in our opinion)

    Merlin the Hammer
    Aug 13th 2022

    One of the maintenance guys on our holiday site recommended Broadsands Beach to us. We spent an afternoon here, and it was very pleasant. There were lots of folk out with kayaks, waterboards and other inflatables etc. Quite a lot of weed at the Southern end, but the tide was gradually turning, so we expected that. The Northern end was clean, sandy and the water / sea breeze was fresh and warm. We had chips, beer and ice cream at the Venus restaurant - not the cheapest for sure, but absolute quality right through our order. Dozens of beach huts at the back of the promenade, everybody settled in for the day and relaxing / enjoying the great weather.

    Misleading claim of ‘sandy’ beach

    Charlotte
    Aug 27th 2021

    Awful beach for those wanting to just hang out on the beach with the kids and swim in the water. Red sand is only just about viewable under the shingle, stones and rocks. Very, very windy. Small amount of beach to cram into given the 1,000 space car park, (which was actually reasonably priced). If you want to kayak then I suppose you’ll have a good time, but remember those beach shoes, otherwise you’ll cripple yourself getting down to the sea.