Our Picks For the Top Gardens in South Devon
Perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of cities and busy towns, many of these gardens are close to Leonards Cove, and easy to access via a short drive.
Five of the best beaches in South Devon
If there’s one thing that South Devon has in abundance, it’s sensational beaches. Welcome to a land of rockpools and grassy dunes, rugged cliffs and secluded coves, sandy beaches and surfing spots. South Devon boasts a medley of beautiful coastlines with some of the best beaches in the country.
With so many options, it can be hard to know where to lay your beach towel. So, we’ve rounded up five of the best beaches in South Devon to help you decide.
Whether you’re after a day filled with sandcastles, swimming or sunbathing, South Devon has a picture-perfect beach for you.
Blackpool Sands
Glistening waters. A picturesque crescent cove. A lush backdrop of green hills. Blackpool Sands is a beautiful Blue Flag beach, known as one of the best beaches in South Devon - if not England.
The name, however, can cause confusion. ‘Blackpool’ refers to a nearby village rather than the popular Lancashire resort town and the ‘Sands’ are actually fine shingle. Even so, it is a spectacular spot for swimming and watersports and is well equipped with a large car park, shower facilities and a lovely cafe. During the summer months, there is also a lifeguard on hand. Dogs are allowed between November and April.
And best of all, it’s a short 10 minutes from Leonard’s Cove. Perfect.
Bigbury-on-Sea Beach
If sandy beaches are your thing, try Bigbury-on-Sea Beach. Certainly, one of the best beaches in South Devon, an ideal family beach with plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide. Take your pick from swimming, surfing, sandcastles or simply wandering along the shallows.
Perfect for the beach alone, Bigbury-on-Sea is also famous for Burgh Island. At low tide, a strip of sand is revealed and you can walk directly over on foot. Or if you’re with kids, don’t miss the chance to take the sea tractor. There are plenty of facilities - shop, cafe, pub, toilets, showers - making it perfect for a day in the sun.
Just remember - this is a highly tidal beach so make sure you check timings before you go.
Bantham Beach
Did you know beaches can win awards? Bantham has many trophies in the bag so we couldn’t leave it off this list of best beaches in South Devon. Not far down the coast from Bigbury, Bantham features picturesque views of Burgh Island and plenty of rock pools to explore to the south.
Backed by grassy dunes with the River Avon estuary to the west, it’s also a popular spot for a scenic wander.
As a sandy beach with plenty of shallows, it’s naturally popular with families of all ages. It also has some of the most reliable waves in South Devon so expect to see a surfboard or three. During the summer months, there’s a lifeguard present and dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Lannacome Beach
Our first three beaches can get pretty busy on a sunny day, so here’s a tip for a quieter spot. Lannacombe is a true hidden gem with a rugged charm of its own. If you’re taking kids, there are plenty of rock pools, a merry stream running down the beach and below the high tide mark, there’s a lovely stretch of sand.
It’s here you’ll also find some stunning coastal views backed by beautiful surrounding countryside, making it one of the best beaches in South Devon. If you feel like stretching your legs, the South Devon Coastal Path is just nearby.
As a wilder beach, amenities are at a minimum. There is a very small car park with enough room for 15 cars - so get in there early. Dogs are welcome all year round.
Man Sands
Find the narrow track to Man Sands and follow for three-quarters of a mile and you’ll find one of the best beaches in South Devon. A true hidden gem. The beach itself is a mix of shingle and sand but the highlight is an exciting mix of freshwater streams, rock pools and caves to discover and explore. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching - a unique wetland area provides a haven for all manner of birdlife.
Relatively popular for a secluded beach, it’s still always quiet enough for a romantic stroll or a relaxing sunbathe. There’s little in the way of amenities - a small National Trust car park at the top of the track is your lot. Dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of year.
A room with a clifftop view
Discover everything you need for a Devon break at Leonards Cove. Our picturesque holiday park offers a stunning clifftop location with spectacular views along the Devon coastline and within easy driving distance of the best beaches in South Devon.
With a range of accommodation options, we’ll have something to suit you - whether that’s a luxurious self-catered cottage, a cosy lodge or a comfy mobile home. Pitch your tent or park your camper van in our spacious camping fields with wifi, shop and on-site restaurant all on hand.
Visit Dartmouth: Our Guide to One of the Best Towns in South Devon
Our town guide has been crafted so that when you visit Dartmouth, you’ll have an idea of what to expect, what makes Dartmouth special, and our recommendations of what we think you should be doing whilst you’re there.
Our Sizzling Summer Guide to the Best Places to Visit in South Devon
With a diverse mixture of sandy beaches, medieval towns, quaint fishing villages and rugged moorland, South Devon is one of the UK's most popular summer holiday destinations.
Sandwiched between the Dorset and Cornish borders, South Devon includes 50 beautiful and varied beaches and the famed English Riviera coastal towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. The South West Coastal Path twists and turns through 125 miles of South Devon, countryside, passing the welcoming towns of Seaton, Dawlish, Torquay and Salcombe.
The Top 5 Places to Visit in Dartmoor this Summer
A rugged expanse of natural wonder, Dartmoor has been captivating visitors with awe-inspiring landscapes and intriguing legends for generations. Even legendary movie director Steven Spielberg was struck by the landscapes he found as the quote above shows. Across granite tors, pristine valleys and the remnants of civilisations gone by, Dartmoor is the chance to truly immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
The top 5 best castles in Devon to visit
Are you planning your next holiday in South Devon, but unsure where to start? Perhaps you've heard about the stunning coastal views and charming villages but wonder what else the region has to offer? If so, you're not alone. Many visitors to South Devon may overlook one of its most remarkable features: its wealth of captivating castles. If you're a history lover or simply enjoy exploring architectural marvels, Devon is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
The best beaches in South Devon
If there’s one thing that South Devon has in abundance, it’s sensational beaches. Welcome to a land of rockpools and grassy dunes, rugged cliffs and secluded coves, sandy beaches and surfing spots. South Devon boasts a medley of beautiful coastlines with some of the best beaches in the country.
With so many options, it can be hard to know where to lay your beach towel. So, we’ve rounded up five of the best beaches in South Devon to help you decide.
Discover the best of Devon with Paignton and Dartmouth steam railway and river boat
Take a steam-powered journey along the beautiful Devon countryside and coast, with the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Choose to travel by train, boat (or both!) and you’ll enjoy a unique perspective on our breathtaking county, and a great day out.
Our favourite Dartmouth walks
With so many Dartmouth walks to choose from, all promising beautiful scenery, it’s difficult to know where to start. So, to make it easy for you to make the most of your stay in Dartmouth, we’ve hand selected some of our favourites for you to enjoy.
The top eight things to do in South Devon for families
South Devon was more or less made for families. It’s a bewitching blend of beautiful beaches, wonderful water sports, fun ferry rides and corking kid-friendly attractions.
Making the most of the Dartmouth Regatta 2024
The Dartmouth Regatta is one of those bucket list events you simply have to see. It’s a marvellous mash-up of water-based competitions, land-based contests, foodie feasts, community parties, live music and a fabulous fireworks display.
