South Devon beaches are hard to beat

With more than 70 miles of coastline, South Devon boasts mile after mile of glorious beaches, ranging from tiny sheltered coves to great swathes of golden sand and long stretches of pebbles and shingle.

Whether its beaches with safe bathing, family facilities, energetic watersports, a wildlife haven, access for dog walkers or top quality awards, South Devon is able to offer them all. Twenty of the best beaches are listed in the 2009 South Devon Guide, which may be obtained free of charge by visiting visitsouthdevon.co.uk.

Among the best and most well-known of the region’s beaches is Dawlish Warren. A winner of the European Blue Flag award no less than ten times, it is internationally recognised as a nature reserve and home to hundreds of species of insects, birds, animals and plant life, some of which were new to science when they were discovered there.

For a secluded hideaway, Coryton Cove, Dawlish, is a perfect, picturesque location, complete with rock pools, brightly-coloured beach huts and the occasional sighting of dolphins, while Ness Beach at picturesque Shaldon sits between impressive red cliffs and is accessed via an original smuggler’s tunnel.

Families searching for a long stretch of sandy beach, with shallow water for paddling, rock pools for exploring, a beach shop and café, would be hard pushed to find anywhere better than Bigbury on Sea. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Blue Flag beach is joined by a causeway to Burgh Island, which can be visited by sea tractor or on foot at low tide. The beach is also ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing.

Other sandy beaches popular with families include Dawlish Town and Teignmouth Town, both of which offer free entertainment during the summer months and the crescent-shaped beach of Blackpool Sands, with its sheltered bay and backdrop of evergreens and pines.

Regarded as the region’s best beach and a great base for a variety of watersports including surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and boogie boarding (equipment hire and instruction available), Blackpool Sands also has a Blue Flag award and is home to the Venus Café which serves local and organic food. Also popular are Salcombe South Sands, which is accessible by road, coastal footpath and passenger ferry from the town centre; and the less busy East Portlemouth on the opposite side of the estuary from Salcombe.

Traditionalists will be delighted to stumble across River Beach on the estuary side of Teignmouth, where time seems to have stood still as fishermen mend their nets in the age-old fashion, sand eels are caught, boats bob up and down in the harbour, waterside inns thrive, visitors hire boats and beach huts, and children splash around in the water.

Bantham, a fine sandy beach at the mouth of the Avon estuary, is among the most popular on the south coast for surfing. Also a hit with surfers and body boarders for its swells and shore breaks is Challaborough, a sheltered cove in an AONB just along from Bigbury on Sea which has also been awarded a Blue Flag.

The National Trust owns the beach at Wembury, together with its Marine Centre, which runs guided rock pool rambles and other events during the summer, and the historic water mill, now home to a cafe serving delicious home-made food. Also owned by the National Trust are Thurlestone and South Milton Sands. Thurlestone Rock, a natural red sandstone arch created by erosion caused by wave action, was famously captured on canvas by William Turner, the celebrated 19th century landscape painter.

Disabled holidaymakers will also find a good selection of beaches to suit them in South Devon, with many offering wheelchair access. These include Dawlish Warren, Teignmouth Town Beach and Bigbury on Sea, all of which also have toilets for the disabled and beach wheelchairs available for hire.

There are also a wealth of fantastic beaches in South Devon that are dog friendly all year round while others welcome dogs for parts of the year. Amongst those without restrictions are East Portlemouth, Mill Bay, Ness Cove, Salcombe North Sands, Slapton, Strete Gate, Teignmouth River Bridge, Torcross and Thurlestone.

For further information about beaches in the region, together with details about the wealth of other things to see and do, plus places to stay, visit visitsouthdevon.co.uk.