Kingswear Beaches
The beaches near Kingswear are perfect for building sandcastles with the kids or taking the plunge for a spot of wild swimming. Kayaking and paddleboarding are both available at Blackpool Sands, a lifeguarded beach where the kit is available to hire. Try rock pooling at Beesands followed by lunch at The Cricket Inn, overlooking the gin-clear waters. Who doesn’t love a day beside the sea?
Castle Cove
This charming cove has beautiful views of Dartmouth Castle but if you’re planning a trip down to Castle Cove Beach we advise checking the tide times before you head off, the shingle beach completely disappears at high tide so you may have to postpone that leisurely picnic!
Access –
Hop on the ferry and take a stroll or drive out towards Dartmouth Castle. Join the footpath from the car park and take the steep path (100 concrete and wooden steps) which leads down to the shingle beach.
Facilities –
- Tea rooms at Dartmouth Castle 50 meters from the beach
- Toilets
- Parking
We love – a lovely secluded beach and afternoon tea at the Castle!
Blackpool Sands Beach
This privately owned beach is one of the most beautiful around and perfect for families with its Blue Flag accreditation for water quality. The location is pretty stunning too… backed by evergreen trees dotted with pines, the sheltered bay offers excellent watersports with kayak and paddleboard rentals available on site. Take a dip in the crystal clear waters or laze on the sands followed by lunch at the excellent cafe. This is a dedicated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is well worth a visit! Blackpool Sands Beach has a dog ban in place between March and October and is open all year round.
Access
Along the A379 Blackpool Sands, Blackpool, Dartmouth TQ6 0RG’
Facilities
- Blue Flag Awarded Beach
- hire water sports equipment
- cafe plus takeaway on site
- RNLI Lifeguards – seasonal, July to September only
- first aid facilities.
- sand pits for building sandcastles
- car parks
- Toilets
- beach shop
We love – A great family-friendly beach in a stunning location with everything on hand!
Slapton Sands Monument Beach
If you’d prefer not to get sand between your toes, Slapton Sands is the place for you! This stunning stretch of shingle and pebble beach is less busy than its sandy counterparts. The sea is steeply shelving but having taken the plunge, it’s beautiful for swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. Look out for the bobbing seals and the occasional pod of dolphins… We’ve even had a visiting whale spotted offshore! This long expanse of beach is very popular with fishermen spinning for mackerel on the summer and autumn tides. Beach access is alongside the car park. Dog friendly all year round.
Access
Drive along the A379 from Dartmouth and through Strete, passing Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands is another 3.5 miles. You can’t miss it!
Facilities
- water sports – great for sailing, canoeing and kayaking but no sports hire shops
- picnic on the beach or on the grassy area by the monument
- ice cream van
- cafes, fish and chips and a pub in Torcross 0.5km
- toilets
Attractions
While in the area, a stroll around the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve is a must! This is the largest freshwater lake in southern England and is cut off from the sea by the A379. Take the circular walk around the Ley which takes you through the village of Slapton and back down towards the car park. The birdlife is prolific!
We love – the wild swimming and space for kids and dogs to play away from the crowds.
Torcross Beach
Another quieter spot is the beautiful stretch of shingle beach at the opposite end of Slapton Sands Monument Beach. Unlike Slapton Beach, Torcross has a prom lined with pretty cottages, a pub and a handful of cafes. Again there are no watersports hire but there is a slipway down to the beach so you can launch your own craft. Access to the sea is steep but it does mean you don’t have to wade through the water for a decent swim! Perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding within the clear waters of the bay.
This is such a lovely spot to relax for a few hours with plenty of space for children to let off steam. Stroll up to the pub for a pint or pick up some fish and chips. There are toilet facilities in the car park right opposite the beach. Dog friendly all year round.
Access
Alongside the A379, Torcross, Kingsbridge TQ7 2TQ
Facilities
- RNLI Lifeguards – July to September
- cafes and pubs along the promenade 20m from the beach.
- Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve
- car parking is available 20m from the beach across the A379.
- toilets
We love… kayaking in the bay followed by fish and chips on the beach!
Beesands Beach
Off the beaten track, just a 10-minute drive from Torcross is Beesands, a mile-long shingle beach and a freshwater lake. This is picture book Devon with a pretty row of old fisherman’s cottages, a seafood shack and The Cricket Inn, an award-winning pub serving the best seafood pancakes! Daily fishing boats pull ashore and you’ll often see Conger Eels strung up along the green. Dine on fresh crab sandwiches or a takeaway seafood platter from Britannia Fish – simply perfect!
Access
Drive along the A379 from Dartmouth to Torcross along the A379 to the village of Stokenham, take a left turn at the mini roundabout and follow the road until you reach a left-hand turn signposted for Beeson and Beesands.
Facilities
- Toilets
- parking
- pub and seafood shack eat in or takeaway
- excellent walk towards Start Point and Torcross along the South West Coastal Path.
We love – the authenticity of Beesands plus the seafood picnics on the beach and wild swimming.
