Photo Credit: Visit Plymouth
Best Beaches in Plymouth
Indulge yourself in one of our luxury holiday apartments in Plymouth and you’ll have access to some of the best beaches right on your doorstep – not many cities can claim that! We’ve spent a little time exploring Plymouth’s beaches and the tucked away coves and hidden gems which are perfect for wild swimming and paddleboarding, rock pooling and picnics. (It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!) So, we’ve delved deep to come up with the best beaches in Plymouth and a handful just a short drive away.
Wembury Beach
This beautiful beach is owned by the National Trust and is very popular with families and the perfect spot for rock pooling. It’s just a 20-minute drive out of the city and offers safe, clean bathing in gently shelving waters. Wembury Beach has a Marine Conservation Centre and offers rambles around the rockpools to help you identify the molluscs and sea life within. Walk from Wembury beach to Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo in the east and Bovisand in the west, a beautiful stretch of the Southwest Coastal Path.
Facilities
- Parking by the church just up from the beach
- Beach side refreshment kiosk
- On-site café/restaurant
- Toilets
- Wembury Beach is dog friendly between 1 October and 30 April
Access
- Wembury Beach PL9 0JG
- Just a short walk from the carpark to the beach
We love – Rock pooling with the kids and a picnic on the beach.
Photo credit: Visit Plymouth
Mothecombe Beach
Mothecombe Beach is beautiful, it’s like stepping into the adventures of ‘Rupert Bear’. The beach is off the beaten track, it’s about a 15-minute downhill walk across a field and through woodlands to the sands. Just a short five minute drive from the charming village of Holbeton, the beach is part of the Flete Estate. Park the car in the designated parking on the left hand side as you approach the School House cafe, restaurant and takeaway, (little sister of the Beach House at South Milton which you may have heard of).
Facilities
- Parking is through the entrance on the left-hand side, Pay attendant at kiosk. The car park is adjacent to the School House).
- Café/restaurant alongside the car park
- Toilets at the cafe
- Dogs are not permitted on Mothecombe Beach between 1st May to 30th September.
Access
- Mothecombe Beach PL8 1LB
- Access via a gravel footpath, suitable for pushchairs
We love – this very special secluded cove with its very own romantic retreat, Atlantis overlooking the sands.
Bovisand Beach
This sheltered beach is within easy reach of Plymouth, a stunning bay of golden sand within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This popular cove is perfect for swimming and snorkelling and if you hit the sands at low tide, it’s a vast expanse of beach simply perfect for ball games.
Facilities
- Park in the pay and display car parks either side of the bay
- On-site café/restaurant
- Toilets
- Dogs welcome 1st October to 30th April
Access
- Bovisand Beach PL9 0AD
- Walk the 5 miles from Plymouth and stop off for a dip.
- Catch the number 54 bus from the city (summertime only) and it’s a 5-minute downhill walk to the beach.
We love – a swim in the sea on a rising tide when the sun has warmed the sand…simply perfect.
Photo credit: Visit Plymouth
Kingsand Beach, The Rame Peninsular
Head west from Plymouth, either on the Cawsand ferry or over Brunel’s iconic bridge which spans the river Tamar, to the beaches of Kingsand and Cawsand. These charming Cornish coastal villages both have fabulous, sheltered beaches with some excellent rock pools visible at low tide.
For sheer escapism, head to Kingsand, a delightful beach for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. This picturesque hidden gem is awash with pretty cottages lining the narrow streets, traditional pubs, coffee shops and galleries.
Facilities
- Toilets
- Restaurants and cafes are nearby.
- All year dog friendly beach
- Parking available in the village
Access
- Kingsand Beach PL10 1NA
- Access by ferry – take the Cawsand Ferry, (seasonal) from the Barbican Landing Stage to Cawsand and Kingsand on the Rame peninsula.
- Easy access to the beach with just a few steps and a slope
We love – a spot of wild swimming then strolling into the village for an ice cream.
Photo credit: Visit Plymouth
Cawsand Beach, The Rame Peninsular
If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a day at the seaside, this charming little beach is perfect! Popular with families and a lovely spot for children to clamber over the rocks, explore the pools and splash about in the shallows. A great place to launch the kayak, paddleboard or swim in the sheltered waters. Take a stroll around the shops and stop off for a pub lunch in this traditional 17th century fishing village.
Facilities
- Toilets
- Shops, pubs and cafes are nearby.
- Seasonal dog ban
- Parking available in the village
Access
- Cawsand Beach PL10 1LE
- Access by ferry – take the Cawsand Ferry, (seasonal) from the Barbican Landing Stage to Cawsand and Kingsand on the Rame peninsula.
- Easy access to the beach with just a few steps and a slope
- Parking nearby
We love – this sheltered family friendly beach ticks all the boxes – a beautiful location with everything on hand!
Photo credit: Visit Plymouth
East Tinside Beach (at Plymouth Hoe & Tinside Lido
This popular local beach is just a stone’s throw from the Hoe, below Smeaton’s Lighthouse. The rocky shingle stretch is a great spot for wild swimming with a dedicated safe area marked by buoys. During the summer months you can swim to a floating pontoon, relax and sunbathe with excellent views over Plymouth Sound. There’s always something going on and it’s a very popular spot for snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking and people watching. There’s also a promenade with steps into the sea, perfect for plunging into the water for an early morning dip.
Just alongside the beach is the Art Deco Tinside Lido – Voted one of best outdoor pools in Europe (it made it into the top 10!) the Tinside Lido is a must during your stay. The location is fabulous – overlooking the sea just below Plymouth Hoe, this 1935 gem is a glimpse into the quintessential British seaside life. It’s definitely the place to be seen during the summer months with its spacious sundeck. It has to be one of the swankiest spots to soak up the sun!
Facilities
- Public toilets below the Terrace Café
- Plenty of food and drink options
- Dogs are welcome all year round.
Access
- East Tinside Beach (at Plymouth Hoe) and Tinside Lido PL1 2AA
- Beach access via steps at the Hoe just in front of Smeaton’s Tower. No wheelchair access.
- On street paid parking (max. 3 hour stay), two car parks at the Barbican.
We love – the location is stunning! Take a dip in the lido, laze, gaze and relax!
Photo credit: Visit Plymouth
