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View from Bantham looking out to
Burgh Island
OS REFERENCE: SX 662438 |
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Bigbury on Sea. OS REFERENCE: SX
649443 |
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Thurlestone Beach. OS REFERENCE:
SX 676417 |
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Thatched Cottages, Inner Hope,
Hope Cove |
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Slapton Sands. OS REFERENCE: SX
828440 |
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Blackpool Sands. OS REFERENCE:
SX 855478 |
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North Sands. OS REFERENCE: SX731382 |
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Millbay, East Portlemouth |
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Bantham and Bigbury on Sea
Bantham Beach at low tide reveals a large expanse of clear
sands making it an ever-popular attraction. The enclosed area
of land known as the "Ham" between the beach and
the river offers a beautiful but gentle walk.
The beach is very popular with families and is also one of
Devon's finest surfing beaches. During the summer months the
beach is patrolled by lifeguards.
Inland from Bantham are the villages of
Buckland and Churchstow.
The adjacent sandy beach at the mouth
of the Avon, Bigbury-on-Sea is connected to Burgh Island,
by a causeway passable at low tide; at high tide a sea tractor
transports passengers to and from the island. The 'Art Deco'
style hotel on the island was reputedly the inspiration for
Agatha Christie's 'Ten Little Indians'.
The island has a very famous pub called the Pilchard Inn dating
back to the 14th century where the smugglers used to go and
where time almost seems to have stood still.
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Thurlestone
Thurlestone takes its name from the large rock off the shore
and actually means pierced stone.
A pretty village, with its thatched cottages and colourful gardens,
benefits from its own warm, dry microclimate resulting in more
sunny days per year than neighboring villages a mile or two
further inland.
At low tide look out for the remains of a shipwreck, one of
many along this stretch of coastline. The villages of Hope Cove
and Bantham are both within comfortable walking distance along
the beautiful cliff paths which offer stunning views at every
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Hope Cove
Hope Cove is a pretty fishing village with thatched fishermen's
cottages set around grass and cobbled squares. It has sandy
beaches and superb cliff walks.
The coastline around Hope Cove and Bolt tail is particularly
rocky and over the years has claimed many ships, including
one of the Spanish Armada, and these are now regularly visited
by divers.
In the past the small coves provided the necessary seclusion
for smugglers to bring ashore their contraband of tobacco
and brandy.
The village has two pubs, several restaurants, shops and a
post office all within a stone's throw of the beach making
Hope Cove a delightful, holiday destination.
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Slapton Sands
Slapton Sands is a misleading name since it is predominately
made up of shingle, on a three mile long straight beach, backed
by the large freshwater lake of Slapton Ley, a National Nature
Reserve.
The beach at Slapton Sands, the Ley and the cliffs to the north
were used as a practise assault area by American troops in 1944
as preparation for the Normandy Landings. Many soldiers lost
their lives during these exercises with live firing and there
were more tragedies offshore during pre-invasion operations.
The memorial at Torcross is situated at the southern end of
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Blackpool Sands
Blackpool Sands stands in complete contrast to its Lancashire
cousin: the only development on this beach comprises a car park,
toliet block, beachside café and shop.
It is a crescent shaped stretch of golden sands surrounded by
green fields, magnificent pines, craggy cliffs and a turquoise
blue sea. The beach is very popular among families and ideal
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Salcombe
North Sands is located to the south of Salcombe towards
Bolt Head, adjacent to the ruins of Fort Charles - Salcombes
Castle. A small beach with fine golden sands. The beach has
limited parking, a shop and café.
South Sands and Splat Cove are just south of North
Sands and slightly further away from Salcombe. The beach has
a shop, café and local pub, but has limited parking.
A ferry is available to take you across the estuary to one
of the beaches on the other side of the bay.
Millbay, East Portlemouth is a picturesque village
that faces Salcombe from across the estuary. This waterside
village has stunning views of Dartmoor and the surrounding
coast. It has a sandy beach with parking, shop, café
and toilets.
Very popular in summer!
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