The UK has some fantastic beaches with all those lively seaside traditions like amusements, donkey rides, funfairs and side shows. But what if that’s not for you, what if you prefer a quieter scene, away from the crowds, beaches that are remote and unspoilt? A quick look at some of the hidden beaches in Devon might well tempt you.
The coast is such an enormous draw anytime of year, but especially in summer when the sun is shining and everything is in full swing. If you find the main beaches too crowded and long to find somewhere peaceful and away from it all, read on. We’ve uncovered some of the best hidden beaches on Devon’s coasts, beaches that still have that essence of yesteryear, harking back to how it was when our parents and grandparents went on holiday; a bit like it was when the Famous Five had their adventures!
These are the kind of beaches you go to appreciate the natural beauty and the remoteness, just to laze away the hours doing whatever you can find to do. Things like rockpooling, swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing. Look for shells, look for pebbles with holes in, launch skimmers into the sea. Bear in mind that there won’t be beach front car parks and there won’t be all the amenities of busier beaches, so be organised and take a picnic or book a table in a pub nearby for lunch. You’d be wise to check tide times as sometimes, the smaller coves can be more or less covered at high tide.
Take the dog, because there aren’t usually any restrictions on the tucked away beaches. Run along the shore with your pet, the sea breeze in your hair, a big smile on your face.
Broad Sands Beach, Combe Martin
This little known bay is tucked away between Watercombe and Combe Martin but is worth finding and the effort to get to it because you can easily while away a peaceful afternoon here, making sandcastles, paddling, swimming and exploring the small caves. The point is, it’s so beautiful, and looks more akin to New Zealand than the south coast of England; the sandy beach is backed by wooded cliffs that give shelter from the winds. The drawback, ahem… is the access down to the beach, even if you park in the village; it’s some 240 steps and they still have to be negotiated if you approach it from the South West Coast Path, although that’s nothing if you’re relatively fit. The other option is to paddle over in a canoe or kayak from Watercombe or Combe Martin.
Grunta Beach, Woolacombe
This little cove has to be appreciated for its sheer unspoilt beauty and tranquillity; it’s wild, it’s remote, and it’s rugged, which means people don’t come here much. The beach itself has craggy rocks and at low tide, sand and rockpools, but it’s not particularly good for families as scrambling over those rocks can give the little ones a few scuffs and scrapes. Also, it’s a bit of a hike - the nearest car park is in the village at Mortehoe, or you can walk from Woolacombe, which is further. Where did the name come from? According to local legend, a ship carrying a cargo of pigs ran aground here and the animals cavorted up the beach grunting…
Littlecombe Shoot, Branscombe
Littlecombe Shoot is a sheltered bay just around the corner from Branscombe beach, but if you don’t know where to look, it’s hard to find. Head up over the coast path from Branscombe and keep an eye out for a little gate on the left. Yes, it looks like it leads to someone’s private garden, but it doesn’t. Go through it and you’ll soon find yourselves on an obvious path that zigzags steeply down the cliff – if you meet anyone on their way up, you’re all going to have to breathe in! Use the rope banisters to steady you if you need to and eventually, you’ll come out on a pebble beach, the sea glittering in front of you. Look behind and you’ll see a warren of cabins and shacks nestled in the cliffs; how they got them there is another story.
Woody Bay, Lynton
Back in Victorian times the man who owned Woody Bay hatched an ambitious plan to turn this into an exclusive resort, so he set to, building a pier, railway station and carriage road. The pier was washed away during a storm, and in any case, the project never came to fruition because the owner was sent to prison for using clients’ money to fund the development. You can see why he wanted to do it – Woody Bay is a lovely spot, between Ilfracombe and Lynton, backed by densely wooded cliffs, and there’s a real sense of remoteness here. The beach is a mix of pebbles and shingle with rocks, and if you fancy a swim, well, there’s still a Victorian swimming pool. It actually looks as though it’s formed naturally but there is clear evidence of steps into it. You can park in the NT car park, and then it’s a walk of about a mile through the woods and down a fairly steep zig-zag path down to the beach.
Barricane Bay, Woolacombe
Barricane Bay has made it onto this list, but have to be honest, word has got out there and in the summer months, it’s more popular than you’d expect. This small, secluded cove is tucked away between rocky outcrops but isn’t far at all from the main beach at Woolacombe; it’s good for rockpools and for surfing, and is just a lovely place to hang out, idling along the shore, looking out for cowrie shells that are believed to have been transported by the sea all the way from the Caribbean. Quite a sight in early summer is when a crane arrives to lift the Barricane Beach Café cabin over the wall to the back of the beach; they do ciabattas and cake during the day, and in the evening, a fantastic Sri Lankan curry, to be enjoyed as you watch one of the marvellous sunsets to be seen along this part of the Devon coast.
Lannacombe Beach, East Prawle
Hidden away between Start Point and East Prawle, Lannacombe Beach is like another world; it’s so incredibly peaceful here, so far from the crowds and the busyness of the seaside hotspots along the coast. A huge part of the charm is how remote it is here – remote and rugged and so wild, and surrounded by the natural beauty of the South Devon National Landscape. The beach itself is part rocky, part sandy, with rockpools exposed at low tide. There are no facilities whatsoever, but there are two car parks nearby and if you didn’t have time to pack a picnic, you can go to The Pigs Nose at East Prawle.
Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe
Soar Mill Cove probably won’t remain ‘hidden’ for much longer, as so many people are looking to beat a hasty retreat from the crowds these days, to find somewhere perfect and peaceful, untouched by modern development and commercial activities. They’ll certainly find that here – the only access to the small and sheltered cove is via the coastal path, or down a rough track from Soar Mill Cove Hotel up on the clifftop. If you’re feeling adventurous you could sail or paddle over from Salcombe. Picture a tiny sandy beach, where the waves wash against the rocks, a stream trickles down to the sea, and up behind are the gentle rolling hills of the South Hams; yes, it really is that idyllic.
Gara Rock Beach, East Portlemouth
To get to Gara Rock Beach it’s a 2 mile walk from the NT car park at Mill Bay or a steep 10 minute or so walk from Gara Rock Hotel where the parking is limited. Don’t let that put you off because the exercise and the bracing sea air are so good for you, and besides, the views are spectacular. Find a spot on the sandy beach to spread your beach mat and then settle down to happily pass the hours away; go for a paddle or a swim, sunbathe, pokey about in the rockpools, go off with the kids exploring the little caves and tunnels, have a picnic.
Weston Beach, Sidmouth
Weston Beach is between Sidmouth and Seaton on the East Devon Coast, part of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It’s certainly what you’d call remote, reached only by a long walk through a wooded combe and down a track. People come here to study the flora and fauna, to enjoy the peace and quiet, and to stroll about and sunbathe in the altogether. Yes, it’s partly a naturist beach, or at least the right hand side is reserved for those who prefer to go textile free, but if you ask the locals they say you don’t see a lot of it; well, the shingle and pebbles can’t be ideal. Park in the village or at the farm up on the cliff – either way you’ve still got that steep walk, but if you’re that way inclined when you get to the beach, you can strip off and run free!
Rockham Bay, Mortehoe
To get to Rockham Bay you’ll need to park in the village and walk for about a mile, but it’s a lovely walk and the views are wonderful. It’s best to go at low tide, when a sandy beach with rocky areas is exposed, and there are rockpools to spuddle about in. You can also walk up to Morte Point, the scene of several shipwrecks in years gone by.
Please note: The images shown Devon beaches, but they may not be the exact locations mentioned in the text.