fbpx

We'll take care of everything

Top 10 Family Beaches to visit in South Devon

There’s nowhere quite like Devon, for many reasons. For a start, it’s arguably the prettiest county in England, with endless rolling hills, a ruffled blanket of green stretching to the horizon. Secondly, it has some of the finest coastline to be found anywhere in the world. This is no understatement. Here’s our list of the top 10 beaches in Devon!

South Devon has been one of the UK’s top holiday destinations since the days of top hats, corsets, and stiff promenade strolls. The mild, oceanic climate of the South West gives long tropic-like summers. Coupled with its superb beaches this gave rise to its other name—The English Riviera. And that it is.

There are lots and lots of beaches in South Devon—here are the best—to save you time on your South Devon adventure.

 

Dawlish Warren

This one’s on our doorstep at Lady’s Mile. Our local beach, and it’s a good one. Half a mile of pure sand backed by dunes—with a blue flag award. There’s also a 500-acre nature reserve, with rare plants and in autumn, wild fowl from the frozen north flock. They travel to the Exe estuary to enjoy the warmth and shelter. Much like the rest of us.

Dawlish Warren isn’t just a beach. You’ll find all sorts here, including a surf shop, cafés, penny arcade and a pub. It’s a wonderful day out for everyone.

 

Exmouth Beach

Exmouth Beach

Another local beach, just across the estuary from Dawlish. Exmouth is on the cusp of the Jurassic Coast, known for its mysterious fossils.

Exmouth beach is great for families and has two miles of soft sand with watersports hire available. A short walk will see in you in Exmouth town, with a full range of facilities and places to grab a bite. The front also has some classic seaside attractions, including swan boats, which the kids will love.

See Exmouth Beach TripAdvisor

 

Slapton Sands

This one is ironically named, because it’s light shingle. Despite this, it’s still one of the most popular beaches in South Devon—just not fit for sandcastles unfortunately. Slapton Sands is in an arced bar, between the sea and a freshwater lake. Not only does it look picturesque, but it’s place of special ecological interest.

Here, open water has turned to marshy reed beds, and eventually will become woodland. This is known as ecological succession.

The process above has created a unique habitat, favoured by rare flora and fauna—making Slapton a perfect place for wildlife watching.

Although Slapton is small, you’ll find all the facilities you need.

 

South Milton Sands

With its rock arch peeking from the waters, South Milton Sands is the most recognisable beach in South Devon. This isn’t what makes it a go to family beach, that would be the strip of pure golden sand, with seasonal lifeguards and safe swimming.

Plus, it’s a haven for marine wildlife—including dolphins and seals. It’s very exciting for the kids to spot them, if they’re about. Also, at the end of the beach are some rock pools to inspire them. The biodiversity of rock pools is impressive—who knows what they might uncover jetting about in the seaweed.

 

Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands is another shingle beach. However, what it lacks in sand it makes up for in prettiness. Enclosed by lush pine scattered hills in a sheltered bay, it’s one for the cameras, and a mellow place to while away an afternoon.

Whilst it feels a little off the beaten track, it still offers good facilities—including watersports hire and a beach café shop.

 

Teignmouth Beach

Teignmouth Town Beach

This is true English Riviera. A long sandy beach with one of only 50 remaining Victorian piers in the country—still in full working order with all its amusements. It’s the essence of a Great British Seaside holiday.

Because it’s so long, even in the height of summer you’ll find a quiet patch of sand to yourself where the kids can paddle in the sea. There are also family attractions along the front, including a skatepark, play park, and crazy golf. And of course, ice cream huts.

Teignmouth is one of Devon’s gems.

 

Hope Cove Beach

Easily one of Devon’s most wonderful spots. Hope Cove has two sandy beaches, each modestly sized—but family-friendly and part of a little chocolate box village. Hope Cove is in South Devon’s wider Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—and surrounded by rugged cliffs and in summer wildflower flushed headlands.

Here you’ll find a restaurant or two, and a coastal trinket shop to keep you busy after reclining on the beach.

 

Meadfoot Beach Torquay

Close to Agatha Christies Mile in Torquay, Meadfoot is a calm shingle beach popular with families in Torquay. The view is lovely, looking across the expanse of Torbay beyond Shag Rock towards Brixham.

There’s a café at Meadfoot, serving up classic British favourites—but you’re only a moderate walk from Torquay town with everything you could possibly want.

 

Watcombe Beach Torquay

This is lesser known than Meadfoot, and access is tougher. It’s worth it though. Watcombe Beach is like something out of Never Never Land, flanked by steep wooded hillsides—a secret lagoon for your family to explore.

Due to the heavy descent from the car park to the beach café, this isn’t recommended for younger kids. Unless you fancy carrying them.

 

Bantham

Opposite Burgh Island with its Art Deco masterpiece hotel, award-winning Bantham is South Devon’s surfer’s paradise. It’s up there with the best beaches in the country, a huge sandy stretch that often gets big swells. This doesn’t mean it’s not suitable for kids, the shore at Bantham is so gentle the breaks happen further out. Usually there’s a nice distance of kid friendly shallows.

Across the way, nearer Burgh Island is Bigbury-on-Sea. Not quite as imposing a beach, but from here you can take the famous “sea tractor” over to the island—which is mesmerising for kids, as it trundles through the waves.

 

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park

Our family run holiday park in Dawlish is perfectly placed to experience all South Devon has to offer, including the brilliant beaches above.

We’re dedicated to making sure your holiday is fun, comfortable, and one to remember—for all the right reasons.

If you’ve enjoyed reading, why not check out our other blogs here.

30th December 2019

Share:

Related Posts

Request a Call Back

Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.
Lady's Mile Holiday Park
4.3
Based on 2150 reviews
powered by Google
Belle Kennard
Belle Kennard
22:14 14 Aug 22
Me and family come here basically every year and it never gets old. The lodges are amazing as well as the caravans, and when camping there is lots of entertainment! A lot of days there is live music, and they offer lots of games. There are two pools (indoor and outdoor) which both include water slides. There is also an arcade, restaurants and shops on site. It’s not a far walk from the beach and has beautiful scenery. Staff are great too. 10/10 would definitely recommend!
Andy Young
Andy Young
19:26 31 Jul 22
Loved staying here. Its worth drive around the different pitching areas, we came with a tent, to find a quiet spot. Loved the pools, arcades and bakery in the on site shop. It also has great facilities which are cleaned and well looked after. Def worth the 6 hour drive and will be coming again!
L Bull
L Bull
19:27 27 Jul 22
We had a amazing time, the parks are amazing, the pools are good and included, the pump/skate park is good. Lots to do non stop the shop is also well stocked. We loved the live music and fair up the marquee bar it was perfect way to spend a evening.
Michelle Roebuck
Michelle Roebuck
06:24 09 Jul 22
Just had 2 weeks here in a silver birch lodge and it's been amazing. The view is gorgeous from the decking area. The lodge it self is spotlessly clean and spacious The hot tub is a great bonus. Very quiet around the lodge area. The site it self is the best I've ever stayed on, everywhere is immaculately spotlessly clean. The outside pool is great fun. The water was warm but we did have alot of sunshine 🌞.We will be booking for next year definitely
See All Reviews
js_loader

Dawlish Warren Life Saving Club

Dawlish Warren Life Saving club put a plea on Facebook on the 5<sup>th</sup> of April this year for funds to help the club after seeing their fundraising efforts suffer due to covid over the past two years, Dawlish Life Saving Club posted that they faced an uncertain future, Lady’s Mile Holiday Park and Oakcliff Holiday park owner Jason Jeffery contacted the club’s secretary and offered to help and secure the club’s future with a rolling 2-year funding agreement.

Dawlish Warren lifesaving club have been training beach lifeguards, first aiders, and children from age 7 at the Warren for over 55 years. During the summer season and busy bank holidays they provide a voluntary lifeguarding service both independently and alongside the RNLI. As well as suppling lifeguard cover for numerous open water swimming events, Triathlons and even music festivals all over the country.

Jason Jeffery owner of both Lady’s Mile Holiday Park and Oakcliff Holiday park said “we appreciate all the hard work the committee and the members do to keep the beach safe for our guests and local residents over the summer. We are proud to sponsor the club who are keeping our community safe.

Club Chairman Gareth Jones said “Our club is thrilled with our new sponsors, their community values reflect our own and have enabled us to invest in vital lifesaving equipment to help train new lifeguards and save lives on our beautiful beach and the local area.”

Shop Opening Times

Map of Haldon View

Touring and Camping – Map of Haldon View

Map of Meadow Super Pitch

Touring and Camping – Map of Meadow Super Pitch

Map of Electric Grass Camping Pitches

Touring and Camping - Map of Grass Pitches