Explore the coast

Known as the ’English Riviera’, the spectacular coastline near Brownscombe offers up breathtaking views and award-winning beaches. The Bay has 22 miles of unspoilt coastline, and there are over 20 beaches to choose from, ranging from long, sandy stretches to secluded rocky coves.

If you are planning a whole day at the beach, then we highly recommend one of the following:

  • Take the lower ferry to Dartmouth from Kingswear (TQ6 0AA, 10.8 miles from Brownscombe) which is stunning and travel round the headland to Blackpool sands. Have lunch at the Venus cafe. We bought a season ticket for the car park last year, as we were there so often!
  • South Milton Sands is owned by the National Trust and the car park is free if you are a member. Get there early to avoid getting stuck in bad traffic or queuing for the car park. You can take dogs, kayaks, and the water always seems to be warmer here! If you don’t want to have a beach bbq then try to get into The Beach House for fantastic crab or prawns. They also do good ice creams.
  • Go rock-pooling or swimming at Wembury beach, explore the thatched coastal village of Branscombe or the dramatic cliff top at Bolberry Down.
  • SUP  Why not try Standup paddle boarding in Meadfoot Beach in nearby Torbay. Hire is run from the Big Blue Dive School. Meadfoot beach is a great place to stand up paddle board from as you can paddle out to Thatcher’s Rock and Ayers Rock. Big Blue Dive School Meadfoot Beach, Meadfoot Sea Road, Torquay, Torbay TQ1 2LQ.
  • For surfing we really rate Discovery Surf school  (07813 639622) who have a base in Bigbury on Sea – they have got children of all ages standing up really quickly and the waves are more gentle than North Cornwall (they got my daughter to enjoy surfing again after a bad experience in Polzeath!)

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