GROWING up in Devon, the beach was never far away.
Either within walking distance or a short drive and I would have a plethora of to choose from.
After getting a dog as a teenager, this also meant more beach trips and becoming savvy on which beaches allowed furry friends and when.
, alongside and , is also home to the most blue flag beaches in the UK – an award that recognises well-managed and maintained beaches, with excellent bathing conditions.
As a born-and-bred local, I know the south coast of pretty well and have certainly over time, come to love some beaches more than others – these are the ones I rate, and the places to avoid.
Rate: Broadsands Beach, Paignton
I might be biased, as this beach was a huge part of my childhood, but Broadsands Beach is a hidden gem.
At both ends of the beach, there are and then the beach itself is made of the typical red sand found in Devon – due to the soil in the area.
A long runs alongside the beach and there are a few places to grab a bite to eat or a coffee.
Whilst on occasions a lot of seaweed does wash up on the beach, Broadsands does have a blue flag.
Rate: Fairy Cove
Tucked away, at the corner of is Fairy Cove.
With a mix of sand and pebbles, this beach is ideal for getting away from crowds of people for either a or gently walk.
The cove is only accessible via steps at the corner of the harbour, but it does mean there are range of facilities nearby as well as the town within walking distance.
Plus, this beach is year round.
Rate: Preston Sands
Preston Sands is the ideal spot for seeing across the bay.
On one side you can see over to – where, if you are there at night, you will be able to see the twinkling multi-coloured lights of the promenade.
On the other side, you can see across the , with a lighthouse sat on the horizon.
The pier is also nearby for any children who get board playing in the sand, making it great for
And to add to that, the beach has also been awarded a blue flag.
Rate: Torre Abbey Sands
Whilst I do normally avoid this beach in the summer, due to the flocks of families, it does provide a
The beach is long and is directly accessible from the road next to it, where there is plenty of parking.
It is also within walking distance of Torquay Harbour – which is currently undergoing a refresh and has many places to eat.
And Torquay town is also nearby.
Often, a is present on the beach, raking the sand to create some amazing image which can be viewed from the pedestrian bridge, which overhangs the beach above.
This is a great spot for families, that may want to run back to the car or use toilets nearby and what’s even better, is that the beach has a blue flag.
Rate: Beacon Cove
Popular with the famous crime author, Anstey’s Cove is a spot that most people ignore.
Next to the currently , the cove is made up of peoples and has some large concrete steps to sit on and enjoy the view.
What seems just like a , is actually so rich in history.
Agatha Christie nearly drowned here, next to the cove used to be a huge and in some of the rocks you can see the creatures of years gone by.
There is plenty of information boards on the beach to learn about the history, and it is the perfect spot if you don’t want to get caught up in the tourist crowds in Torquay.
Rate: Meadfoot Beach
Located a mile from Torquay Harbour and at the bottom of a row of imposing cliffs, is Meadfoot Beach.
This beach is one of the bigger beaches in the area and sits in front of an open, grass
It is quite sheltered and is a mix of sand and shingle.
The beach also boasts a blue flag.
Rate: Anstey’s Cove
Located in Babbacombe, Anstey’s Cove Beach is a quiet spot with
The beach is made up of shingle, however there are deckchairs available to rent if you want to relax and enjoy the view.
There is also a where visitors can grab light bites or refreshments.
Backing the beach is a large hillside covered in , that can be explored via one of the many trails along the coast.
The cove is also dog-friendly year-round.
Rate: Elberry Cove
Located on the other side of a headland to Broadsands Beach, Elberry Cove could not be more different from its neighbour.
This is made up of pebbles and benefits from clear water.
Perhaps the biggest curiosity of the beach is the ruin at the far end – a former that was three-stories and was used by Lord Churston in the 18th century.
The ground floor would flood when the tide came in, allowing Lord Churston to swim directly into the sea.
In addition, the building featured an early version of a , where seawater was heated by a fire.
Elberry Cove is also dog-friendly year round.
Rate: Churston Cove
A preferred spot for small boats wanting to enjoy a peaceful beach, Churston Cove is a small pebble beach home to some amazingly
It is only a short walk along the coastal path from the harbour and is the ideal spot for some boat and watching, as well as paddleboarding and a dip in the sea.
Rate: Fishcombe Cove
Located next to Churston Cove, is Fishcombe Cove – which tends to be a little busier.
The cove is protected on all sides by tall red cliffs making it a great sheltered spot.
here is really nice, as it feels very safe.
It is also a good spot for
Rate: Brixham Breakwater Beach
Brixham Breakwater is one of the best spots for a walk in the bay area of Devon.
Whilst it can be pretty breezy, the breakwater is home to amazing views and pretty much every time I have been, families of seals lulling about in the water or on nearby pontoons.
The breakwater does have a small beach, which is often quite quiet – but due to it being exposed I would probably steer clear if you are more wanting to soak up the sun or have a
This spot also has a blue flag.
Rate: Dawlish Warren Beach
On the Dawlish Coast, is Dawlish Warren Beach – a long stretch of sand backed by a
This is a great spot for numerous activities including dog walking and .
On rougher days, you will be likely to see several trying to catch a wave.
When the sun is beaming, the beach is also a great spot for families as it has plenty of space and is close to a lot of facilities, including a train station.
Dawlish Warren beach also boasts a blue flag.
Miss: Oddicombe Beach
Oddicombe Beach is home to one of the in the UK.
This unique experience allows you to see across the coast, as you descend to the beach.
However, whilst the old railway is pretty – as a local, this beach is more known for its issues.
Over the years there beach has experienced a lot of rockfalls, meaning the shape of the beach is constantly changing.
Most notably, in 2010, one of the houses on the cliff above the beach fell into the sea, leaving a large landfall of red soil trailing into the water.
Despite all this, the beach does boast a blue flag.
Miss: Dawlish Seafront Beach
Dawlish Seafront Beach on the otherhand, can get quite crowded when it is
Whilst still a great spot for families, if you do want to head there in the nice weather – you may need to arrive early.
Miss: Teignmouth Seafront Beach
Similarly, Teignmouth Seafront Beach can get quite busty when the weather is nice.
If choosing between the beaches in this area, definitely head towards Dawlish Warren.
However, if you don’t mind crowds and want the ease of lots of facilities nearby, both Teignmouth and Dawlish Seafront are good spots for this.
Miss: Livermead Sands
Livermead Sands is located a little bit up from Torre Abbey Sands.
Whilst an okay beach, over the years there have been many issues with rocks falling – meaning there are a lot of warning signs about accessing the beach.
It can also be quite shady, due to theat one end.
One of the benefits of this beach though, is are allowed year round.
Elsewhere in the UK,
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