DISCOVER
South Devon Beaches
Best Beaches & Coastal Walks
features, FACILITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Discover Holcombe & South Devon — The Cottage, The Beaches, Dining Out & Daily Adventures
Guide to South Devon Beaches
Holcombe Beach – A peaceful red-sand and shingle beach set beneath steep cliffs, accessed via Smugglers Lane. Dogs are welcome year-round on the eastern side and across the whole beach during the off-season (1 October to 30 April). Surface: fine red sand with patches of shingle and some rocks, especially at low tide.
Doris Beach – An unmarked, quiet stretch of coast between Holcombe and Teignmouth. This beach remains undeveloped and is usually very quiet. Dogs are welcome all year. Surface: coarse sand and shingle with some natural rock formations.
Teignmouth Beach – A wide, sandy beach that runs alongside the promenade, backed by the historic Grand Pier. Ideal for families and water activities. Dogs are prohibited from 1 May to 30 September on the main section but permitted in designated areas and during the off-season. Surface: firm golden sand.
Shaldon Beach – A sheltered beach on the Teign estuary, popular with paddleboarders and for its views across to Teignmouth. Dogs are welcome year-round. Surface: mix of coarse sand, shingle, and small pebbles.
Ness Cove – A secluded cove accessed via a historic smugglers’ tunnel from Shaldon. Quiet, enclosed and atmospheric. Dogs are allowed all year. Surface: dark red sand with shingle and some rocky outcrops.
Dawlish Warren – A long sandy beach backed by dunes and a nationally important nature reserve. A popular spot for families and walkers. Dogs are not permitted on the main beach from 1 April to 30 September but are allowed on the adjacent stretch known as Groyne 9 all year. Surface: soft pale sand with dune grass further inland.
Maidencombe Beach – A small, scenic cove set beneath red sandstone cliffs. Often quiet, with clear water suitable for swimming and kayaking. Dogs are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September but are welcome during the off-season. Surface: red sand with rocky patches, particularly at low tide.
FROM THE GUEST BOOK
"Enjoyed a superb sunny weekend, making the most of beach walks with our dogs and unwinding at the cottage—no reason to leave at all."
Jo B. May 2024
COTTAGE AND COAST
Sandy stretches, hidden coves, and tides that set the rhythm.
You could spend every day on a different beach, and each would leave you with something else. This part of South Devon has beaches for every kind of day. Teignmouth has a long stretch of sand and shingle, a Victorian pier, and views across the water to the Ness headland. The town has cafés, arcades, and easy parking near the seafront, making it ideal for families or a walk along the prom.
Shaldon sits across the estuary and has a quieter, more sheltered beach. Small boats line the shore, and on still days the water is calm and clear. You can walk from the village to Ness Cove through a smuggler’s tunnel cut into the cliffs. The beach is backed by red sandstone, hidden from the road, and usually peaceful, even in summer.
Dawlish Warren is a large sandy beach backed by dunes and a nature reserve. It’s a good spot for long walks, birdwatching, and swimming. There are RNLI lifeguards during the summer season and facilities nearby, including shops and places to eat.
Holcombe Beach lies between Teignmouth and Dawlish, just below the railway line. Access is down a steep path and through a tunnel under the tracks. At low tide, you can walk the shoreline from here all the way to Teignmouth.
Many of the beaches are tidal, and routes can change depending on sea conditions. Low tide reveals rock pools, sandbars, and longer walking routes. Tide times and sea state are worth checking before setting out. Some you find easily, others you learn about by looking at the tide charts, waiting for the water to retreat. The sea gives and takes, moves the land, and decides the route.
