The English Riviera
The beaches of the English Riviera range from long stretches of golden sand to rocky inlets lapped by quiet waves. There are secluded coves away from the crowds, and the larger sociable beaches for families.
Along the 22 miles of the English Riviera coastline there are no fewer than 24 beaches and coves. Rock pools full of small fish, an abundance of shells, Hermit Crabs scuttling across the sand, just a few of the marine life you will find on these beaches.
Maidencombe
Maidencombe is the English Riviera`s most northerly beach, is accessible by steep steps from the nearby car park. The beach is mostly fine shingle, made even more attractive by the red cliffs towering above it.
Watcombe Beach
Watcombe Beach is another quite, attractive cove, bounded by towering red cliffs, rocky outcrops and thick woodland which reaches almost to the waters edge.
Oddicombe Beach
Oddicombe Beach shares the same pretty bay as Babbacombe Beach. It is accessible on foot or by car, as well as by the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, an adventure in itself. It is a long stretch of beach, with amenities and equipment hire.
Babbacombe Beach
Babbacombe Beach is a sand and shingle beach popular for sailing and fishing off the breakwater. There is steep access from Beach Road with parking, toilets, café, deckchair and sun bed hire. This is a popular beach for divers.
Anstey`s Cove
Anstey`s cove is a delightful spot for amazing views and is ideal to set up a deckchair.
Meadfoot Beach
Meadfoot Beach is long and scenic. It has a car park from where the views across Tor Bay are breathtaking. Just beyond the beach is Thatcher’s Rock, a favourite nesting place for seabirds. Here you will also find toilets and a café.
Torre Abbey Sands
Torre Abbey Sands is Torquay’s most famous stretch of beach; it is overlooked by the historic Torre Abbey meadows. This popular beach offers fine sand and shallow waters, the ideal beach for families. There are cafes, toilets, shops and deckchair hire within easy reach of the beach.
Corbyn Sands
Corbyn Sands is a small beach just south of Torre Abbey Sands, with all the same facilities.
Hollicombe Beach
Hollicombe Beach is Paignton`s most northerly beach, bound at both ends by small rocky promontories. The sands are quiet, without being isolated.
Preston Sands
Preston Sands is at the start of busy Paignton. At low tide you will find rock pools at the northern end, where you can spend the day in search of all sorts of marine creatures. The Marine Parade starts here and further along it joins Paignton promenade that stretches right along the front to Paignton Harbour.
Paignton Sands
Paignton Sands is two beaches divided by the small redcliff headland. The sand itself is a pleasure is ideal for families, the beach shelves gently down to the sea. Behind the sands and the promenade is Paignton Green, a broad sweep of grass that stretches right down to the harbour and is ideal if you want to come of the beach for a picnic. Through out the year this green expanse plays host to various events which include, fun fairs and in the summer a children’s week.
Goodrington Sands
Goodrington Sands, is the next stretch of beach along the coast, it rivals Paignton Sands in its length and beauty. A large sandy beach, with excellent facilities, which include parking, toilets, a first aid centre, pedalo, deckchair and sun bed hire as well as a beach shop This beach is a popular destination for rock pooling at low tide. Near by you will find Quaywest Water Park with its rides and go kart track. It can be reached road or by the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway which stops at Goodrington Halt. Both North and South Goodrington beaches are bounded by a promenade. Behind the northern part of the promenade lies Goodrington Park, with its wide expanses of grass making it a perfect area for a picnic.
Saltern Cove
Saltern Cove is a shingle beach with rock pools, accessible by a steep footpath from a residential area via Oyster Bend. It forms an integral part of the English Riviera Global Geopark
Broadsands Beach
Broadsands beach is a beautiful sweep of fine red sands, between rock headlands. The long promenade is lined with colourful beach huts and gives a level walk to both ends of the beach. This beach is an ideal beach for children. This beach is a favoured starting point for coastal walkers. Facilities include parking, toilets beach huts, deckchair and pedalo hire.
Elberry Cove
Elberry Cove is a well known local beauty spot with a pebble beach that slopes steeply and is surrounded on three sides by woodland. Just offshore a freshwater spring can be seen on calm days bubbling up out of the sea. It is Paignton`s least accessible beach and cannot be reached by
road, with the only means of access on foot along the coastal path from Broadsands. Elbury Cove is generally sheltered from the wind and so it provides excellent conditions for water skiers, and a ski lane is provided in the summer months. Both Elbury and Broadsands are excellent areas for those who wish to do a spot of sea fishing.
Churston Cove
This beautiful little shingle beach is an idyllic spot surrounded by cliffs and woodland it has steep footpath access from Churston or Fishcombe. This is a popular picnic stop for yachts and a good spot to try snorkelling.
CHURSTON COVE BY CHRISTINE ELLIS
Fishcombe Cove
Fishcombe Cove is a shingle beach with footpath access from Fishcombe or Brixham town centre through Battery Gardens.
Breakwater Beach
Breakwater Beach is on the southern out-skirts of Brixham, on the road to Berry Head. It is a pebble beach, bounded at one end by the 90m breakwater that protects the outer harbour. At the harbour end is a car park and the slipway which was built by the Americans for the invasion of France during WW11.
Shoalstone Beach
This gentle shelving shingle beach close to the old fishing port of Brixham affords excellent views across Torbay. Low tide exposes pools, between angled tablets of rock. Immediately behind the beach there is a pleasant green, ideal for picnics .There is an open air sea water swimming pool at the eastern end of the beach. Facilities include parking, toilets, a first aid post and cafes.
St. Mary`s Bay
St. Mary`s Beach is a delightful beach on the other side of Berry Head, tucked in between the Head and Sharkham Point. The beach is long and sandy, backed by high shale cliffs and at low tide rock pools are exposed. The beach is good for swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing. to get there by car, drive down St. Mary`s Road until you arrive at the large car park on Sharkham Point. Then follow the public footpath to the beach. Access to the beach is by steep steps.
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