5 of the best Dartmouth beaches
Fancy dipping a toe in the sea or relaxing in a sheltered cove during your holiday in Dartmouth? We have just the places for you! Our riverside town is close to dozens of sand and shingle bays perfect for a beach day. But if you’re looking for the best Dartmouth beaches here’s the ones we recommend within a short walk or drive from town.
Castle Cove
Looking for a sheltered nook from which to watch the comings and goings of the River Dart? Castle Cove is the perfect spot.
This small tidal beach is nestled at the bottom of the cliffs below Dartmouth Castle and faces out into the English Channel where you’ll be able to spot sailing boats, the Kingswear Castle paddle steamer and plenty of coastal wildlife.
It’s possible to walk to Castle Cove from Dartmouth. Take the road to Dartmouth Castle and the cove is signposted from the small car park. Take the winding footpath down the cliff.
Before you descend make sure you pick up a coffee and slab of cake from the Castle Tearooms. There are public toilets next to the small car park. Dogs are welcome on this beach all year.
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Sugary Cove
Another petite and picturesque beach that’s walkable from Dartmouth town centre is Sugary Cove. However, you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled as it’s easy to miss, especially in the summer months when it is hidden from view by trees.
From Dartmouth Castle walk up to the South West Coast Path that passes through Sugary Green. Before long you’ll spot some steps on the left that take you steeply down towards to the shingle and rock covered beach.
Dogs are welcome all year round. The closest cafe and toilets are back at Dartmouth Castle.
Blackpool Sands
This Blue Flag Dartmouth beach is probably the most photographed in the area. Blackpool Sands is located in a wide bay just outside the village of Stoke Fleming and is a hot spot for family beach days.
In the summer you can hire water sports equipment from the beach shop and jump into the azure waters from the diving platform moored off the beach.
Blackpool Sands is actually made up of fine shingle and stone, but there are two sand pits for castle building if that’s an essential part of your visits to the beach. There are also toilets, showers and disabled toilet facilities as well as a cafe and takeaway.
Parking charges vary throughout the year. Dogs are allowed in the winter months. Check the website for more information.
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Landcombe Cove
This hidden Devon beach just along the coast from Blackpool Sands is a favourite with people who don’t mind a bit of a hike in exchange for quieter surroundings. Landcombe Cove has a generous amount of shingle and is a sheltered sun trap in the summer months.
There’s no parking for this Dartmouth beach so you’ll need to take the South West Coast Path from Strete or Blackpool Sands to reach it. The final part of your walk is down a steep valley, so wear sensible shoes and rationalise your beach bag.
Alternatively, you can reach Landcombe Cove by boat, kayak or paddle board.
There are no facilities at this beach. Dogs are allowed all year round.
Here’s some more coast walks near Dartmouth.
Slapton Sands
As long as you can bag one of the 300 parking spaces along Slapton Sands you’re bound to find a spot on the beach to enjoy incredible views of Start Bay. This sweeping shingle beach near the village of Strete is 1.5 miles long and stretches from the village of Torcross to Strete Gate.
Behind the beach is Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve – a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one of the best places in Devon for birdwatching.
There are car parks at either end of the beach and at Slapton Memorial in the middle. There is a public toilet at the Strete Gate end along with a coffee van. An ice cream van regularly visits the Slapton Memorial car park and there are plenty of places to buy food and drinks at Torcross.
Dogs are allowed all year round.
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More beaches near Dartmouth
If you are looking for more sand and surf take a look at our favourite South Hams beaches. All are within 40 minutes of Dartmouth.
And here’s more things to do during your Dartmouth holiday.
Where to stay in Dartmouth
If we’ve persuaded you to make Dartmouth your next Devon holiday destination let us make some recommendations on places to stay too.
How about a cottage with a sea view?
Get in touch with us to chat through even more choices of holiday cottages in Dartmouth, from dog-friendly holiday homes to cottages for larger families, and Dartmouth accommodation with parking. Or search our Devon self-catering accommodation for yourself.
