Between Torquay and Babbacombe sits Anstey’s Cove. Quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful, this small shingle beach is the place to come if you want to escape the crowds. You can rent a deckchair and relax, paddle in the glistening sea, or have a bite to eat at the beach cafe.
Lining the back of the beach is a hillside thick with woodland. Why not follow one of the trails through the trees and along the coast? The English Riviera is part of the South West Coastal Path, and a great walk for all ages is the route from Torquay to Babbacombe, which takes you to Anstey’s Cove and Oddicombe Beach. Don’t forget to look out for the wildlife, rare plants, butterflies and birds on the way.
Coasteering
Anstey’s Cove Beach is also a great place to try your hand at coasteering, an up and coming activity that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted! It combines cliff jumping, swimming and rock climbing – perfect for those in need of an adrenaline rush. If you want to get involved, there are a number of companies who will be able to kit you out with the right equipment before taking you out on a safe but sensational coasteering trip, or you can try out the Geopark Thrillseekers package run by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.
Agatha Christie
Ansteys Cove also has a link with Agatha Christie. The inspiration for the name of Amyas, used in her novel Five Little Pigs, came from a romantic picnic she once had with a gentleman called Amyas Boston at Ansteys Cove!
Whether you’re looking to sit back and relax, or you’re in search of adventure, treat yourself to a fantastic holiday on the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay.