Dog friendly beaches in summer

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A summer beach ban comes into force on May 1 but we don’t have to leave our four-legged friends at home. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the South Hams are dog friendly every day of the year. Just remember to check tide times as some of these natural coves can almost disappear at high water. Here’s a list of of our favourites.

• 1
  

  Slapton Sands

  Torcross, Kingsbridge, TQ7 2TQ

  The sweeping shore of Slapton is spectacular, with great views out to the expansive horizon. It’s less stony up at Strete Gate, at the Dartmouth end, but there are more facilities at the Torcross end. The sea here can be very rough, and storms are legendary, so be careful but enjoy the bracing atmosphere. And of course Slapton Ley behind the beach has a wealth of wildlife to discover. The road between the beach and ley is great to drive or cycle.
• 2
  

  © Humphrey Bolton

  Beesands beach

  Beesands, Kingsbridge, TQ7 2EN

  This mile-long shingle beach is backed by fields and a freshwater lake known as Widdecombe Ley. The ley attracts plenty of birds and wildlife so take your binoculars too. There’s something of a great old-school Devon vibe about this place. Fishing boats still offer up the catch of the day on the village green, there’s a fishing tackle shop, and fresh crab sandwiches are served from a local café. There's a car park next to the beach.
• 3
  

  © Bill Boaden

  Gara Rock beach

  Gara Rock, East Portlemouth, TQ8 8FA

  This beach is always worth a bit of a hike down the cliff if you have the time and energy. Or if not, simply enjoy the stunning views from the top next to the Gara Rock apartments. The coastal path runs straight past here and down to the lovely sandy beach. With so many convenient rocks around there’s usually a secluded spot to be found. And after a walk back up the cliff you can catch your breath on the dog friendly terrace of Coast @ Gara Rock with a superb menu of food and drinks.
• 4
  

  © Glen Denny

  East Portlemouth

  East Portlemouth beaches, East Portlemouth, TQ8 8PU

  East Portlemouth is actually made up of a number of small beaches - Fishermans Cove, Smalls Cove and Mill Bay. All the beaches have shallow water, clean and safe for paddling, and so are very popular with families. And at low tide you’ll find lots of shallow rock pools. There’s on-site parking, disabled access to the beach and disabled toilets. For a more adventurous day you can get the ferry over from Salcombe.
• 5
  

  © Copyright Richard Weymouth and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

  North Sands beach

  North Sands, Salcombe, TQ8 8LD

  Further out of town is the lovely North Sands, set in a secluded valley. Make sure you don’t go at high tide though because the beach is then totally submerged. Very shallow waters make this a safe spot for paddling and doggy swimming. And the wonderful dog friendly Winking Prawn shabby chic beach café serves great food all day. There’s a good-sized car park literally just over the road from the beach.
• 6
  

  © Derek Harper

  Soar Mill Cove beach

  Soar Mill Cove , Salcombe, TQ7 3DS

  This one takes a little more effort, unless you combine it with a visit to the delightful Soar Mill Cove Hotel which is just a five-minute walk from the beach. Otherwise it’s a refreshing half-hour cliff top walk from Hope Cove. Soar Mill is quite secluded and away from the crowds. It’s a beautiful sandy beach with great rock pools.
• 7
  

  © Martin Bodman

  Thurlestone Beach & South Milton Sands

  Thurlestone, Thurlestone, TQ7 3JS

  These beaches are large and sandy, even at high tide and just a short walk from a car park. Park at the top field past the golf course and take a short path past one of the greens to the beach. The larger South Milton Sands, home of the iconic arch-shaped Thurlestone Rock immortalised by Turner, can be approached by parking on the right past the golf course, or at the opposite end in a National Trust car park.
• 8
  

  © Kate Jewell

  Bigbury-on-Sea

  Bigbury, Bigbury on Sea, TQ7 4AZ

  Although restrictions apply to parts of Bigbury during the summer the beach to the right is dog friendly all year round. Bigbury is very accessible for families and the disabled and has lots of parking. And of course there’s the excitement of walking to Burgh Island at low tide and maybe getting cut off and needing to take the sea tractor back. At low tide this is an expansive sandy beach.
• 9
  

  © Derek Harper

  Ayrmer Cove

  Ayrmer Cove , Ringmore

  This pretty and quiet cove is a 20-minute walk from its National Trust car park. It’s a great sandy and shingle beach and very secluded, with plenty of rock pools. Like Wonwell, there are no facilities here so remember to pack a flask and sandwiches. Or malt loaf with cheddar cheese, as my friend who introduced me to this beach always recommends. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat!
• 10
  

  © Derek Harper

  Wonwell beach

  nr Kingston, Bigbury on Sea

  At the mouth of the Erme estuary this one is a favourite of ours. Parking and facilities are virtually non-existent and on a hot summer’s day the adjoining road can get quite grid locked. But it’s worth it for the glorious sand and glistening blue calm water. The river beach starts at the end of the road and, around the coastal path towards Bigbury, is the estuary beach. This unspoilt beach, with rock pools and surrounding countryside, is part of the Flete Estate and one of few remaining privately owned beaches open to the public.
• 11
  

  © Geoffrey Lloyd for reuse under Common Creative Licence

  Goodrington Sands – North Sands

  Goodrington Sands – North Sands, Dartmouth

  The north part of this popular family Paignton spot remains dog friendly throughout the summer. Its sandy beach and calm, clear waters provide a great space to swim and try your hand at water sports. And everything’s available to hire, from sun loungers to pedalos.

  Goodrington Park sits directly behind the beach, and is a great place to spend some time on the boating lake, race in go-karts, play crazy golf or learn about what’s in the beach rock pools at the Seashore Centre. And, of course, there’s Quaywest, the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark with eight water slides, splash pools and a swimming pool.
• 12
  

  © Copyright Nick Potts and licensed for reuse under Creative Common Licence

  Babbacombe beach

  Babbacombe beach, Torquay, TQ1 3LX

  The delightful olde worlde charm of Torquay’s Babbacombe beach is also on limits for our four-legged friends. The shingle beach beneath the cliffs at Babbacombe Downs is an interesting place to walk and explore rock pools. It’s popular with diving groups, fishing enthusiasts and weekend sailors. And a visit to the Cary Arms for a pint, lunch or dinner overlooking the sea afterwards is recommended. This ‘inn on the beach’ has always been dog friendly too.

  The promenade on Babbacombe Downs is known as the highest in England and has spectacular views. And if you don’t feel like walking back up from the beach there’s the famous Babbacombe Cliff Railway to take you to the top.
• 13
  

  © Alan Hunt licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

  Ness Beach

  Ness Beach, Shaldon

  And just over the Teignbridge border is the lovely sheltered Ness Beach. Part of the fun of this beach is its access through a tunnel cut into the steep cliff. Once on the other side there’s a beautiful and expansive sandy beach, especially at low tide when lots of rock pools appear.

  At the car park side of the tunnel there’s a handy shop selling buckets, spades and ice creams, and the Ness pub with panoramic views across to Teignmouth and beyond. And the shouts from the monkeys and lemurs at Shaldon Wildlife Trust add an extra dynamic to the place.