Family Favourites - July 2015
We all know about Blackpool Sands but there are lots of other great beaches around and not everyone knows about them!
The Secret Beach - St Mary’s Bay, Brixham. Park at the free Sharkham Point car park and it’s a short walk down to the big sandy beach with good rockpools. It’s surprisingly quiet but with limited facilities so bring a picnic and your pooch as dogs are allowed all year round.
Blue Flag Beach - Breakwater Beach in Brixham, just before Berry Head is a lovely one after school. It can be wonderfully protected from the winds, is great for paddling and also has a small car park and café right by it. Blue Flag beach with disabled access if you need it.
Beach within walking distance of Dartmouth - Sugary Cove by Dartmouth Castle. Follow the footpath around from the castle and bring a picnic or pick up an ice cream from the Castle Tea Rooms. It’s small but perfectly formed and some say as good as any beach in Majorca in the sun!
Best for sandcastles - Hope Cove. It’s a little further afield but a wonderful spot for paddling
The Knot, Hope Cove
and rockpooling and well worth a day trip. At low tide the huge beaches at Inner & Outer Hope are shallow and sandy, safe for the little ones and plenty of perfect sand for making sandcastles. There’s also plenty to climb around the breakwater for the more adventurous ones. Parking nearby and several options for refreshments for parents and children.
Good for Wheels - Goodrington Sands, Paignton. Just behind the beach is the green with lots of long, even, flat tarmac paths which is perfect for scooters and learning to ride a bike. It’s a nice grassy space for kicking around a football or a game of cricket. You will also find a really good playpark there. There’s plenty of parking (though you do have to pay) and several places to buy refreshments. It does get busy in the summer hols.
And for those who are more adventurous and want to build up stamina cross over the road to the Velopark next door to the Clennon Valley, Leisure Centre. This is a smart new 1.5km outdoor closed road circuit – the first of its kind in Devon. Bring your own bikes or there are facilities to hire, including helmet, baby trailer and even recumbent bicycles. It’s cracking value at £6 per hour for family rate (2 adults & 3 juniors), they are open every day 9.30am to 5pm and there’s a good little café too. sports@torbay.gov.uk Tel: 01803 208873)
Good for Activities – Slapton – during weekends in July and throughout the summer holidays,
Slapton Sands
the Slapton Ley Nature Reserve have a Beach Trailer in the Middle Car Park on Slapton Sands from 12 – 4pm where you can take part in activities, crafts and trails. Contact 07967 497624 or www.slnnr.org.uk for more details.
If you don’t fancy the beach then here are a few other ideas.
The quick fix: Local ferries
A simple way to satisfy those young children or grandchildren – look no further than the ferries to Kingswear– higher, lower or passenger – take your choice. It’s the best way to check out what’s moving around on the river and with the promise of an ice cream and a chance to spot the steam train along the towpath it’s sure to win over the young and young at heart.
Or why not take the Castle ferry to the Castle tea rooms for a cup of tea or an ice cream. If you are lucky on the way you might spot a seal, a dolphin or even a Mermaid!
Trailing About:
Mini Polar Bear Trail in Torquay - Living Coasts have sent some colourful mini polar bears to have fun around Torquay’s beautiful harbour and if you filll in the trail sheet or collect one from Living Coasts you can win yourself a chance to be a junior keeper for the day.
Occombe Farm Kids Whodunnit Adventure Trail – Solve the puzzle and unlock the mystery of the giant bone unearthed in the woods at Occombe Farm! Throughout the summer holidays from 25 July to 31 August and even if you don’t want to partake in the trail, it’s a great place to explore, wander and meet the animals. Plenty of parking and a wonderful café. The Coast & Countryside Trust run a number of great kids activities throughout the year; it’s worth checking out their website. www.countryside-trust.org.uk
Dartington Trail - walk from the Cider Press Centre to Totnes – lovely walk along the river and through the trees. Plenty of nature to look out for and as it’s fairly level. It’s ideal for those on wheels and the dogs can enjoy the route too.
First published By The Dart July 2015
