Best Beaches Within 20 Minutes of Kingsbridge
South Devon's coastline is one of the biggest draws of a stay at Wicket View, and the good news is you don't have to travel far to reach it. Here's a proper look at the beaches within easy reach of the cottage. We’re huge fans of a beach day in our family and these are a few of our favourites.
Bantham Beach A wide, sandy beach backed by dunes, Bantham is the pick for anyone wanting space, surf, and a bit of drama in the scenery. It's a popular spot for bodyboarding and beginner surfing, with a river estuary at one end that's good for a gentler paddle if the sea looks too lively. There's a well-loved beach café here for a post-swim coffee or pasty. And if you time the tide right, the rock pools here are full of crabs. Find it here.
Crabbing in Bantham…
Bigbury-on-Sea Bigbury pairs a big, family-friendly beach with the novelty of Burgh Island just offshore — walk across the sand causeway at low tide, or catch the famous sea tractor when the water's in. It's an easy one to build a full morning or afternoon around. We had a great morning in the rock pools here too, we even found a Common Goby. Find it here.
Hope Cove A picturesque, sheltered double-cove village beach, Hope Cove is calmer than the more exposed beaches nearby, making it a good choice with younger children. It also sits at the end of one of the best local coast path walks, from Bolberry Down, so it works well as a lunch stop mid-walk. Find it here.
South Milton Sands / Thurlstone Sands a short drive from Wicket View, South Milton Sands is a great, dog-friendly beach with plenty to see. You’ll find a mix of rock pools and sandy beach. Its a really nice place for a dog walk, not too busy and there is a National Trust car park, so if you’re a member it’s a no brainer. Find it here.
Sunny Cove, near Salcombe Small, sheltered, and set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sunny Cove is a quieter option close to Salcombe — good for calmer water and a more peaceful atmosphere than the bigger beaches. Find it here.
South Sands, Salcombe Backed by the South Devon hills, South Sands has a lovely setting and its own sea tractor connecting it to the passenger ferry — a fun way to arrive if you're combining beach time with a day in Salcombe itself. Find it here.
North Sands, Salcombe This is another firm favourite of ours, time the tide right to have full access to the beach and rock pools. This beach almost vanishes in a high tide, but the Winking Prawn is a must - If you’ve seen the movie “The Roses” this is a spot not to miss. Great food and local drinks on offer too. Find it here.
Rock pooling in North Sands
A note on dogs and seasonal restrictions Several beaches in the area apply seasonal dog restrictions over the summer months, so if you're travelling with your dogs — Wicket View welcomes up to two — it's worth checking current local signage or the council website before you set off, as rules vary beach by beach.
Getting there from Wicket View Every beach on this list sits within roughly a 20-minute drive of the cottage, so it's entirely possible to try a different one each day of your stay without long journeys eating into beach time.
