Torbay Beaches
Torbay beach guide
Anstey's Cove
This is a popular place for rock climbing followed by a dip in the sea. This was a favourite spot of author Agatha Christie who used to come to the cove for moonlight picnics with her friends. Apparently she once had a romantic encounter with an Amyas Boston whose first name she later for one of the characters in her novel “Five Little Pigs”.
This is a tiny shingle beach, backed by steep rocks. Access is steep in places. There is parking about a quarter of a mile from the beach and dogs are allowed here. There are warning flags on the beach and life saving equipment. Swimming is safe on the whole, but care should be taken. Toilets are nearby and a café and beach shop when deck chairs etc can be hired. There is moderate access for the disabled and for pushchairs.
Babbacombe
This is a small sheltered sand and shingle beach with moderate access down below the promenade. The walk or drive to the beach is down a steep road. There are lots of rock pools to explore. It is popular for swimming, which is safe if care is taken, and for fishing off the breakwater. There are warning flags in operation and life saving equipment is available on the beach. This is also a popular spot for sailing. Parking is limited and there is reasonable access for the disabled. Dogs are allowed on the beach. There are toilets nearby the beach and a café. Deck chairs and sun beds can be hired and there is a public telephone.
Breakwater Beach
This is a shingle beach with easy access for the able-bodied. There is plenty of parking but dogs are banned on the beach. Swimming is safe with care and there are warning flags in operation. Life saving equipment is available and there is a public telephone. Toilets are just by the beach and there is also a café, restaurant and beach shop.
Broadsands
This is a sandy beach with easy access for the disabled. There is plenty of parking here but dogs are banned on the beach. Warning flags are in operation and life saving equipment is available. There is also a first aid post and a public telephone. The toilets are nearby the beach and there is a café and a beach shop where deck chairs etc. can be hired. It is also possible to hire chalets.
Corbyn Head
There is easy access for the disabled on this sand and shingle beach. Parking is about a quarter of a mile away, limited to the roadside, and dogs are banned on the beach. Swimming is safe if attention is paid to the warning flags. Life saving equipment is available and there are toilets nearby. Deck chairs and sun beds may be hired and chalets are also available.
Elberry Cove
The access to this pretty shingle and clear water beach is difficult. There is parking about half a mile from the beach, where dogs are allowed. Swimming is safe if care is taken and life saving equipment is available. Next to the cove are the ruins of the Elberry Bath House. There are some lovely woodland walks around the area in addition to those along the coast.
Fishcombe Cove
Access to this small sand and shingle beach is difficult for the disabled but moderate for others. Parking is limited and dogs are allowed on the beach. Life saving equipment is available and swimming is safe with care. There are toilets by the beach, a café and beach equipment may be hired.
Goodrington Sands
There is ample parking at this sandy beach and easy access for all.
Dogs are allowed on the north sands but banned on the south sands. Warning flags are in operation but swimming is safe with care. Toilets are available by the beach and there is a café, restaurant and shop where beach equipment can be hired.
Hollicombe Beach
The nearest parking is a mile from this sandy beach. There is reasonable access for the disabled here and dogs are banned from the beach. Swimming is safe with care and there is life saving equipment available. Toilets including disabled facilities nearby.
Livermead Beach
This sand and shingle beach is suitable for swimming, water skiing and other water sports. It has typically English, colourful seaside beach huts for hire. There is only limited parking but easy access to the beach.
Maidencombe
This sheltered sand and shingle beach is safe for swimming. Warning flags are in operation and there is life saving equipment. A shop, a café and other amenities are nearby in addition to plenty of car parking at the beach. Access to the beach is generally easy, but steep in places and difficult for the disabled. Dogs are allowed here. There are toilets by beach and disabled toilets nearby. Beach equipment can be hired and there is a public telephone.
Meadfoot
The sand and pebble beach is safe for swimming with care and life saving equipment is available. There is also a public telephone. At low tide there are rock pools to explore. Dogs are restricted on the beach but allowed at the Kilmorie end. There is easy access for most people and moderate access for the disabled. Ample parking is available either on the roadside or in a nearby car park. There is a shop, a café and toilets, with baby changing facilities, on the beach. It is possible to hire beach equipment and chalets.
Oddicombe
The small, sheltered beach at Oddicombe is popular for fishing, although access is quite steep. To make the journey 240 feet down to the beach it is possible to travel on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, which has been operating for almost eighty years. It is a spectacular ride, making for easy access to the beach. This beach has a blue flag and all the usual facilities - shop, cafe, toilets, baby changing facilities and telephone. It is a sand and shingle beach, within walking distance of both St Marychurch and Babbacombe. Car parking is about half a mile from the beach and dogs are banned. Swimming is safe with care and warning flags are in operation. There is life saving equipment on the beach and a first aid post.
Paignton Sands
There is easy access for the disabled to this sandy beach from which dogs are banned. There is ample parking, a café, restaurant and beach shop. Beach equipment can be hired here and swimming is safe with care. Warning flags are in operation and there is life saving equipment and a first aid post. There is also a public telephone. Toilets, including disabled facilities, are close by the beach.
Preston Beach
There is only limited parking at this sandy beach with easy access for the able-bodied. There is also moderate access for the disabled. Dogs are banned here and swimming is safe with attention to the warning flags. Life saving equipment is available and there is a public telephone. Toilets, including disabled facilities are by the beach. There is also a café and beach shop where beach equipment can be hired. It is also possible to hire chalets.
St Marys Bay
St Mary’s Bay has a large sandy beach, with an adjacent swimming pool. There is also a shop and other facilities here. Access is difficult for the disabled but moderate for other beach users. Dogs are allowed here and there is car parking about a quarter of a mile away. Swimming here is safe with care.
Shoalstone Beach
This is a shingle and rock beach with easy access for the able-bodied but not for the disabled. There are rock pools to explore and a 25 metre sea water swimming pool. Only limited parking is available and dogs are allowed on the beach. Swimming is safe with care and lifeguards operate during the summer. In addition there are warning flags and life saving equipment. The toilets by the beach have baby changing facilities. There is a café and beach equipment can be hired.
Torre Abbey Sands
This is a large, sandy beach at low tide. The very shallow water makes it safe for young children and there is good access for both pushchairs and wheelchairs. On road parking is possible or there are multi storey car parks not far away. Cafés, restaurants, shops and hotels are all nearby. Dogs are banned. Swimming is safe with attention to the warning flags. There is life saving equipment and a first aid post on the beach, in addition to a public telephone. Toilets are nearby and beach equipment can be hired.
Watcombe
This sandy beach is safe for swimming. There is limited parking above the beach and the walk down is quite steep. Dogs are allowed on the beach here. There is life saving equipment available and a shop, café and restaurant on the beach. Toilets are close by and deck chairs and sun beds can be hired.
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