Beaches on the English Riviera

The English Riviera has some of the best beaches along the South Devon coast. The South Devon coastline offers an ever-changing feast of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, secluded coves, historic viaducts, elevated cliff tops, rockpools and wooded areas. And Devon’s famous English Riviera, a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, is the perfect base to experience it all. The English Riviera has stunning beaches with sparkling clear seas so come on in – the water’s lovely.

Torquay Top Beaches

Discover Torquay's best beaches - from long sandy stretches to small crystal blue coves. The main beach in Torquay is Torre Abbey Sands - a long sandy beach that runs the length of the seafront - perfect for families and a day at the beach, this is a central beach that has it all. Just to the right of Torre Abbey there is the smaller Livermead Beach that's only exposed at low tide - but great for rockpooling. Along the coastline from the main Torquay centre, you will find the stunning Meadfoot Beach below some beautiful cliffs - a great place for paddleboarding or an early morning swim. 

Along from Torquay is the stunning cliffside area of Babbacombe - with breathtaking coastal scenery and crystal blue waters. There are 2 main beaches here, Babbacombe Beach and Oddicombe Beach - a great beach for all ages with the most unique Cliff Railway journey down. Lastly, and well worth a visit is the outstanding Anstey's Cove Beach. This beautiful cove is one of the top beaches around - a great place to enjoy the peace and quiet. 

Paignton Beaches

Paignton's sandy beaches are known to be family favourites - flat long expanses of sandy shores, rockpools and easy access makes for a perfect beach day. Paignton sands is the main beach and the ultimate in family fun. Not only do you have the sand and waves, but a traditional family pier, icecream shops, and the Geopark Play ground all in one area. Just around the headland, you have Preston Sands - another family favourite, with a beach hut-lined promenade, cafes, restaurants, and some low tide rockpools to explore. Fairy Cove at Paignton Harbour is a much smaller sandy beach, popular with dog walkers but a lot quieter if you prefer to be away from the crowds. 

Goodrington Sands further along the coastline is another family favourite. Known for its long sandy beach, it also backs on to the popular Splashdown Waterpark - where kids and adults of all ages can enjoy some exhillerating water slides. Goodrington also has several cafes, restaurants and shops that line the seafront and provide excellent facilities. 

Brixham Beaches

The longest, sandiest beach is Broadsands Beach that lies on the coastline between Paignton and Brixham. A great family beach, it has a car park on site as well as plenty of facilities. Watch and listen as the steam train passes by Broadsands beach on its way to Dartmouth. There is a great stretch of South West Coast Path. You can walk from Broadsands beach to the picturesque Elberry Cove. Elberry Cove is only accessible via walking, and is a beautiful pebble beach perfect for a dip or quiet relaxation spot. Futher along are the two secluded coves of Churston and Fishcombe which are both well worth a visit for the scenery. At Brixham harbour you have the unique Breakwater Beach. One of the cleanest beaches around, it has many an award for its crystal clear waters and is a favourite diving spot. Just along the shore you will find Shoalstone Beach and Swimming Pool - a shingle beach with a unique open water swimming pool that makes this a firm family favourite. 

English Riviera Beach Standards

The English Riviera has many beaches with different settings and facilities. We group them into three standards to help you choose the right place for your visit.  Find everything you need to know here.

Strolling and Hiking along the South West Coast Path

Walking the South West Coast Path is one of the finest ways to get fully immersed in the joys of South Devon’s spectacular marine environment. There are jaw-dropping views, picturesque paths, perfect picnic spots, secluded coves to paddle or swim plus lots of wildlife to spot and photograph.  Look out for pods of dolphins and porpoises out to sea and the curious seals that nose around our rocky outcrops and beaches.  If hiking on the Coast Path is not for you, take it easy and enjoy one of the many coastal cruises that ply the waters of this stunning area.

The South Devon stretch of coastline is around 125 miles long and the South West Coast Path will lead you through many of the area’s lovely towns including the English Riviera with ever-popular Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and Babbacombe.  Further along the coast you’ll discover the ‘yachtie’ towns of Dartmouth and Salcombe to the west and the fascinating seashore towns of Dawlish, Teignmouth and Shaldon to the east.

Beauty and Wildlife

Large stretches of South Devon’s coastline are officially designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  These include the English Riviera’s Brixham and Berry Head plus Dartmouth, Salcombe and round to Wembury.  There are many protected landscapes here with some of the rarest plants, birds and animals as well as some wonderful nature reserves.  Don’t miss renowned Berry Head National Nature Reserve with its jaw-dropping views out to sea, its historic forts and lighthouse and its amazing guillemot colony. You have every chance of spotting pods of dolphins and porpoises from the 200ft cliff top.  There are endless day trips to be had in these special places, all within easy reach of the English Riviera.

Dog Friendly Beaches on the English Riviera

Many of English Riviera's beaches are dog friendly all year round so your beloved family pooch can come too! Whilst some beaches don't allow dogs between 1st April - 30th September, many do have dog friendly areas that will allow dogs all year round. 

England’s Seafood Coast – The Foodie Walk

The English Riviera is England’s Seafood Coast with world-famous Brixham Fish Market providing delicious fresh seafood daily to restaurants and eateries in the South Devon area as well as in the best restaurants in London and Europe.  Discover the delights of the English Riviera renowned for its seafood with the popular 7-day Seafood Coast Walking Itinerary.