Beesands Beach

Close to Kingsbridge in South Devon, Beesands has got all the right ingredients for a great beach holiday. It’s a mile-long shingle beach backed by fields and a freshwater lake. If you want a taste of old-school Devon life then this is the place to be. Fishing boats still offer up the catch of the day on the village green and the fresh crab sandwiches served locally have to be right at the top of any gastronome’s wish list. To get a real flavour of the West Country, there are a number of guest houses and B&Bs within walking distance of the sands. However, there is more than just sea and sunshine to be enjoyed here.

Award-Winning Beach

Beesands has won two important awards in recent years. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised guarantee of excellence and indicated that Beesands has reached exceptional levels of cleanliness and safety. The Marine Conservation Society has also awarded Beesands a recommendation in the Good Beach Guide, so you know it’s good.

Directly behind the beach are the village green and a large freshwater lake known as Widdecombe Ley. These spots attract plenty of birds and wildlife, so if you like a bit of a ‘twitcher’, pack your binoculars.

Popular Pastimes

Surfing and bodyboarding are popular at Beesands, as are canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. Bantham Surfing Academy isn’t too far, offering tuition and equipment hire for everyone from grommets to hot-doggers (novices to experienced surfers, if you don’t speak ‘surf’). Beesands has a free car park close to the beach and there’s a beach shop and café where you can grab a drink and a light bite and pick up those forgotten beach essentials. There’s also a fishing tackle shop, as Beesands is a popular South West fishing spot, with dabs in plentiful supply.

Near to the beach and on the spectacular National Trust coastal path, is Britannia@The Beach. This rustic café specialises in serving locally caught seafood, including dishes such as Start Bay lobster, hand-dived scallops with garlic butter and delicious seafood platters. For a real taste of the West Country, the café also serves traditional cream teas and home made pasties.