Bantham beach

The walk down to Bantham is half the appeal. A proper Devon coastal path takes you through fields and past granite outcrops before the beach suddenly opens up - wide, sandy, and backed by the Avon estuary where it spills into the sea. It's the kind of place where the tide really matters; at low water you get acres of firm sand and rock pools that'll keep kids busy for hours. The beach itself faces south, so it catches good sun, and there's enough shelter from the surrounding hills that you're not getting flattened by Atlantic wind.

Walkers will love the approach route, which connects easily to wider South Devon coastal path sections. Families with younger children should time visits for lower tides - the walk down isn't steep but it's not a push-chair route either. Surfers occasionally show up when the swell's right, though it's not a dedicated break. There's a small car park at the top, though it fills quickly in summer.

The beach works brilliantly as part of a broader South Devon coast loop. Kingsbridge sits just inland, so you're not far from cafes and supplies. Both South Devon Camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm and Karrageen Caravan & Camping Park are within a few miles, making Bantham an easy morning or afternoon detour from a park-based holiday. It's the kind of beach that rewards a half-day visit rather than an all-day commitment, but that's actually its strength - you can fit it around other things without it dominating your itinerary.