Long Sands

Long Sands stretches along Brixham's waterfront in a way that immediately tells you why locals keep coming back. It's a proper working beach - fishing boats actually use it, families build sandcastles while the tide's out, and there's proper sand underfoot rather than shale or pebbles. The sweep of the bay means you get decent shelter from wind, which makes a difference on blustery Devon days.

Walkers will find the beach useful for a leg-stretch between bigger hikes, but it's not the dramatic clifftop kind of walk you might be after - it's flat, accessible, and you can turn back whenever you fancy. Families with young children will manage fine here; the sand's firm, the water's reasonably safe for paddling, and there's plenty of space even on moderately busy days. Photographers like it for the boats and the light across the bay.

The whole thing's free, naturally. Allow a couple of hours if you're planning to actually settle rather than just pass through. Go mid-week outside school holidays if you want breathing room, though even then it's not rammed.

Geographically, it slots neatly into a caravan park holiday around Brixham - South Bay Holiday Park sits just 1.5 miles up the road, making it an easy walk or quick drive. Hoburne Devon Bay and Waterside Holiday Park are also within striking distance if you're based further afield. It's not dramatic or edgy, but it does the job that a working beach should: it's there when you need it.