Rickham Sand

The walk down to Rickham Sand catches most people off guard. You're shuffling down a proper steep path through gorse and coastal scrub, and then suddenly the beach opens out - a modest crescent of golden sand backed by red sandstone cliffs that glow almost copper in the afternoon light. It's the sort of place where you feel you've stumbled on something the postcards haven't quite ruined yet.

What you get here is quiet. No cafes, no shops, no ranks of deckchairs. Just a decent stretch of sand that's firm enough for walking, rock pools if the tide's out, and enough shelter from the cliffs to make it workable on breezy days. Families with young kids will find it manageable - the beach itself is gentle, though getting down requires reasonable fitness. Walkers love it because the South West Coast Path runs nearby, and you can string together a proper coastal loop if you've got the legs for it.

Allow a couple of hours to make the trip worthwhile, though you could easily spend longer if you're into exploring the rocks or just sitting about reading. Summer weekends get busier, so aim for a weekday or off-season if you want it to yourself. The village of Kingsbridge is your nearest supply run - it's only a few miles inland.

If you're based at Karrageen Caravan & Camping Park, it's about a twenty-minute drive, which makes it a proper half-day excursion. Not a destination in itself, but well worth the detour if you're spending time in South Devon.