Shaldon Beach

The walk down to Shaldon Beach is half the charm. A steep, narrow lane lined with whitewashed cottages funnels you towards the sea, and when you finally emerge onto the sand, there's a real sense of arrival. The beach itself is small, intimate, backed by red sandstone cliffs that give the whole place a rather distinctive character compared to the broader stretches you'll find further along the Devon coast.

It's a proper working beach. Fishing boats still launch from here, and the village behind it - Shaldon proper - feels lived-in rather than purely tourist-focused. The sand is decent enough, and at low tide you get decent space, but this isn't somewhere to expect endless golden expanses. The cliffs are the real draw, honestly. They're colorful, they're photogenic, and they give the place a sense of drama that flatter beaches lack.

Families will find it manageable as long as children are reasonably mobile - that steep descent isn't ideal with a pushchair. Walkers love it because it connects to proper coastal paths heading towards Torquay and beyond. History types might appreciate the old boat slips and the sense that this has been a working harbor for centuries, not just a holiday destination.

Stay at any of the parks within a few miles - Parkdean Resorts Torquay is closest at under four miles, while Cofton Holidays runs to about five. You'll need your own transport to get here properly, but that's Devon for you. Go at low tide if you want the most beach to walk on.