The English Riviera has 22 miles of coastline with over 20 beaches and coves. Some are wide sandy and gently sloping, such as Torre Abbey Sands, Goodrington Sands, Paignton Beach and Broadsands. Many are smaller and more secluded, such as Ansteys Cove and Elberry Cove. Several of the beaches hold coveted awards for cleanliness and water quality.

Linking all these beaches is the Coast Path stretching from the south side of Brixham to Maidencombe. This walk around the Bay offers excellent and varied walking, with spectacular sea views, and a wonderful array of attractions. You will find beach cafes and watering holes for the thirsty and a wide variery of flora and fauna for naturalists. If you like water sports, fishing, boating or just lazing the day away, the coast line of Torbay has a wide variety on offer.

1. Maidencombe Beach, Maidencombe
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Generally easy, but steep in places
Bus No.85 (Maidencombe Cross)
Facilities: Ample parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; pubic telephone
Disabled:difficult access; toilets nearby (above beach)

2. Watcombe Beach, Watcombe
Type: Sand
Access: Moderate, but steep in places
Bus No.85 (Moor Lane)
Facilities: Limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire
Disabled: difficult access

3. Oddicombe Beach, Babbacombe
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Moderate (cliff lift)
Bus Nos.32, 122 (Furrough Cross)
Facilities: Parking 1/2 mile from beach; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care;warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets by beach; baby changing facilities;cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone;
Disabled: moderate access; toilets by beach

4. Babbacombe Beach, Babbacombe
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Moderate
Popular for fishing off breakwater, and for sailing
Bus Nos.32, 85, 122 (St.Annes road)
Facilities: limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation, life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone
Disabled: moderate access; toilets by beach

5. Redgate Beach, Torquay (Now Closed)
Type: Sand. Please note, this beach is now closed due to the unstable cliffs above.
Access: Moderate, but steep in places, via Ansteys Cove
Bus Nos.21, 122 (Palace Hotel)
Facilities: parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs banned; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire
Disabled: difficult access; toilets nearby

6. Anstey's Cove, Torquay
Type: Shingle/Rock
Access: Moderate, but steep in places
Bus Nos.32, 122 (Palace Hotel)
Facilities: Parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets nearby; cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone
Disabled: moderate access

7. Meadfoot Beach, Torquay
Type: Pebble/Sand
Access: Easy
Bus No.X80-WN (Hesketh Crescent, Kilmorie end)
Facilities: Ample parking; dogs allowed (kilmorie end); swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; baby changing facilities; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone
Disabled: moderate access

8. Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay
Type: Sand
Access: Easy
Bus Nos.2, 3, 12, 118 (Belgrave Road)
Facilities: Ample parking; Dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets nearby; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone
Disabled: easy access


9. Corbyn Head, Torquay
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Easy
Bus Nos.2, 3, 12, 118, 122 (Torquay Rail Station)
Facilities: Parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets nearby; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire
Disabled: easy access; toilets nearby

10. Hollicombe Beach, Torquay
Type: Sand
Access: Moderate
Bus Nos.3, 12, 118, 122 (Hollicombe Gardens)
Facilities: Parking 1 mile from beach; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach
Disabled: moderate access; toilets nearby


11. Preston Sands, Paignton
Type: Sand
Access: Easy
Bus Nos.3, 12, 118, 122 (Preston sands)
Facilities: Limited parking; Dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone
Disabled: moderate access; toilets nearby

12. Paignton Sands, Paignton
Type: Sand
Access: Easy
Bus No. - all services to Paignton Bus Station
Facilities: Ample parking; dogs banned; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; restaurant; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; public telephone
Disabled: easy access; toilets by beach

13. Goodrington Sands, Goodrington
Type: Sand
Access: Easy
Bus Nos.4, 118 (Torbay Leisure Centre) (North Sands) (South Sands)
Facilities: Ample parking; dogs allowed (north sands);dogs banned (south sands); swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; restaurant; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire
Disabled: easy access; toilets by beach


14. Broadsands Beach, Broadsands
Type: Sand
Access: Easy
Bus Nos.4, 118 (Broadsands Park Road)
Facilities: Ample parking; dogs banned; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; first aid post; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; beach shop; deck chair/sun bed hire; chalet hire; public telephone
Disabled: easy access; toilets by beach


15. Elberry Cove, Broadsands
Type: Shingle
Access: Difficult
Also water-ski lane
Bus No.118 (Broadsands Road)
Facilities: Parking 1/2 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment
Disabled: difficult access


16. Churston Cove, Churston
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Moderate
Bus No.17 (Devon Cottage)
Facilities: Parking 1/2 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care
Disabled: difficult access

17. Fishcombe Cove, Churston
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Moderate
Bus No.17 (Devon Cottage)
Facilities: Limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire
Disabled: difficult access


18. Breakwater Beach, Brixham
Type: Shingle
Access: Easy
Bus No.17 (Breakwater Beach) (on beach)
Facilities: Ample parking; dogs banned on beach; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; toilets by beach; cafe/refreshments; restaurant; beach shop; public telephone
Disabled: difficult access


19. Shoalstone Beach, Brixham
Type: Shingle/Rock
Access: Easy
Also rock pools and sea water swimming pool (25 meters)
Bus No.17 (Shoalstone Beach)
Facilities: Limited parking; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care; warning flags in operation; life saving equipment; lifeguards; toilets by beach; baby changing facilities; cafe/refreshments; deck chair/sun bed hire
Disabled: difficult access

20. St. Mary's Bay, Brixham
Type: Sand/Shingle
Access: Moderate
Bus No.17 (St. Mary's Bay Holiday Camp)
Facilities: Parking 1/4 mile from beach; dogs allowed; swimming, safe with care
Disabled: difficult access