Torquay Beaches

Twenty beaches and coves lie along the 22-mile English Riviera coastline. Some are wide, sandy beaches, while others are smaller and secluded. Many of the beaches have won coveted awards for cleanliness and quality.

 

While exploring Torquay’s beaches, the South West Coast Path links many. Stretching from the south side of Brixham to Maidencombe, this walk around the Bay offers excellent and varied walking with spectacular sea views.

You will find beach cafes, watering holes for the thirsty, and a wide variety of flora and fauna for naturalists.

Torbay's coastline offers a wide variety if you like water sports, fishing, boating, or just lazing the day away.
Cafe/refreshments, deck chair/sun beds for hire along the way

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Maidencombe Beach, Maidencombe (Now has a cafe; locals use it for out-of-way places, plus a pub next to the car park)
Type: Sand / Shingle
Access: Generally easy but steep in places.
Bus No: 85 (Maidencombe Cross)
Facilities: Ample parking near the beach, dogs allowed, swimming (safe with care), warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, toilets above Maidencombe beach, cafe/refreshments, deck chair/sun bed hire, public telephone, disabled access.

 

Watcombe Beach, Watcombe (Locals use this as access is challenging, lots of dog walkers make the hike and it's a small beach but not supported by the council anymore and derelict with rock falls)
Type: Sand
Access: Moderate, but steep in places
Disabled Access: Difficult
Bus No: 85 (Maidencombe Cross)
Facilities: Ample parking, dogs allowed, swimming (safe with care), warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, toilets by Watcombe beach. No facilities and derelict buildings.

 

Oddicombe Beach, Babbacombe (Popular for swimming and access via the funicular railway. Dog walking in the winter, plus a stroll to the Cary Arms pub at Babbacombe beach, 300 yards away)
Type: Sand / Shingle
Access: Moderate (cliff lift)
Disabled Access: Difficult
Bus No: 32, 122 (Furrough Cross)
Facilities: Parking available 1/2 mile from Oddicombe beach, dogs banned (May to Sept), swimming (safe with care), warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, first aid post, toilets by Oddicombe beach, baby changing facilities, cafe/refreshments, beach shop, deck chair/sun bed hire, public telephone.

 

Babbacombe Beach, Babbacombe (Steep access down by the road and accessible from Walls Hill through the woods. Dog walkers and Cary Arms pub)

Type: Sand / Shingle
Access: Moderate
Disabled Access: Moderate
Popular For: Fishing off the breakwater and for sailing
Bus No: 32, 85, 122 (St Annes Road)
Facilities: Limited parking near Babbacombe beach, dogs allowed, swimming (safe with care), warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, toilets by Babbacombe beach, cafe/refreshments, deck chair/sun bed hire, public telephone.

 

Ansteys Cove, Torquay (Another steep access. Locals like the cafe and are good for paddle boarding, but it is very rocky and does not have easy cove access.  Ansteys Cove Beach itself is shut due to rockfalls and is hard to access as the walkway has been removed)
Type: Shingle / Rock
Access: Moderate, but steep in places
Disabled Access: Moderate
Bus No: 32, 122 (Palace Hotel)
Facilities: Parking available 1/4 mile from Ansteys Cove, dogs allowed, swimming (safe with care), warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, toilets near Ansteys Cove, cafe/refreshments, beach shop, deck chair/sun bed hire, chalet hire, public telephone.

 

Meadfoot Beach, Torquay (A favourite of locals for paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing and scuba. A great cafe and new public toilets)
Type: Pebble / Sand
Access: Easy
Disabled Access: Moderate
Bus No: X80 (Hesketh Crescent, Kilmorie end)
Facilities: Ample parking near Meadfoot beach, dogs allowed, swimming (safe with care), life-saving equipment, toilets by Meadfoot beach, baby changing facilities, cafe/refreshments, deck chair/sun bed hire, chalet hire, public telephone.

 

Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay (More popular with visitors due to location. Shallow sloping, broad beach, lots of facilities nearby)
Type: Sand
Access: Easy
Disabled Access: Easy
Bus No: 2, 3, 12, 118 (Belgrave Road)
Facilities: Ample parking, dogs banned (May to Sept), swimming (safe with care), warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, first aid post, toilets near Torre Abbey Sands, cafe/refreshments

 

Corbyn Head, Torquay (Used to be the "Speedboat Beach" but not so often used, as parking is tough)
Type – Sand / Shingle
Access – Easy
Bus No – 2, 3, 12, 118, 122 (Torquay Rail Station)
Facilities – Parking 1/4 mile from Corbyn Head, dogs banned, swimming, safe with care, warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, toilets nearby, deck chair/sun bed hire, chalet hire, toilets near Corbyn Head.

 

Hollicombe Beach, Torquay (Known locally as Gas Works Beach. It has a freshwater stream running into it. Is sandy, and access is fair, but parking is again an issue)
Type – Sand
Access – Moderate
Disabled – Moderate access
Bus No – 3, 12, 118, 122 (Hollicombe Gardens)
Facilities – Parking 1 mile from Hollicombe beach, dogs banned, swimming, safe with care, life-saving equipment, toilets by the beach, toilets near Hollicombe beach.

 

Paignton Beach & Preston Beaches (Great expanse of gently sloping beaches, with plenty of parking and facilities, reaching across to Paignton Harbour. Locals swim, kayak, dog walk (Preston end), fish, sail and more...plus surf on strong easterly gales)
Type – Sand
Access – Easy
Disabled – Easy access
Bus No – All services to Paignton Bus Station
Facilities – Ample parking near Paignton beach, dogs banned (May to Sept), swimming, safe with care, warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, first aid post, cafe/refreshments, restaurant, beach shop, deck chair/sun bed hire, public telephone, toilets near Paignton beach.

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Fairy Cove (not well known and a local choice for a bit of snorkelling and some R&R)

Type – Sand beach but rocks immediately to the sea

Access – Easy

Disabled – Easy access

Bus No – All services to Paignton Bus Station

Facilities: None, but plenty of bars, pubs and toilets on the other side of the harbour.

 

Goodrington Sands, Goodrington (Very much like Paignton. A perennial favourite with locals)
Type – Sand
Access – Easy
Disabled – Easy access
Bus No – 4, 118 (Torbay Leisure Centre
Facilities – Ample parking near Goodrington Sands, dogs allowed (North sands in summer), swimming, safe with care, warning flags in operation, toilets near Goodrington Sands, cafe/refreshments, restaurant, beach shop, deck chair/sun bed hire.

 

Broadsands Beach (Very much like Paignton and Goodrignton in sand and slope. A perennial favourite with locals due to the location, lots of parking, facilities and walks over the headland to Elberry Cove, which is very pebbly and used for skiers but no facilities)
Type – Sand
Access – Easy
Disabled – Easy access
Bus No – All services to Paignton & Torquay Bus Station
Facilities – Ample parking near Paignton Beach, dogs allowed, swimming, safe with care, warning flags in operation, life-saving equipment, first aid post, cafe/refreshments, restaurant, beach shop, deck chair/sun bed hire, public telephone, toilets.