Key Features
- Property code: TARQU
- Preferred changeover day: Friday
- Check in: 4 pm
- Check out: 10 am
- 2 or more bathrooms
- Access statement available
- Near beach
- Central heating
- Parking (see description for details)
- Dishwasher
- Garden or outside space
- Nearby pub or restaurant
- Real fire
- Nearby shop
- Short breaks available
- Tumble dryer
- Village
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Description
It’s a number of factors that make Tarquin really special. Being close to the sea, with lovely panoramic coastal views and a gorgeous golden sandy beach is part of it, but then add in a spacious welcoming home featuring a wonderful light and airy living space and you’ve created a perfect holiday destination. The tastefully furnished open plan living room with patio doors opening onto the sunny south facing terrace, the modern kitchen, spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms all combine to provide the comfortable and relaxing environment so necessary to enjoy a great holiday. In the summer it’s perfect for families, but during the quieter seasons couples and friends can take advantage of all that living space to enjoy coastal walks, deserted beaches and the chance to appreciate the seasonal views and moods of the sea whilst cosying up in the evenings around the log burner.
Tarquin is furnished in an attractive, fresh and contemporary style, with light and airy rooms, (most featuring sea views) together with all the conveniences one expects in a popular holiday home. Being on one level it’s suitable for all age groups and convenient parking for two cars is provided.
NB * Please advise if bringing a dog, at time of booking. PLEASE NOTE: NO DOGS UNDER 12 MONTHS PERMITTED.
Key Features
- Property code: TARQU
- Preferred changeover day: Friday
- Check in: 4 pm
- Check out: 10 am
- 2 or more bathrooms
- Access statement available
- Near beach
- Central heating
- Parking (see description for details)
- Dishwasher
- Garden or outside space
- Nearby pub or restaurant
- Real fire
- Nearby shop
- Short breaks available
- Tumble dryer
- Village
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Description
It’s a number of factors that make Tarquin really special. Being close to the sea, with lovely panoramic coastal views and a gorgeous golden sandy beach is part of it, but then add in a spacious welcoming home featuring a wonderful light and airy living space and you’ve created a perfect holiday destination. The tastefully furnished open plan living room with patio doors opening onto the sunny south facing terrace, the modern kitchen, spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms all combine to provide the comfortable and relaxing environment so necessary to enjoy a great holiday. In the summer it’s perfect for families, but during the quieter seasons couples and friends can take advantage of all that living space to enjoy coastal walks, deserted beaches and the chance to appreciate the seasonal views and moods of the sea whilst cosying up in the evenings around the log burner.
Tarquin is furnished in an attractive, fresh and contemporary style, with light and airy rooms, (most featuring sea views) together with all the conveniences one expects in a popular holiday home. Being on one level it’s suitable for all age groups and convenient parking for two cars is provided.
NB * Please advise if bringing a dog, at time of booking. PLEASE NOTE: NO DOGS UNDER 12 MONTHS PERMITTED.
From rear courtyard garden door to entrance hallway
Doors to open plan living room with L shaped sofa, large armchair, bean bags, large Smart TV and Freeview. Log burner (updated pictures to follow May 2023) and patio doors to the paved terrace.
Dining area with benches and chairs to seat 8
Modern, well equipped Kitchen with ceramic hob, electric oven, fridge/freezer and dishwasher.
Passage way from entrance hallway to
Bedroom 1 with 5ft double bed.
Bathroom with bath, hand basin, WC and heated towel rail.
Bedroom 2 with twin 3 ft zip link beds.
Bedroom 3 with twin 3 ft zip link beds.
Shower room 1 with shower cubicle, hand basin, WC and heated towel rail.
Door from kitchen to west wing
Bedroom 4 with 5ft double bed and Smart TV with DVD.
Shower Room 2 with shower cubicle, hand basin, WC and heated towel rail.
Utility room with sink, microwave, larder fridge, washing machine and tumble dryer.
Sliding patio doors open to sunny paved terrace with extensive sea views. Bistro tables and chairs and bench seat. Steps down to fully enclosed lower terrace with bespoke metal dining table and benches to seat 8. Charcoal Barbecue available. Steps up to wooden decked sun terrace with loungers.
Rear courtyard garden with picnic table and path to parking area.
Bigbury-on-Sea is best known for its proximity to the stunning Burgh Island. Renowned for its art deco hotel which was once frequented by Agatha Christie, the island is easily accessed across the sandy causeway at low tide. The island is open for everyone to explore (with the exception of the hotel and grounds), and it is well worth a walk to the top for its breath-taking views. You can stop for refreshments in the 14th Century smugglers’ haunt, the Pilchard Inn, and if you find yourself cut off by the tide, you can catch a ride on the famous sea tractor back across the water.
Bigbury-on-Sea also has a reputation as a fantastic surf destination. Take the plunge with the Discovery Surf School or simply grab your bucket and spade for some traditional sandcastle action on acres of golden sand, or enjoy a swim in the shallow bathing waters. This is a great family beach with life guards on duty from May to September. You can also bring your dog but there are some restrictions during the summer months.
The village has a small shop for all your essentials, and the Venus Café is a great place to refuel after you have worked up an appetite on the beach.
A holiday cottage in Bigbury-on-Sea is the perfect base to relax, unwind and explore the beautiful South Devon coast at your leisure.
Off road parking in front of garage for 2 cars.
- Included: Bed linen, towels (guests must bring their own beach towels), electricity, central heating, complimentary basket of kiln dried logs available from the end of September to the beginning of May, and high chair.
- Pets: One well behaved dog is welcome. Pet charge £30 per pet per week. Strictly not permitted on furniture or in bedrooms, and must not be left unattended at the property.
- Local facilities: Two sandy beaches within 5 minutes walk. Discovery Surf School on beach. Beach shop 200 yards. Very well stocked local shop in St Ann's Chapel 3 miles. Excellent Venus Cafe on beach. Pubs: The Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island accessible at low water or by seasonal sea tractor and Pickwick Inn at St Ann's Chapel. Golf: Bigbury Golf Course I mile (pay and play). Thurlestone Golf Club 8 miles (handicap certificate required) Modbury 5.5 miles, Kingsbridge 6.5 miles, Salcombe 10 miles.
- No Smoking permitted at this property
- Telephone: Mobile reception poor. WiFi provided.
Venus café - Bigbury on Sea
(Less than a mile)
(16)
Welcoming and friendly, this branch of the Venus café has lots of delicious options for children and adults alike. Homemade Devon burgers, breakfast baps, cakes, coffees and ice creams are available either to eat on the terrace or take away.
The Venus café Warren Road, Bigbury-on-Sea TQ7 4AZ (T: 01548 810141)
Great food
September 2023
Good quality food, freshly cooked. Friendly and helpful staff.
September 2023
A perfect place to get lunch, drinks, ices etc, very pleasant and helpful staff. Would certainly go back.
August 2023
Service is friendly and swift but the standard of fare is poor to average and the prices are high.
August 2023
Very handy beside the toilets. Good range of hot snacks.
June 2023
It’s ok for basics
May 2023
What a fabulous beachside cafe, we just stopped for a cup of tea on an overcast and breezy day at Bigbury-on-Sea. The cup of tea was lovely and what made it even better was the 100% compostable and recyclable cup! Well done Venus!
April 2022
Oh way over priced! Couldn't believe it was £7.24 for a coffee and 2 slices of toast! The lady behind me bought 2 coffees and 2 choc brownies in wrappers - £13.50 !!!
September 2021
Very pleasant and friendly beach side cafe.
June 2021
Great coffee with good view.
July 2018
Good little café next to the beach.
July 2018
A welcome cafe to serve the beach. We enjoyed the coffee and the cheesey chips.
June 2018
The best coffee we had all holiday!
July 2017
April 2017
Reliably great food though very busy at peak times so go early! Also love the Venus at the Dartington Centre.
April 2017
Great burgers! Right by the beach. Busy in the summer but I guess that's a good sign!!
December 2016
The Pilchard Inn
(Less than a mile)
(23)
Reached either by foot across the beach or at high tide by sea tractor, this 700 year old pub once popular with fishermen and smugglers, has wonderful views and is an atmospheric spot to stop for a pint of Pilchard Ale and a baguette. Owned by the Burgh Island hotel, there is also a cafe on the beach level.
The Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea TQ7 4BG (T: 01548 810514)
Delicious food and a fascinating building. Friendly and helpful staff.
October 2023
Lovely pub on burgh island
September 2023
A beautiful, historic building with a real 'glue-pot' atmosphere overlooking a fantastic beach, cut-off when the tide is in. But there the magic ends. The service is slow, the staff are untrained and the sea-tractor cannot be relied upon to show up to ferry customers to the mainland when the tide is in. There appears to be a general lack of interest in the customer. I would not return.
August 2023
Lovely setting. A really old and quaint pub. The menu is short and simple but we had the crevette and crab baguette, and a pasty, which we shared, and it was all delicious. Staff very friendly . Seats outside got filled quickly. I bet it’s very crowded in the school holidays.
July 2023
Friendly and welcoming staff and very good food reasonably priced. Visited twice this week and can recommend.
July 2023
Fantastic fish and chips.
April 2023
Visited for lunch last week, ordered the Crab baguette and was very disappointed. I think it was tinned and had been heavily mixed with mayonnaise!!!! (It could have been anything from tuna to god knows what) it was inedible and not one of the staff enquired why i’d Left it. Not my favourite pub in the world, it could be so much better. I’m from Cornwall and used to wonderful fresh crab ???? and we wouldn’t dream of mixing with mayonnaise. Worth a look at the pub but save your money for the oyster shack
October 2020
Loved this quaint little pub excellent food, I think the bar manager could use a few more people skills as he can come across as very curt on first impressions, but we visited a few times and enjoyed it very much.
October 2020
Much more friendly since it was taken over a few years ago worth the walk over
February 2020
very welcoming
January 2020
Great pub, lovely location. The menu was limited and food was disappointing
October 2019
Miserable staff.
September 2019
A unique pub and cafe because of the location and the character of the building; outdoors it provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy the view and watch the world go by, especially on the famous sea tractor.We enjoyed a drink in the pub, prepared to pay a bit extra for the experience, and would certainly return.
September 2019
Over the years this has become more and more expensive. Staff could be friendlier and more behind the bar would be helpful. People have to wait in the queue just to get a £1 refund on a plastic glass.
September 2018
It was clearly almost too much bother for the barman to serve me. And beer and white wine served in plastic ‘glasses ‘. We didn’t go back.
July 2018
Pleasant place for a drink on a sunny day. Very quaint.
June 2018
RidIculously expensive
May 2018
Very disappointed. Felt as if we were a tolerated rather than welcomed. Signs forbidding entrance to one of the bars and when we walked into the only permitted bar the staff member couldn't get back to his own coffee and conversation quick enough.
November 2017
Would be nice if it stayed open for a drink in the evening.
August 2017
Overpriced food, felt very unwelcome as only as small section of the pub is available to non-residents, so you are made to feel like second class citizens.
June 2017
Very atmospheric tho the food is limited with sandwiches being brought down from the hotel so you can't ask, for example, for cheese and chutney without the chutney for fussy children! Having spent many holidays in Bigbury on Sea no visit is complete without a wander over to The Pilchard at low tide. Parents can sit above the beach and watch the small ones rockpooling in safety. Its magic!
April 2017
Lovely old pub over looking the beach and water but service inefficient
April 2017
Proper smugglers' tavern in a brilliant location. We sat outside in the sun while the kids played down on the beach. Perfect! Didn't try the food.
December 2016
The Gastrobus
(Less than a mile)
(20)
A great mobile café selling high quality burgers, breakfast baps and other light meals, cakes, coffees and ice creams in an idyllic location next to Bantham Beach. Open every day, weather permitting.
The Gastrobus, Bantham Beach, Bantham TQ7 3AN
Good coffee in an unexpected location
April 2024
Enjoyed cuppa and cake here.
July 2023
Great food but had to wait 35 minutes for our burgers.
July 2023
Excellent coffee on the beach.
June 2022
Overpriced
May 2022
What a find, lovely staff and delicious food and so nice to see such a choice.
May 2022
Lovely friendly guys at this gastropub!
September 2021
Definitely worth the walk from Thurleston along the SW Coastal Path, approximately 40 minutes. Food was excellent, freshly cooked and delicious with some good vegetarian options too.
September 2019
Great coffee and snacks.
July 2019
Excellent food, although service might be slow if busy. Nice to easily buy food and drinks so close to the beach
June 2019
Lovely food and coffee from great people. The coronation chicken and asian slaw sandwich is definitely a candidate for the best sandwich ever. Thanks
June 2019
An excellent bar - staff friendly and gourmet burgers. Well worth a visit
October 2018
Great street food. Hot sandwiches cooked to order. Brilliant.
June 2018
Great Gluten Free Food on the beach!
June 2018
Great gastrobus the cakes & food looked fab, we went for local ice creams which were very delicious & good choice of flavours
November 2017
Very friendly staff, lovely selection of delicious snacks
June 2017
Cream teas in a box to enjoy on the beach - awesome! Every beach should have one!
June 2017
Great location, good food and definitely worth a visit
May 2017
Great coffee, great location, great food. Perfect!
December 2016
AMAZING burgers!!!
December 2016
The Journey's End Inn
(Less than a mile)
(27)
A good combination of friendly village local and destination food pub with plenty of space including a large beer garden for summer and cosy open fires in winter. The chef draws on his travels to create high quality British and Thai cuisine along with tempting deserts and healthy kids' options.
The Journeys End Inn Ringmore, Kingsbridge TQ7 4HL (T: 01548 810205)
We had such an amazing Sunday lunch here! Table of 13, the food amazing and the service was impeccable. Paul the host ensured we had such a lovely experience, he even introduced us all to Pashmak which the children (and adults!) loved. A lovely lunch to remember on such a special holiday.
October 2023
Essential to book well in advance as always busy.We did not book and were unable to get in.
September 2023
Fantastic Sunday lunch
September 2023
A wonderful, real pub. Can recommend the delicious Sunday Roasts.
September 2023
Loved the food here , the best we had we keep coming .
August 2023
Weren't able to secure a booking during our stay as it's a very popular place, so advise pre-booking before you arrive!
July 2023
Tried twice to book but could not accommodate us. Need to book well in advance. Spoker to other gusts and they were full of praise.
July 2023
Book early for evening meals and Sunday lunch. Very friendly atmosphere and welcome to dogs. Garden has improved massively in recent years. Ale and food as good as ever. Nice mix of locals and regulars.
June 2023
This is our favourite place for a meal in the area. Fantastic food and amazing atmosphere.
June 2022
Excellent food and beer and a friendly welcome
April 2022
A brilliant,lauthentic 13th century pub, great food and ales straight out of the barrel, a MUST visit
March 2022
Friendly pub but menu could be more varied
October 2021
Best meal of our holiday. Very good food, well presented at a reasonable price. Good atmosphere and service too.
September 2021
Oh my!!!! If you can get a table here the food is fantastic!!! You need to book well in advance. It is dog friendly and very cosy inside. Highly recommend
August 2021
Amazing food.Lovely pub. Brilliant Sunday lunch. Very friendly. Loved it. We ate there 3 times and it was always excellent.
August 2021
Welcoming pretty pub with excellent service. Delicious lunch in the gorgeous back beer garden. A few more shading umbrellas would be have been good though.
July 2021
Friendly and welcoming!
November 2020
Really atmospheric pub with really nice food, very welcoming staff
October 2020
Lovely accommodation and Bigbury is a lovely beach to watch the windsurfers and you can also hire. Narrow lanes so be prepared to reverse..........quite a lot as tractors use the lanes as well. A very enjoyable holiday, thank you.
September 2020
Very rustic atmosphere with kegged ales on racks. Lots of history abut the place with friendly staff and a good range of bar meals. You must book well in advance
August 2020
A lovely pub and they made us and our dogs very welcome. The food is excellent.
June 2019
Walk from car park is very steep for those with mobility issues. Even worse returning in the dark , no street lights. Not being locals we were unaware that the road went around in a loop! Food good.
September 2018
We always enjoy a visit to the Journey's End. Excellent, well kept real ale, and, if we liked cider, would probably add a similar comment about that. Good food, using excellent local seasonal ingredients. The menu caters for a wide range of tastes and ages. Dogs welcome. Problem is booking a table, especially for a large family.
September 2018
This delightful quintessentially 'olde world' country pub would make a good destination for lunch after a morning down at Ayrmer Cove. There's a link between the pub and the play of the same name written in 1928 by the writer RC Sherriff. Have a stroll around the impossibly pretty village of Ringmore and don't leave without visiting the 13th century church of All Hallows, where there's a magnificent and rare medieval wall painting.
September 2017
Fabulous country pub excellent food, service and ale a wonderful experience chef here is exceptional
July 2017
It looks so beautiful from the pictures, well it could be, under electric box cupboard and the dining room windowsill the cobwebs where that big we had clean them away. The bedroom with 3/4 bed was only big enough to house the bed no room either side. The armchair in the living room wasn't good to sit in it had collapsed & every time you sat in it you fell through it. Towels didn't smell fresh had to wash them before we could use them.
June 2017
Our favourite pub, ever, in the world (and we've been around a bit!) We return again and again and again! The noodle dishes are amazing; I always promise myself I'll try something different but still keep gorging on noodles! Very excited to actually be staying in Ringmore this time round (usually we are in Bigbury on Sea) so plan lots of meals here! The beer battered cod was great too and nearly defeated a ravenous young chap - no mean feat! The building itself is brilliant with lots of little rooms and a great atmosphere. When we were there last they were setting up a pizza oven in the garden...can't wait to go back and try it! Yum yum!
April 2017
The Sloop Inn
(2 miles)
(48)
This historic pub, full of period features in the pretty village of Bantham, is a great spot to enjoy well-cooked classic meals or a pint after a day spent on the beach or walking the South West Coast Path. Menu’s change on a daily basis and children and dogs are welcome.
The Sloop Inn , Bantham TQ7 3AJ (T: 01548 560489)
The Sloop was first class as ever - recommend sitting at front if you have a choice
April 2024
A friendly and accommodating pub ideal to stop mid-walk. Good food and drink
April 2024
A definite stop off pint on the way back from the beach, warm and welcoming, good food and friendly atmosphere, we were always made to feel very welcome, highly recommended.
March 2024
Fantastic pub serving delicious food!
January 2024
Very welcoming. Very good beer. Excellent food. Highly recommended.
November 2023
A brilliant pub! Very welcoming with good food and drinks.
September 2023
Lovely atmosphere and very good food. Umfortunately they onloy had one chef on and we had to wait for over an hour between courses. They did deduct the 19% service charge.
July 2023
Very friendly and helpful staff.excellent food
June 2023
Nice pub, good food dog friendly - the drive from Thurlestone very interesting, very narrow lanes!
May 2023
Absolutely five star - friendly, helpful and efficient staff and excellent food - our party of ten all had something different and all proclaimed the food superb. Do go!
August 2022
Great place to eat in the evening. Dog friendly and only a ten minute stroll from the cottage. Best to book in advance though
July 2022
Lovely pub, good food at reasonable prices and friendly staff.
July 2022
Great place for a relaxed family meal and nice atmosphere
June 2022
Had a better meal this year. Worth a visit.
June 2022
Best food and atmosphere in the area
May 2022
Overpriced and bar staff unfriendly.
April 2022
Great pub/atmosphere. Excellent food, well priced.
April 2022
We decided not to eat at the pub although the menu sounded good because it is no longer like a village pub, especially the back of the pub that looks like a cafe.
April 2022
Excellent food and friendly staff.
November 2021
Visited twice. Enjoyed the courtyard first time and then a lunchtime meal inside on our second visit. Lovely ploughman’s
October 2021
Very friendly, and well-run pub, with good choice of food at reasonable prices - recommend the fish and chips
October 2021
Lovely meal at this pub. I had booked in advance at 2pm but got there at 1pm and they were happy to serve me outside as it was a lovely day.
September 2021
Love this pub, friend stay, lovely food. Limited on parking spaces, so plan ahead as parking can be a little tricky
May 2021
Excellent beer, food okay but the pub devoid of atmosphere due in part due to corona restrictions and woodburner/fire was not having been lit. On the occasions we visited we found our table very close to the table of other diners despite corona restrictions
October 2020
Excellent food, beer and service.
October 2020
We visited in Sept 2020 and the Covid measures were impressive but did not spoil our evenings. Great food - from fish and chips to crab starters and duck confit - all exceptional.
September 2020
Love the Sloop. Always a warm welcome. Good beer and good, reasonably priced food.
November 2019
Nice pub only stopped for a Coffee but they were welcoming and nicely done inside
October 2019
Great local country pub with excellent food and atmosphere.
September 2019
I’ve been visiting Sloop Inn for the last five years and it just gets better every year, very friendly staff, good drinks selection and food menu that offers great seaside pub classics definitely worth a visit
June 2019
We had excellent service and a lovely meal for 8 on New Years Eve. All the food arrived at the same time and hot! Everyone enjoyed their food and service was with a smile and efficient. Recommend.
January 2019
Had a fantastic meal here - great pub grub with a brilliant atmosphere!
November 2018
Great local pub, with excellent food and pleasant staff. The added bonus of being dog friendly was great too. A great selection of local and national ales and ciders. Thank you, for a great stay, and food.
October 2018
Wonderful local pub. Great food, ales and ambiance- perfect.
October 2018
We loved this pub, and they do a great takeaway too!
July 2018
Very friendly pub with good food, large dining room and tables outside in a neat little yard. Dog friendly. Grea location and would certainly go back
July 2018
Excellent pub, lovely food, great atmosphere and very welcoming - even to our large noisy group - had a great evening here. Dogs welcomed too !
November 2017
Beautiful pub inside and out -clever blend of old and new decor and furnishings without being too rustic. Very welcoming and polite staff and great food. Car parking to rear. Best place on our Devon week. Will definitely return. Thank you.
September 2017
The biggest fish and chips ever and lovely too really enjoyed our meal here
July 2017
Lovely waitresses, good solid food, not so friendly bar staff
June 2017
Lovely pub, the restaurant has been recently refurbished and has a lovely modern feel. Both the food and service were excellent.
June 2017
Good menu and food though the pub is a bit tatty, however, they are doing a refurbishment in May so this might improve it.
May 2017
We have been going to the Sloop for many years and enjoyed the food. However, this year..on Easter Monday...having booked a table for 9 people at 6.30pm...we tried to order food and almost everything was sold out. This was extremely disappointing and rather spoilt our stay. We left and went to a nearby restaurant which wss very pleasant and had almost everything on the menu. We were told that the Sloop had been busier than usual and had been unable to get further supplies due to the holiday. This has been the same situation for the last 15 yrs we have been going there and we havent had this problem before. Very disappointing.
April 2017
First rate sandwiches, very good and friendly service.
April 2017
Obviously a decent 'local' with good beer, a reasonable menu (with a small choice for vegetarians) and obliging staff - once you can get to the bar past the rather loud, clustered regulars ... It was a shame that the only vegetarian starter was 'off' when we visited, but in retrospect we ate very well and would probably have regretted it anyway. The food we received was very good - no complaints at all.
April 2017
Back to the Sloop for burgers. Good portions, nicely presented. Great value. Always a good atmostphere and they are renovating the restaurant so should be even better.
April 2017
A wonderful Sunday lunch - all it should be, in a relaxed and untarted-up - honest pub.
March 2017
Brilliant pub. Love the village so much and spent every night in here during our stay. Great pub food, dogs welcome and a cosy fire. Want to come back now please!!!
December 2016
Discovery Surf School
(Less than a mile)
(4)
Based at Bigbury-on-Sea and Challaborough Bay, Discovery Surf is a fun, friendly and professional environment where the team always have a smile and a word of encouragement to go with their expert tuition. Providing the opportunity to quite literally interact with South Devon’s primary asset - the environment - they offer lessons, courses and equipment hire, as well as Stand Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking.
Click here for further details
Enjoy £10 off any booking of 4 people or more with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card
Kids and wife superbly looked after by Anneka and the team. Really supportive & encouraging teachers and really help cement the joy of surfing for all involved. We'll be coming back again for sure!
August 2023
Really helpful crew of folk
July 2021
Excellent lesson in tough conditions on a windy down a Bigbury, really clear instruction, great place to srat and get in to surfing
December 2016
Had a great lesson with Discovery Surf. Two hours on the Sedgewell side of Bigbury Beach. All equipment provided, the guys really knew their stuff and we were on our feet in no time. Such a buzz, definitely recommend trying it out if you've not surfed before or want to build up your confidence in the sea.
December 2016
ABC Watersports
(Less than a mile)
ABC Watersports aims to make watersports accessible to everyone, whatever your age, ability or confidence level. A local company using highly qualified paddlesport instructors, ABC Watersports offers professional guided trips, lessons and hire using paddleboards and kayaks. Perfect for families and all age groups, what better way to get out on the water and explore the West Country's breathtaking scenery ?
Click here for further details
Bigbury Golf Club
(2 miles)
(3)
A friendly cliff top golf course close to Kingsbridge, Bigbury Golf Club is a links course with spectacular views of the South Devon coast. It is an 18-hole course where you can play as an individual or as part of a group. It’s 6,035 yards for men, 5,544 for ladies and par is 70 and 73 respectively. There’s a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, but remember that dress should be smart/casual at all times, and in the clubhouse they ask that you don’t wear golf shoes, hats, untailored shorts, general beach wear, collarless tee shirts and non-golf sportswear like tracksuits and rugby shirts. The club offers rates for groups of 6-14 and society golf days for numbers over 14. Green fees are seasonal and depend on the time of day that you’re visiting so keep an eye on the website for full details.
Click here for further details
Hubby enjoyed his golf afternoon & was lucky to play with two members who kindly agreed to let him join them. Idyllic setting and very welcoming staff and members.
October 2021
Good course to play. Very hilly on the front 9. Don't forget the VIP card for the discount. You can book tee times on their website. Take plenty of balls if it's windy. ????
June 2017
Friendly and a lovely course, with great views. Tricky in any wind!
May 2017
SUP Away
(2 miles)
SUP Away, based in the heart of the South Hams in Devon, offers Stand Up Paddle Board hire to anyone looking to explore the beauty of the area on the water. They offer the complete service – not only delivering your boards direct to your holiday cottage but also giving advice on where to go on your adventure.
Click here for further details
Bantham Surfing Academy
(2 miles)
(6)
Operating from the car park at postcard perfect surfer’s paradise Bantham Beach, Bantham Surfing Academy is run by experienced SurfingGB qualified instructors who offer tuition and coaching for all levels, including beginners, as well as supervised surfing sessions and a Kids Club. In addition to surfing lessons, the team offer Stand Up Paddle Boarding lessons, hire and tours around Burgh Island and the River Avon, and lifeguard and surf instructor tuition and qualifications.
Click here for further details
two of grandchildren had surfing lessons which they enjoyed.
August 2023
The surf lesson was great however the customer service & facilities at the beach were found wanting. The changing room was in the sand dune at the back of the container!
September 2021
Had asked to hire a board last week and the guy suggested that I arrived at 10am. I did, I waited forty minutes. No show. Apparently, we were informed this happens and even to people who have paid in advance for lessons.
October 2020
Really friendly, relaxed helpful people with good equipment.
July 2019
Amazing!!!
July 2018
My granddaughter had expert tuition and was so thrilled to be able to stand on her board. She was well looked after (5yrs)
August 2017
Bigbury on Sea
(Less than a mile)
(36)
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has visited that Bigbury on Sea is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Perfect for sand castles and rock pooling as well as tucking into lengthy summer picnics, it is an unusual beach to visit because the tide comes in from both sides. As a result, it is an endless source of fascination for children, not least for its sea tractor which provides transport from one end of the beach to the other in order to reach Burgh Island. Burgh Island is connected to mainland England by the beach alone, it’s home to the famous art deco Burgh Island Hotel which has hosted Agatha Christie and Noel Coward since its incarnation in 1929, and has even made an appearance in the TV adaptation of Christie’s Poirot. On a practical note there is on-site parking available close to the beach with daily charges from £3.50. Toilets and shower facilities with disabled access are also nearby, and lifeguards are present from May to September. The Venus café offers teas, coffees and other refreshments including the ice creams that are of such fundamental importance for a day at the beach. Meanwhile, dog lovers will be pleased to know that four legged friends are welcome at Bigbury on Sea, but restrictions apply from 1st May until 30th September. Ultimately, Bigbury on Sea is a supremely beautiful location and fun family day out with abundant wildlife to enjoy and coastal footpaths to explore as well, making it a wonderful destination to visit on holiday in Devon, no matter what time of the year it is.
Great beach dogs allowed it's our favourite beach in south Devon
September 2023
Absolutely world class beaches around bigbury and bantham,stunning at all times.
September 2023
Fabulous sandy beach with good cafe and toilets. Advisable to get there early as parking can be an issue.
September 2023
Lovely area to visit our grandchildren loved it for body boarding. It was safe for them and also had RNLI lifeguards present. A trip on the sea tractor was quite a highlight for them.
August 2023
A beautiful beach, soo close to our holiday accommodation we could go home for lunch. Just ass well because the beach cafe is overpriced and very average.
August 2023
Great beach especially for children. Ample parking, cafe, surf shop and very clean free toilets
August 2023
Favourite sandy beach, part dog friendly over summer,
July 2023
Wonderful place, lovely walk to Burgh Island and up to top.
July 2023
A delightful spot and good water sport activities. Burgh Island is a must.
July 2023
Fabulous convergence of two tides and wonderful beaches. Beach Barista on the Bigbury side selling great coffee and ice cream. Beach shop very handy for topping up on beach gear.
June 2023
Get there early to get a car parking space. Great location for families
May 2023
Loved this beach we spent a lot of time here. Plus side - the car park machines don’t work and it was impossible to pay via the App. The parking attendant told us not to worry about trying! Minus - very smelly toilets.
August 2022
Excellent beach for all the family with dog friendly sections. Massive sandy beach when tide out. Cafe and toilets above beach. Paying for car park very difficult unless you have coins.
August 2022
Fantastic beach! The walks we had at low tide were amazing. Especially when we walked along the river looking over to Bantham.
July 2022
Wonderful beach at low tide. Great spot.
October 2021
A tranquil, enchanting destination for families and dogs alike. Away from the hustle and bustle , outstanding views, fabulous beach for walkers and bathers.
August 2021
Amazing beach and in our opinion the best in the area. Great cafe and surf shop where we hired SUPs. Visited most days and was always impressed. Visit in the evening for a beautiful sunset too. Walking over to the island and exploring there is also worth it.
August 2021
Clean and safe
July 2021
A beautiful location, and just the right amount of facilities. The roads to Bigbury can sometimes be a challenge due to narrowness, but it's worth it when you get here.
June 2021
What a really stunning beach, well worth the trip round the estuary from Noss Mayo. Gorgeous sand and very dog friendly. Worth having a coffee at the Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island.
May 2021
Beautiful location, lovely large sandy beach. If you go across to Burgh Island when the tide is out be warned the prices at Pilchard's Inn are extortionate!
May 2021
We have visited Bigbury and Burgh Island over many years, and it never disappoints; the picturesque environment does much to enhance the holiday atmosphere, and meets the needs of a relaxed holiday.This year, we enjoyed the wonderful experience of cream tea and cocktails at the famous hotel at a very reasonable price; we booked in advance, were driven to the entrance via the hotel transport, and sea tractor back - perfect afternoon!
September 2019
Bigbury bay which I have visited since a child and an amazing beach for all the family.
August 2019
Wonderful - with greats loos & cafes. The Beach Barista coffee is also great!
August 2019
Really lovely sandy beach, perfect for young families as the water stays shallow and the dog can join you in certain areas too, so makes for an all round great day out!
July 2019
Excellent beach for small children. Very clean. The sea tractor gave it an added dimension. Our 2 year old granddaughter loved riding on it!
June 2019
Fab, sand spit beach, covered at high tide, access to Burgh island. An absolute must.
July 2018
Gorgeous beach - very large and areas suitable for dogs. Check tides before you go. Walk over to Burgh island is great. Good toilets and shop - very clean.
July 2018
Wonderful beach and great view of Burgh Island and the marvellous hotel.
July 2018
Perfect
June 2018
Spent a happy afternoon watching the sea.
May 2018
Perfect location. Excellent to walk across the tombolo and explore the island. Very safe for dogs. We visited on a very sunny day in April and were lucky to get a free parking spot right by the slipway. Views from the top are wonderful. Watching the waves meet from both directions is fascinating.
April 2018
Great beach for walking the dog - only part of the beach is restricted. Not overcrowded as we visited out of season and some lovely views in all directions.
September 2017
Lovely place. Child friendly with fantastic views. Only downside is the dogs that are allowed on. It can get very busy in high season and the dogs can be a pain if running loose especially if you have got little ones. We have got a dog so it's not because we aren't dog lovers!
July 2017
Rather run down and disappointing that visitors are made to feel rather unwanted with only a small section of the pub open to non-residents and the hotel off limits completely to non-residents. View from the top lovely, but I wouldn't drive miles and miles to visit. What attracted me was the parting of the sea and that was a lovely view
June 2017
Fantastic unique place with sea both sides of the beach when the tide is out and Burgh Island to walk to with a lovely old pub but inefficient service.
April 2017
Bantham Beach
(Less than a mile)
(15)
What an amazing beach, perfect for doggy adventures, love it love it love it, the river beach is especially nice
March 2024
Lovely beach but no dog's allowed
September 2023
Lovely beach and walk over cliffs to Thurlestone. Beautiful views.
July 2023
One of the most beautiful and relaxing places on earth.
June 2023
Worth the £4.50 to park for the afternoon plenty of walking and rock pools to explore, a good wide sandy beach for people with children
April 2022
Great beach particularly at low tide
October 2021
The most extaordinary place and great for kids. Lots to see and do - great sand and very shallow waters so very safe. if you get a chance to go on the water tractor that is great.. and do visit the Pub on the island. Great day out.
August 2021
A lovely beach. £6.50 to park for the day - it's a private estate - but a shame that the owners aren't prepared to put some of the money towards improvements to the toilets - one small sink in each of the men's & women's toilets with a malfunctioning tap is not enough for a beach full of people, children & dogs!
August 2019
Lovely beach for gentle surfing with ice creams, coffee, snacks and pizzas close to the car park.
July 2019
Glorious especially at low tide.
April 2019
Best beach in the South Hams.
July 2018
Can get busy with surfers, but a beautiful place with a wide sandy beach. Lots of room for everyone.
April 2018
Beautiful beach. Nightmare of a road (especially in high season) to get to it. Worth it though when you get there.
July 2017
A short walk (less than a mile) from Thurlestone, this is a stunning beach. Lots of shallow water with sand underfoot, truly amazing.
July 2017
Fantastic sandy beach and so big. My dog loved running around and jumping into the water. Plenty of space for all.
April 2017
Challaborough Bay
(Less than a mile)
(6)
Close to Kingsbridge, Challaborough Bay is a sandy beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that’s perfect for enjoying all the seaside activities nature can afford. At low tide the beach is ideal for visiting families to build sandcastles and explore the rock pools, while the swells and shore breaks also attract surfers and bodyboarders. There are some beautiful walks along the coast path that surrounds it, heading towards Bigbury on Sea in particular. Making it an ideal spot to spend the day, the beach has toilets, a café and a beach shop close by, although access is via steps and small paths so accessibility isn’t wheelchair friendly. There is a car park but it’s rather small, so it’s good to know that a 15-minute walk to Bigbury will see ample parking available – seasonal charges apply so remember to bring cash with you. While four legged friends are welcome in the winter, they are not allowed on the beach between May and September, so do plan their walks with that in mind. It’s a lovely spot along the coast path to bring them to, you can even beach hop from one to the next!
Cempletely different atmosphere to the rest of the South Hams. Part of a beautiful coastline set amidst class South Hams countryside.
June 2023
Good if you’re staying all day with children but expensive to park, only whole day parking not good if you don’t want to stay a long tome
April 2022
I didn't like it here. I found it a bit tacky. Also on my walk I popped into the Cafe in the morning but had missed their breakfast time which ended at 11.30 and I was there at 11.34 so they refused to serve me toast with coffee! So I walked out! A guy behind me in the queue was left open mouthed and said if I go on to Bigbury I'll get it anytime I want!
September 2021
Beautiful place to watch the sunset. Good fish and chips on the beach in the evening. Wouldn’t spend the day there as holiday park attached and the beach was left absolutely covered in rubbish by the guests ????
September 2019
Lovely, & just a short walk from Bigbury on Sea car park. It also has a fantastic chip shop that does gluten free fish & chips!
August 2019
Lovely beach
April 2017
Ayrmer Cove
(Less than a mile)
(20)
Roughly one kilometre (20 minutes depending on your pace) from the National Trust car park at Ringmore, and with a selection of footpaths to get to it, Ayrmer Cove is a quiet secluded beach on the South West Coast Path. For anyone on holiday in South Devon it’s a peaceful place to sit and contemplate the natural scenery amongst the shingle, pebbles and rock pools, admiring the cliffs. It makes for a beautiful destination to walk to from Ringmore itself, which is a small village (population 230) with views towards the cove itself as well as Bigbury Bay – it makes for a wonderful holiday cottage destination in South Devon as well as a place to visit as part of your day. Walking to the beach allows you to discover the surrounding woodland, wildlife and history of the area – taking in old smugglers’ routes and hedgerows that have been in situ since the 1800s. It is a little tricky to get to so it’s not ideal for wheelchairs, and there aren’t any toilets or facilities at the beach itself so if you want to stay for a little while don’t forget to take snacks or a picnic if the weather is right. This is all about enjoying the environment that’s such a proud part of the National Trust – it’s everything a holiday in Devon is about, and yes, dogs are permitted all year round and will very much enjoy the walk!
Fabulously unspoilt and beautiful.
June 2023
Childhood memories and very clean
May 2022
Lovely location for photography and any easy walk from the National Trust car park
April 2022
Beautiful place!
September 2021
Beautiful clean quiet beach , well worth a visit
September 2021
Beautiful cove, first visit. Quite a challenging walk to get there but fascinating to see the slate formations.
August 2021
Perfect swim spot
May 2021
What a wonderful, quiet little haven!
September 2019
A beautiful little cove and fun for dogs and children.
August 2019
You can walk to this secluded cove from the cottage. Probably about 20 mins away, depending on your pace. Plenty of blackberries to eat/collect on route when in season! No facilities at the cove but beautifully unspoilt.
August 2019
Really beautiful secluded beach - great for the dog too!
July 2019
A lovely beach at the end of a beautiful valley. Absolutely perfect for dogs and never busy.
June 2019
Parked in the NT car park at Ringmore and took the 15 min walk down to the beach. Saw a beautiful sunset and had the place to ourselves. Bliss
November 2018
What a fantastic place. So quiet - we had the whole beach to ourselves a lot of the time. Our dogs loved it.
September 2018
A lovely quiet cove, with excellent rock pools at low tide. No sand but the kids enjoy it as an alternative to the massive sandy beaches at Bigbury and Bantham.
September 2018
stunning little beach, very quiet and great for snorkelling
July 2018
Beautiful cove. Very quiet with lots of bird life.
June 2018
Well worth the walk with beautiful views of Burgh island from the coast path. We were the only ones there on a very sunny day in April. Perfect.
April 2018
Simply stunning and well worth the steep (ish) walk down from the National Trust car park at Ringmore. When there - it's hard to imagine the horrors of today's modern world.
September 2017
Gorgeous beach for an evening swim and barbecue. So peaceful and beautiful
June 2017
Leas Foot Sands
(2 miles)
(8)
A small sandy beach belonging to Thurlestone Golf Club, those who have been on regular Devon weekend breaks and holidays will have seen this beach change somewhat in recent years thanks to storm damage, but the evolving landscape merely adds to its charm. A 200-metre walk down a paved path from the golf club and its car park and you find yourself heading down a gentle slope onto the sand, with the option of enjoying the beach in its own right or walking along the coast in either direction towards Bantham or South Milton Sands. Dogs are allowed here at any time, which of course adds to the appeal for walkers, and if you fancy stopping somewhere for lunch then Thurlestone village nearby is home to a charming pub that’s cryptically named The Village Inn, which is suitable for the whole family and wonderfully cosy in the winter months. Alternatively head to the Beachhouse café at South Milton for lunches and evenings meals with a view of the sunset, or cups of tea and brownies from the Gastrobus at Bantham. It is one of the area’s quieter beaches, often acting as a place to wander past rather than one to spend the whole day on, but given its easy access and the proximity of the car park, and the golf club, it’s a delightful little spot in which to while away the afternoon.
We visited this beach most days either morning or early evening to take the dog and enjoy the sunsets
September 2021
We found this to be a very pleasant spot for a coffee. The sands were pristine.
September 2021
Lovely beach for swimming and supping
June 2021
a fabulous beach, dog and heart friendly
December 2020
We like this beach. We walk to it from the property we stay in in Thurlestone. It's always quiet. There are lovely views out to sea and you really feel close to nature when swimming. There is good sand, some rocks on either side of the beach, it's easy to access and we usually walk home along the coast path for more lovely views.
August 2019
Great quiet beach with wonderful coastal walk alongside gold course round to Bantham. Parked free in field adjacent to golf club, although we understand they will be charging for parking soon. Only downside was that the public toilets were closed - we went October 2018.
November 2018
This is possibly the best beach in the whole of England
July 2017
A very nice beach with quite a lot of sand at times. So easy to access, even managed to get both (octogenarian) parents to it and my mother in the sea for a paddle!
July 2017
September 2023
Another great stay at this lovely property. Everything was very straightforward, from booking through to the very helpful contact from Elaine, caretaker, just prior to the holiday.
August 2023
A wonderful place in which we have had a very special holiday in the most beautiful park of the country!
August 2023
yes
July 2023
Really well equipped house in an excellent location. The owners had thought of everything to make this a most enjoyable stay. The couple in charge of cleaning and maintenance were extremely friendly and helpful.
June 2023
A very enjoyable week in a beautiful house. We were very lucky with the weather and the short walk down to the beach, although the walk back took a little longer!
June 2023
This is the second time we have stayed at Tarquin and it goes without saying that we love the property. Of course there were a few niggles (listed, as well as the internet being down for 1.5 days) but this didn't materially affect our stay. It's well provisioned and comfortable.
April 2023
The bungalow felt like home from home, the attention to detail with the decor was lovely to see. Where ever you turned there was something interesting to look at. We enjoyed ready some of the books ie 1001 songs to listening to.. the views were sublime, we had good weather for April but we said had it been raining it wouldn’t have been such a terrible thing to stay at home in the bungalow because it was so comfortable. The entrance garden was a little steep for mum but we managed, it would have been but easier if she could have had access via the utility room with her mobility push frame, but for some reason there was a note stating ‘stickler no access through this door’ really couldn’t understand why? … anyway to sum it up, wonderful stay, wonderful bright airy property.. thank you
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, we're delighted that you enjoyed your stay at this beautiful property. We are a bit baffled and sorry to hear about the problem you had with access to the utility room as this is always available and the keys include one to the utility door. Perhaps there was some confusion about not going through the gate marked private by the parking area. This doesn't lead to the utility and is blocked because there is a steep drop on the other side. So rest assured, level access is always possible. We do hope to welcome you back to the South Hams in the future, from the Toad Hall Team
- The Toad Hall Team
September 2022
As above. Somethings take some time to get use to I.e hob not very responsive and oven ok but small for the size of occupants the property can take, especially with it being so isolated you would use these elements more. Settee is great for us, but older people found it a bit cumbersome to get up off but that is our preference really. Freezer probably needs a clear out completely with each change over. TV could do with being bigger, again to cover all age groups. This is a isolated place so some facilities need to be a higher standard. The bedroom doors in the original part are quite noisy, especially overnight. Makes it quite noisy. Think those doors should be replaced as they do not go with the overall decor. Again, our preferences but the price point of this house is quite high so some elements of the house needs refinement. My role working in leisure makes me more aware of this so it may be deemed hypercritical, but think it can just make the experience more complete if certain areas are focussed on. Showers great and utility good.
Thank you for your comments which are very helpful to see. We will look at the hob to check how it is functioning but just to say the oven is a standard size and should have sufficient capacity for eight people. Unfortunately there isn’t time to defrost the freezer each changeover but the drawers are always emptied and cleaned between lets and as the season quietens a little it gives an opportunity to defrost completely. We will check the hinges and fittings on the doors to the bedrooms - they clearly need a squirt of lubricant and thanks for letting us know. Sorry if you were disturbed at night. The bedroom doors in the main part of the house are original to the building and the owner wishes to preserve them. It was good to see in your other comments that accompanied this review that you had a great time and overall loved the house and location and we hope to welcome you back - by which time we will see if we can accommodate a slightly bigger TV for you!
- The Toad Hall Team
Delighted to report that a larger Smart TV has now been installed (March 2023) for guests to enjoy.
- The Toad Hall Team
August 2022
We had a really great time. The property is fantastic, I would definitely recommend it.
August 2022
The accommodation was lovely, great spot and felt homely. Property was clean and tidy.
July 2022
We had a wonderful week at Tarquin. The beds were very comfortable, kitchen and bathrooms all clean and convenient to use. The house and gardens were a lovely place to be. We liked the paintings, books and games which helped it feel like a real family home. Wonderful to be so close to the excellent beach but still in a very peaceful location. Our party was aged from 1 to 86 and we all agreed it was a great place to stay.
June 2022
A fabulous holiday home which me and my family thoroughly enjoyed. Recommend places to visit - Totnes rare breads, Looe and Brixham. Tarquin is lovely!
June 2022
Tarquin is the most homely tasteful well equipped holiday house. We all loved the art work making it feel really homely. Plenty of space for everyone!
April 2022
We loved our stay at Tarquin - great house with wonderful views. Super walks - across to Burgh Island and to Ringmore for fantastic Sunday lunch at Journeys End. We will be back thank you!
September 2021
Lovely position with a short walk to the beach, we didn’t have to worry about parking every time we went to the beach. Lovely views from the house.
August 2021
It was brilliant. Just the type of accommodation and location we look for. Everything was perfect. Thank yoi to Elaine as well. 11 out of 10.
August 2021
Elaine went the extra mile for us due to my husband's Covid situation. Really appreciated this. Thank you.
June 2021
The house was gorgeous, lovely location, well laid out, clean, comfortable and with a lovely bit of garden. We loved our stay. Special thanks to Elaine the caretaker for her help in the run up and during the stay and to all the Toad Hall team for an excellent standard of service.
October 2020
Very good stay. Lovely house, extremely clean, great views and comfortable. Excellent help and support from the manager Elaine.
October 2020
Had a great time.Lovely house, very comfortable in an ideal location.
September 2020
We very much enjoyed our stay.
September 2020
The stay was fantastic. The house was in a great location for the beach and walking in the area. Photographs of the house don't do it justice, it was larger than we had expected from the pictures and the furniture more modern. Layout was perfect and the picture window overlooking to Bugh Island just beautiful! The house had everything we needed in terms of kitchen equipment, beds were comfy, plenty of storage space for clothes etc. I would maybe pop another fridge in the utility room as was only one standard sized and we had a large ASDA shop arrive with a weeks worth of food (and wine) so a bit cramped. That wouldn't put us off returning though, great stay all round.
A quick update, thank you for the suggestion of a second fridge, there is now a larder fridge in the utility room.
- The Toad Hall Team
July 2020
Brilliant property to stay at , Great sea views from most windows, As my Duaghter in law posted on facebook what a view to wake up to every morning, how lucky she felt, we all had a great stay at this property.
September 2023
Another great stay at this lovely property. Everything was very straightforward, from booking through to the very helpful contact from Elaine, caretaker, just prior to the holiday.
August 2023
A wonderful place in which we have had a very special holiday in the most beautiful park of the country!
August 2023
yes
July 2023
Really well equipped house in an excellent location. The owners had thought of everything to make this a most enjoyable stay. The couple in charge of cleaning and maintenance were extremely friendly and helpful.
June 2023
A very enjoyable week in a beautiful house. We were very lucky with the weather and the short walk down to the beach, although the walk back took a little longer!
June 2023
This is the second time we have stayed at Tarquin and it goes without saying that we love the property. Of course there were a few niggles (listed, as well as the internet being down for 1.5 days) but this didn't materially affect our stay. It's well provisioned and comfortable.
April 2023
The bungalow felt like home from home, the attention to detail with the decor was lovely to see. Where ever you turned there was something interesting to look at. We enjoyed ready some of the books ie 1001 songs to listening to.. the views were sublime, we had good weather for April but we said had it been raining it wouldn’t have been such a terrible thing to stay at home in the bungalow because it was so comfortable. The entrance garden was a little steep for mum but we managed, it would have been but easier if she could have had access via the utility room with her mobility push frame, but for some reason there was a note stating ‘stickler no access through this door’ really couldn’t understand why? … anyway to sum it up, wonderful stay, wonderful bright airy property.. thank you
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, we're delighted that you enjoyed your stay at this beautiful property. We are a bit baffled and sorry to hear about the problem you had with access to the utility room as this is always available and the keys include one to the utility door. Perhaps there was some confusion about not going through the gate marked private by the parking area. This doesn't lead to the utility and is blocked because there is a steep drop on the other side. So rest assured, level access is always possible. We do hope to welcome you back to the South Hams in the future, from the Toad Hall Team
- The Toad Hall Team
September 2022
As above. Somethings take some time to get use to I.e hob not very responsive and oven ok but small for the size of occupants the property can take, especially with it being so isolated you would use these elements more. Settee is great for us, but older people found it a bit cumbersome to get up off but that is our preference really. Freezer probably needs a clear out completely with each change over. TV could do with being bigger, again to cover all age groups. This is a isolated place so some facilities need to be a higher standard. The bedroom doors in the original part are quite noisy, especially overnight. Makes it quite noisy. Think those doors should be replaced as they do not go with the overall decor. Again, our preferences but the price point of this house is quite high so some elements of the house needs refinement. My role working in leisure makes me more aware of this so it may be deemed hypercritical, but think it can just make the experience more complete if certain areas are focussed on. Showers great and utility good.
Thank you for your comments which are very helpful to see. We will look at the hob to check how it is functioning but just to say the oven is a standard size and should have sufficient capacity for eight people. Unfortunately there isn’t time to defrost the freezer each changeover but the drawers are always emptied and cleaned between lets and as the season quietens a little it gives an opportunity to defrost completely. We will check the hinges and fittings on the doors to the bedrooms - they clearly need a squirt of lubricant and thanks for letting us know. Sorry if you were disturbed at night. The bedroom doors in the main part of the house are original to the building and the owner wishes to preserve them. It was good to see in your other comments that accompanied this review that you had a great time and overall loved the house and location and we hope to welcome you back - by which time we will see if we can accommodate a slightly bigger TV for you!
- The Toad Hall Team
Delighted to report that a larger Smart TV has now been installed (March 2023) for guests to enjoy.
- The Toad Hall Team
August 2022
We had a really great time. The property is fantastic, I would definitely recommend it.
August 2022
The accommodation was lovely, great spot and felt homely. Property was clean and tidy.
July 2022
We had a wonderful week at Tarquin. The beds were very comfortable, kitchen and bathrooms all clean and convenient to use. The house and gardens were a lovely place to be. We liked the paintings, books and games which helped it feel like a real family home. Wonderful to be so close to the excellent beach but still in a very peaceful location. Our party was aged from 1 to 86 and we all agreed it was a great place to stay.
June 2022
A fabulous holiday home which me and my family thoroughly enjoyed. Recommend places to visit - Totnes rare breads, Looe and Brixham. Tarquin is lovely!
June 2022
Tarquin is the most homely tasteful well equipped holiday house. We all loved the art work making it feel really homely. Plenty of space for everyone!
April 2022
We loved our stay at Tarquin - great house with wonderful views. Super walks - across to Burgh Island and to Ringmore for fantastic Sunday lunch at Journeys End. We will be back thank you!
September 2021
Lovely position with a short walk to the beach, we didn’t have to worry about parking every time we went to the beach. Lovely views from the house.
August 2021
It was brilliant. Just the type of accommodation and location we look for. Everything was perfect. Thank yoi to Elaine as well. 11 out of 10.
August 2021
Elaine went the extra mile for us due to my husband's Covid situation. Really appreciated this. Thank you.
June 2021
The house was gorgeous, lovely location, well laid out, clean, comfortable and with a lovely bit of garden. We loved our stay. Special thanks to Elaine the caretaker for her help in the run up and during the stay and to all the Toad Hall team for an excellent standard of service.
October 2020
Very good stay. Lovely house, extremely clean, great views and comfortable. Excellent help and support from the manager Elaine.
October 2020
Had a great time.Lovely house, very comfortable in an ideal location.
September 2020
We very much enjoyed our stay.
September 2020
The stay was fantastic. The house was in a great location for the beach and walking in the area. Photographs of the house don't do it justice, it was larger than we had expected from the pictures and the furniture more modern. Layout was perfect and the picture window overlooking to Bugh Island just beautiful! The house had everything we needed in terms of kitchen equipment, beds were comfy, plenty of storage space for clothes etc. I would maybe pop another fridge in the utility room as was only one standard sized and we had a large ASDA shop arrive with a weeks worth of food (and wine) so a bit cramped. That wouldn't put us off returning though, great stay all round.
A quick update, thank you for the suggestion of a second fridge, there is now a larder fridge in the utility room.
- The Toad Hall Team
July 2020
Brilliant property to stay at , Great sea views from most windows, As my Duaghter in law posted on facebook what a view to wake up to every morning, how lucky she felt, we all had a great stay at this property.
Venus café - Bigbury on Sea
(Less than a mile)
(16)
Welcoming and friendly, this branch of the Venus café has lots of delicious options for children and adults alike. Homemade Devon burgers, breakfast baps, cakes, coffees and ice creams are available either to eat on the terrace or take away.
The Venus café Warren Road, Bigbury-on-Sea TQ7 4AZ (T: 01548 810141)
Great food
September 2023
Good quality food, freshly cooked. Friendly and helpful staff.
September 2023
A perfect place to get lunch, drinks, ices etc, very pleasant and helpful staff. Would certainly go back.
August 2023
Service is friendly and swift but the standard of fare is poor to average and the prices are high.
August 2023
Very handy beside the toilets. Good range of hot snacks.
June 2023
It’s ok for basics
May 2023
What a fabulous beachside cafe, we just stopped for a cup of tea on an overcast and breezy day at Bigbury-on-Sea. The cup of tea was lovely and what made it even better was the 100% compostable and recyclable cup! Well done Venus!
April 2022
Oh way over priced! Couldn't believe it was £7.24 for a coffee and 2 slices of toast! The lady behind me bought 2 coffees and 2 choc brownies in wrappers - £13.50 !!!
September 2021
Very pleasant and friendly beach side cafe.
June 2021
Great coffee with good view.
July 2018
Good little café next to the beach.
July 2018
A welcome cafe to serve the beach. We enjoyed the coffee and the cheesey chips.
June 2018
The best coffee we had all holiday!
July 2017
April 2017
Reliably great food though very busy at peak times so go early! Also love the Venus at the Dartington Centre.
April 2017
Great burgers! Right by the beach. Busy in the summer but I guess that's a good sign!!
December 2016
The Pilchard Inn
(Less than a mile)
(23)
Reached either by foot across the beach or at high tide by sea tractor, this 700 year old pub once popular with fishermen and smugglers, has wonderful views and is an atmospheric spot to stop for a pint of Pilchard Ale and a baguette. Owned by the Burgh Island hotel, there is also a cafe on the beach level.
The Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea TQ7 4BG (T: 01548 810514)
Delicious food and a fascinating building. Friendly and helpful staff.
October 2023
Lovely pub on burgh island
September 2023
A beautiful, historic building with a real 'glue-pot' atmosphere overlooking a fantastic beach, cut-off when the tide is in. But there the magic ends. The service is slow, the staff are untrained and the sea-tractor cannot be relied upon to show up to ferry customers to the mainland when the tide is in. There appears to be a general lack of interest in the customer. I would not return.
August 2023
Lovely setting. A really old and quaint pub. The menu is short and simple but we had the crevette and crab baguette, and a pasty, which we shared, and it was all delicious. Staff very friendly . Seats outside got filled quickly. I bet it’s very crowded in the school holidays.
July 2023
Friendly and welcoming staff and very good food reasonably priced. Visited twice this week and can recommend.
July 2023
Fantastic fish and chips.
April 2023
Visited for lunch last week, ordered the Crab baguette and was very disappointed. I think it was tinned and had been heavily mixed with mayonnaise!!!! (It could have been anything from tuna to god knows what) it was inedible and not one of the staff enquired why i’d Left it. Not my favourite pub in the world, it could be so much better. I’m from Cornwall and used to wonderful fresh crab ???? and we wouldn’t dream of mixing with mayonnaise. Worth a look at the pub but save your money for the oyster shack
October 2020
Loved this quaint little pub excellent food, I think the bar manager could use a few more people skills as he can come across as very curt on first impressions, but we visited a few times and enjoyed it very much.
October 2020
Much more friendly since it was taken over a few years ago worth the walk over
February 2020
very welcoming
January 2020
Great pub, lovely location. The menu was limited and food was disappointing
October 2019
Miserable staff.
September 2019
A unique pub and cafe because of the location and the character of the building; outdoors it provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy the view and watch the world go by, especially on the famous sea tractor.We enjoyed a drink in the pub, prepared to pay a bit extra for the experience, and would certainly return.
September 2019
Over the years this has become more and more expensive. Staff could be friendlier and more behind the bar would be helpful. People have to wait in the queue just to get a £1 refund on a plastic glass.
September 2018
It was clearly almost too much bother for the barman to serve me. And beer and white wine served in plastic ‘glasses ‘. We didn’t go back.
July 2018
Pleasant place for a drink on a sunny day. Very quaint.
June 2018
RidIculously expensive
May 2018
Very disappointed. Felt as if we were a tolerated rather than welcomed. Signs forbidding entrance to one of the bars and when we walked into the only permitted bar the staff member couldn't get back to his own coffee and conversation quick enough.
November 2017
Would be nice if it stayed open for a drink in the evening.
August 2017
Overpriced food, felt very unwelcome as only as small section of the pub is available to non-residents, so you are made to feel like second class citizens.
June 2017
Very atmospheric tho the food is limited with sandwiches being brought down from the hotel so you can't ask, for example, for cheese and chutney without the chutney for fussy children! Having spent many holidays in Bigbury on Sea no visit is complete without a wander over to The Pilchard at low tide. Parents can sit above the beach and watch the small ones rockpooling in safety. Its magic!
April 2017
Lovely old pub over looking the beach and water but service inefficient
April 2017
Proper smugglers' tavern in a brilliant location. We sat outside in the sun while the kids played down on the beach. Perfect! Didn't try the food.
December 2016
The Gastrobus
(Less than a mile)
(20)
A great mobile café selling high quality burgers, breakfast baps and other light meals, cakes, coffees and ice creams in an idyllic location next to Bantham Beach. Open every day, weather permitting.
The Gastrobus, Bantham Beach, Bantham TQ7 3AN
Good coffee in an unexpected location
April 2024
Enjoyed cuppa and cake here.
July 2023
Great food but had to wait 35 minutes for our burgers.
July 2023
Excellent coffee on the beach.
June 2022
Overpriced
May 2022
What a find, lovely staff and delicious food and so nice to see such a choice.
May 2022
Lovely friendly guys at this gastropub!
September 2021
Definitely worth the walk from Thurleston along the SW Coastal Path, approximately 40 minutes. Food was excellent, freshly cooked and delicious with some good vegetarian options too.
September 2019
Great coffee and snacks.
July 2019
Excellent food, although service might be slow if busy. Nice to easily buy food and drinks so close to the beach
June 2019
Lovely food and coffee from great people. The coronation chicken and asian slaw sandwich is definitely a candidate for the best sandwich ever. Thanks
June 2019
An excellent bar - staff friendly and gourmet burgers. Well worth a visit
October 2018
Great street food. Hot sandwiches cooked to order. Brilliant.
June 2018
Great Gluten Free Food on the beach!
June 2018
Great gastrobus the cakes & food looked fab, we went for local ice creams which were very delicious & good choice of flavours
November 2017
Very friendly staff, lovely selection of delicious snacks
June 2017
Cream teas in a box to enjoy on the beach - awesome! Every beach should have one!
June 2017
Great location, good food and definitely worth a visit
May 2017
Great coffee, great location, great food. Perfect!
December 2016
AMAZING burgers!!!
December 2016
The Journey's End Inn
(Less than a mile)
(27)
A good combination of friendly village local and destination food pub with plenty of space including a large beer garden for summer and cosy open fires in winter. The chef draws on his travels to create high quality British and Thai cuisine along with tempting deserts and healthy kids' options.
The Journeys End Inn Ringmore, Kingsbridge TQ7 4HL (T: 01548 810205)
We had such an amazing Sunday lunch here! Table of 13, the food amazing and the service was impeccable. Paul the host ensured we had such a lovely experience, he even introduced us all to Pashmak which the children (and adults!) loved. A lovely lunch to remember on such a special holiday.
October 2023
Essential to book well in advance as always busy.We did not book and were unable to get in.
September 2023
Fantastic Sunday lunch
September 2023
A wonderful, real pub. Can recommend the delicious Sunday Roasts.
September 2023
Loved the food here , the best we had we keep coming .
August 2023
Weren't able to secure a booking during our stay as it's a very popular place, so advise pre-booking before you arrive!
July 2023
Tried twice to book but could not accommodate us. Need to book well in advance. Spoker to other gusts and they were full of praise.
July 2023
Book early for evening meals and Sunday lunch. Very friendly atmosphere and welcome to dogs. Garden has improved massively in recent years. Ale and food as good as ever. Nice mix of locals and regulars.
June 2023
This is our favourite place for a meal in the area. Fantastic food and amazing atmosphere.
June 2022
Excellent food and beer and a friendly welcome
April 2022
A brilliant,lauthentic 13th century pub, great food and ales straight out of the barrel, a MUST visit
March 2022
Friendly pub but menu could be more varied
October 2021
Best meal of our holiday. Very good food, well presented at a reasonable price. Good atmosphere and service too.
September 2021
Oh my!!!! If you can get a table here the food is fantastic!!! You need to book well in advance. It is dog friendly and very cosy inside. Highly recommend
August 2021
Amazing food.Lovely pub. Brilliant Sunday lunch. Very friendly. Loved it. We ate there 3 times and it was always excellent.
August 2021
Welcoming pretty pub with excellent service. Delicious lunch in the gorgeous back beer garden. A few more shading umbrellas would be have been good though.
July 2021
Friendly and welcoming!
November 2020
Really atmospheric pub with really nice food, very welcoming staff
October 2020
Lovely accommodation and Bigbury is a lovely beach to watch the windsurfers and you can also hire. Narrow lanes so be prepared to reverse..........quite a lot as tractors use the lanes as well. A very enjoyable holiday, thank you.
September 2020
Very rustic atmosphere with kegged ales on racks. Lots of history abut the place with friendly staff and a good range of bar meals. You must book well in advance
August 2020
A lovely pub and they made us and our dogs very welcome. The food is excellent.
June 2019
Walk from car park is very steep for those with mobility issues. Even worse returning in the dark , no street lights. Not being locals we were unaware that the road went around in a loop! Food good.
September 2018
We always enjoy a visit to the Journey's End. Excellent, well kept real ale, and, if we liked cider, would probably add a similar comment about that. Good food, using excellent local seasonal ingredients. The menu caters for a wide range of tastes and ages. Dogs welcome. Problem is booking a table, especially for a large family.
September 2018
This delightful quintessentially 'olde world' country pub would make a good destination for lunch after a morning down at Ayrmer Cove. There's a link between the pub and the play of the same name written in 1928 by the writer RC Sherriff. Have a stroll around the impossibly pretty village of Ringmore and don't leave without visiting the 13th century church of All Hallows, where there's a magnificent and rare medieval wall painting.
September 2017
Fabulous country pub excellent food, service and ale a wonderful experience chef here is exceptional
July 2017
It looks so beautiful from the pictures, well it could be, under electric box cupboard and the dining room windowsill the cobwebs where that big we had clean them away. The bedroom with 3/4 bed was only big enough to house the bed no room either side. The armchair in the living room wasn't good to sit in it had collapsed & every time you sat in it you fell through it. Towels didn't smell fresh had to wash them before we could use them.
June 2017
Our favourite pub, ever, in the world (and we've been around a bit!) We return again and again and again! The noodle dishes are amazing; I always promise myself I'll try something different but still keep gorging on noodles! Very excited to actually be staying in Ringmore this time round (usually we are in Bigbury on Sea) so plan lots of meals here! The beer battered cod was great too and nearly defeated a ravenous young chap - no mean feat! The building itself is brilliant with lots of little rooms and a great atmosphere. When we were there last they were setting up a pizza oven in the garden...can't wait to go back and try it! Yum yum!
April 2017
The Sloop Inn
(2 miles)
(48)
This historic pub, full of period features in the pretty village of Bantham, is a great spot to enjoy well-cooked classic meals or a pint after a day spent on the beach or walking the South West Coast Path. Menu’s change on a daily basis and children and dogs are welcome.
The Sloop Inn , Bantham TQ7 3AJ (T: 01548 560489)
The Sloop was first class as ever - recommend sitting at front if you have a choice
April 2024
A friendly and accommodating pub ideal to stop mid-walk. Good food and drink
April 2024
A definite stop off pint on the way back from the beach, warm and welcoming, good food and friendly atmosphere, we were always made to feel very welcome, highly recommended.
March 2024
Fantastic pub serving delicious food!
January 2024
Very welcoming. Very good beer. Excellent food. Highly recommended.
November 2023
A brilliant pub! Very welcoming with good food and drinks.
September 2023
Lovely atmosphere and very good food. Umfortunately they onloy had one chef on and we had to wait for over an hour between courses. They did deduct the 19% service charge.
July 2023
Very friendly and helpful staff.excellent food
June 2023
Nice pub, good food dog friendly - the drive from Thurlestone very interesting, very narrow lanes!
May 2023
Absolutely five star - friendly, helpful and efficient staff and excellent food - our party of ten all had something different and all proclaimed the food superb. Do go!
August 2022
Great place to eat in the evening. Dog friendly and only a ten minute stroll from the cottage. Best to book in advance though
July 2022
Lovely pub, good food at reasonable prices and friendly staff.
July 2022
Great place for a relaxed family meal and nice atmosphere
June 2022
Had a better meal this year. Worth a visit.
June 2022
Best food and atmosphere in the area
May 2022
Overpriced and bar staff unfriendly.
April 2022
Great pub/atmosphere. Excellent food, well priced.
April 2022
We decided not to eat at the pub although the menu sounded good because it is no longer like a village pub, especially the back of the pub that looks like a cafe.
April 2022
Excellent food and friendly staff.
November 2021
Visited twice. Enjoyed the courtyard first time and then a lunchtime meal inside on our second visit. Lovely ploughman’s
October 2021
Very friendly, and well-run pub, with good choice of food at reasonable prices - recommend the fish and chips
October 2021
Lovely meal at this pub. I had booked in advance at 2pm but got there at 1pm and they were happy to serve me outside as it was a lovely day.
September 2021
Love this pub, friend stay, lovely food. Limited on parking spaces, so plan ahead as parking can be a little tricky
May 2021
Excellent beer, food okay but the pub devoid of atmosphere due in part due to corona restrictions and woodburner/fire was not having been lit. On the occasions we visited we found our table very close to the table of other diners despite corona restrictions
October 2020
Excellent food, beer and service.
October 2020
We visited in Sept 2020 and the Covid measures were impressive but did not spoil our evenings. Great food - from fish and chips to crab starters and duck confit - all exceptional.
September 2020
Love the Sloop. Always a warm welcome. Good beer and good, reasonably priced food.
November 2019
Nice pub only stopped for a Coffee but they were welcoming and nicely done inside
October 2019
Great local country pub with excellent food and atmosphere.
September 2019
I’ve been visiting Sloop Inn for the last five years and it just gets better every year, very friendly staff, good drinks selection and food menu that offers great seaside pub classics definitely worth a visit
June 2019
We had excellent service and a lovely meal for 8 on New Years Eve. All the food arrived at the same time and hot! Everyone enjoyed their food and service was with a smile and efficient. Recommend.
January 2019
Had a fantastic meal here - great pub grub with a brilliant atmosphere!
November 2018
Great local pub, with excellent food and pleasant staff. The added bonus of being dog friendly was great too. A great selection of local and national ales and ciders. Thank you, for a great stay, and food.
October 2018
Wonderful local pub. Great food, ales and ambiance- perfect.
October 2018
We loved this pub, and they do a great takeaway too!
July 2018
Very friendly pub with good food, large dining room and tables outside in a neat little yard. Dog friendly. Grea location and would certainly go back
July 2018
Excellent pub, lovely food, great atmosphere and very welcoming - even to our large noisy group - had a great evening here. Dogs welcomed too !
November 2017
Beautiful pub inside and out -clever blend of old and new decor and furnishings without being too rustic. Very welcoming and polite staff and great food. Car parking to rear. Best place on our Devon week. Will definitely return. Thank you.
September 2017
The biggest fish and chips ever and lovely too really enjoyed our meal here
July 2017
Lovely waitresses, good solid food, not so friendly bar staff
June 2017
Lovely pub, the restaurant has been recently refurbished and has a lovely modern feel. Both the food and service were excellent.
June 2017
Good menu and food though the pub is a bit tatty, however, they are doing a refurbishment in May so this might improve it.
May 2017
We have been going to the Sloop for many years and enjoyed the food. However, this year..on Easter Monday...having booked a table for 9 people at 6.30pm...we tried to order food and almost everything was sold out. This was extremely disappointing and rather spoilt our stay. We left and went to a nearby restaurant which wss very pleasant and had almost everything on the menu. We were told that the Sloop had been busier than usual and had been unable to get further supplies due to the holiday. This has been the same situation for the last 15 yrs we have been going there and we havent had this problem before. Very disappointing.
April 2017
First rate sandwiches, very good and friendly service.
April 2017
Obviously a decent 'local' with good beer, a reasonable menu (with a small choice for vegetarians) and obliging staff - once you can get to the bar past the rather loud, clustered regulars ... It was a shame that the only vegetarian starter was 'off' when we visited, but in retrospect we ate very well and would probably have regretted it anyway. The food we received was very good - no complaints at all.
April 2017
Back to the Sloop for burgers. Good portions, nicely presented. Great value. Always a good atmostphere and they are renovating the restaurant so should be even better.
April 2017
A wonderful Sunday lunch - all it should be, in a relaxed and untarted-up - honest pub.
March 2017
Brilliant pub. Love the village so much and spent every night in here during our stay. Great pub food, dogs welcome and a cosy fire. Want to come back now please!!!
December 2016
Discovery Surf School
(Less than a mile)
(4)
Based at Bigbury-on-Sea and Challaborough Bay, Discovery Surf is a fun, friendly and professional environment where the team always have a smile and a word of encouragement to go with their expert tuition. Providing the opportunity to quite literally interact with South Devon’s primary asset - the environment - they offer lessons, courses and equipment hire, as well as Stand Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking.
Click here for further details
Enjoy £10 off any booking of 4 people or more with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card
Kids and wife superbly looked after by Anneka and the team. Really supportive & encouraging teachers and really help cement the joy of surfing for all involved. We'll be coming back again for sure!
August 2023
Really helpful crew of folk
July 2021
Excellent lesson in tough conditions on a windy down a Bigbury, really clear instruction, great place to srat and get in to surfing
December 2016
Had a great lesson with Discovery Surf. Two hours on the Sedgewell side of Bigbury Beach. All equipment provided, the guys really knew their stuff and we were on our feet in no time. Such a buzz, definitely recommend trying it out if you've not surfed before or want to build up your confidence in the sea.
December 2016
ABC Watersports
(Less than a mile)
ABC Watersports aims to make watersports accessible to everyone, whatever your age, ability or confidence level. A local company using highly qualified paddlesport instructors, ABC Watersports offers professional guided trips, lessons and hire using paddleboards and kayaks. Perfect for families and all age groups, what better way to get out on the water and explore the West Country's breathtaking scenery ?
Click here for further details
Bigbury Golf Club
(2 miles)
(3)
A friendly cliff top golf course close to Kingsbridge, Bigbury Golf Club is a links course with spectacular views of the South Devon coast. It is an 18-hole course where you can play as an individual or as part of a group. It’s 6,035 yards for men, 5,544 for ladies and par is 70 and 73 respectively. There’s a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, but remember that dress should be smart/casual at all times, and in the clubhouse they ask that you don’t wear golf shoes, hats, untailored shorts, general beach wear, collarless tee shirts and non-golf sportswear like tracksuits and rugby shirts. The club offers rates for groups of 6-14 and society golf days for numbers over 14. Green fees are seasonal and depend on the time of day that you’re visiting so keep an eye on the website for full details.
Click here for further details
Hubby enjoyed his golf afternoon & was lucky to play with two members who kindly agreed to let him join them. Idyllic setting and very welcoming staff and members.
October 2021
Good course to play. Very hilly on the front 9. Don't forget the VIP card for the discount. You can book tee times on their website. Take plenty of balls if it's windy. ????
June 2017
Friendly and a lovely course, with great views. Tricky in any wind!
May 2017
SUP Away
(2 miles)
SUP Away, based in the heart of the South Hams in Devon, offers Stand Up Paddle Board hire to anyone looking to explore the beauty of the area on the water. They offer the complete service – not only delivering your boards direct to your holiday cottage but also giving advice on where to go on your adventure.
Click here for further details
Bantham Surfing Academy
(2 miles)
(6)
Operating from the car park at postcard perfect surfer’s paradise Bantham Beach, Bantham Surfing Academy is run by experienced SurfingGB qualified instructors who offer tuition and coaching for all levels, including beginners, as well as supervised surfing sessions and a Kids Club. In addition to surfing lessons, the team offer Stand Up Paddle Boarding lessons, hire and tours around Burgh Island and the River Avon, and lifeguard and surf instructor tuition and qualifications.
Click here for further details
two of grandchildren had surfing lessons which they enjoyed.
August 2023
The surf lesson was great however the customer service & facilities at the beach were found wanting. The changing room was in the sand dune at the back of the container!
September 2021
Had asked to hire a board last week and the guy suggested that I arrived at 10am. I did, I waited forty minutes. No show. Apparently, we were informed this happens and even to people who have paid in advance for lessons.
October 2020
Really friendly, relaxed helpful people with good equipment.
July 2019
Amazing!!!
July 2018
My granddaughter had expert tuition and was so thrilled to be able to stand on her board. She was well looked after (5yrs)
August 2017
Bigbury on Sea
(Less than a mile)
(36)
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has visited that Bigbury on Sea is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Perfect for sand castles and rock pooling as well as tucking into lengthy summer picnics, it is an unusual beach to visit because the tide comes in from both sides. As a result, it is an endless source of fascination for children, not least for its sea tractor which provides transport from one end of the beach to the other in order to reach Burgh Island. Burgh Island is connected to mainland England by the beach alone, it’s home to the famous art deco Burgh Island Hotel which has hosted Agatha Christie and Noel Coward since its incarnation in 1929, and has even made an appearance in the TV adaptation of Christie’s Poirot. On a practical note there is on-site parking available close to the beach with daily charges from £3.50. Toilets and shower facilities with disabled access are also nearby, and lifeguards are present from May to September. The Venus café offers teas, coffees and other refreshments including the ice creams that are of such fundamental importance for a day at the beach. Meanwhile, dog lovers will be pleased to know that four legged friends are welcome at Bigbury on Sea, but restrictions apply from 1st May until 30th September. Ultimately, Bigbury on Sea is a supremely beautiful location and fun family day out with abundant wildlife to enjoy and coastal footpaths to explore as well, making it a wonderful destination to visit on holiday in Devon, no matter what time of the year it is.
Great beach dogs allowed it's our favourite beach in south Devon
September 2023
Absolutely world class beaches around bigbury and bantham,stunning at all times.
September 2023
Fabulous sandy beach with good cafe and toilets. Advisable to get there early as parking can be an issue.
September 2023
Lovely area to visit our grandchildren loved it for body boarding. It was safe for them and also had RNLI lifeguards present. A trip on the sea tractor was quite a highlight for them.
August 2023
A beautiful beach, soo close to our holiday accommodation we could go home for lunch. Just ass well because the beach cafe is overpriced and very average.
August 2023
Great beach especially for children. Ample parking, cafe, surf shop and very clean free toilets
August 2023
Favourite sandy beach, part dog friendly over summer,
July 2023
Wonderful place, lovely walk to Burgh Island and up to top.
July 2023
A delightful spot and good water sport activities. Burgh Island is a must.
July 2023
Fabulous convergence of two tides and wonderful beaches. Beach Barista on the Bigbury side selling great coffee and ice cream. Beach shop very handy for topping up on beach gear.
June 2023
Get there early to get a car parking space. Great location for families
May 2023
Loved this beach we spent a lot of time here. Plus side - the car park machines don’t work and it was impossible to pay via the App. The parking attendant told us not to worry about trying! Minus - very smelly toilets.
August 2022
Excellent beach for all the family with dog friendly sections. Massive sandy beach when tide out. Cafe and toilets above beach. Paying for car park very difficult unless you have coins.
August 2022
Fantastic beach! The walks we had at low tide were amazing. Especially when we walked along the river looking over to Bantham.
July 2022
Wonderful beach at low tide. Great spot.
October 2021
A tranquil, enchanting destination for families and dogs alike. Away from the hustle and bustle , outstanding views, fabulous beach for walkers and bathers.
August 2021
Amazing beach and in our opinion the best in the area. Great cafe and surf shop where we hired SUPs. Visited most days and was always impressed. Visit in the evening for a beautiful sunset too. Walking over to the island and exploring there is also worth it.
August 2021
Clean and safe
July 2021
A beautiful location, and just the right amount of facilities. The roads to Bigbury can sometimes be a challenge due to narrowness, but it's worth it when you get here.
June 2021
What a really stunning beach, well worth the trip round the estuary from Noss Mayo. Gorgeous sand and very dog friendly. Worth having a coffee at the Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island.
May 2021
Beautiful location, lovely large sandy beach. If you go across to Burgh Island when the tide is out be warned the prices at Pilchard's Inn are extortionate!
May 2021
We have visited Bigbury and Burgh Island over many years, and it never disappoints; the picturesque environment does much to enhance the holiday atmosphere, and meets the needs of a relaxed holiday.This year, we enjoyed the wonderful experience of cream tea and cocktails at the famous hotel at a very reasonable price; we booked in advance, were driven to the entrance via the hotel transport, and sea tractor back - perfect afternoon!
September 2019
Bigbury bay which I have visited since a child and an amazing beach for all the family.
August 2019
Wonderful - with greats loos & cafes. The Beach Barista coffee is also great!
August 2019
Really lovely sandy beach, perfect for young families as the water stays shallow and the dog can join you in certain areas too, so makes for an all round great day out!
July 2019
Excellent beach for small children. Very clean. The sea tractor gave it an added dimension. Our 2 year old granddaughter loved riding on it!
June 2019
Fab, sand spit beach, covered at high tide, access to Burgh island. An absolute must.
July 2018
Gorgeous beach - very large and areas suitable for dogs. Check tides before you go. Walk over to Burgh island is great. Good toilets and shop - very clean.
July 2018
Wonderful beach and great view of Burgh Island and the marvellous hotel.
July 2018
Perfect
June 2018
Spent a happy afternoon watching the sea.
May 2018
Perfect location. Excellent to walk across the tombolo and explore the island. Very safe for dogs. We visited on a very sunny day in April and were lucky to get a free parking spot right by the slipway. Views from the top are wonderful. Watching the waves meet from both directions is fascinating.
April 2018
Great beach for walking the dog - only part of the beach is restricted. Not overcrowded as we visited out of season and some lovely views in all directions.
September 2017
Lovely place. Child friendly with fantastic views. Only downside is the dogs that are allowed on. It can get very busy in high season and the dogs can be a pain if running loose especially if you have got little ones. We have got a dog so it's not because we aren't dog lovers!
July 2017
Rather run down and disappointing that visitors are made to feel rather unwanted with only a small section of the pub open to non-residents and the hotel off limits completely to non-residents. View from the top lovely, but I wouldn't drive miles and miles to visit. What attracted me was the parting of the sea and that was a lovely view
June 2017
Fantastic unique place with sea both sides of the beach when the tide is out and Burgh Island to walk to with a lovely old pub but inefficient service.
April 2017
Bantham Beach
(Less than a mile)
(15)
What an amazing beach, perfect for doggy adventures, love it love it love it, the river beach is especially nice
March 2024
Lovely beach but no dog's allowed
September 2023
Lovely beach and walk over cliffs to Thurlestone. Beautiful views.
July 2023
One of the most beautiful and relaxing places on earth.
June 2023
Worth the £4.50 to park for the afternoon plenty of walking and rock pools to explore, a good wide sandy beach for people with children
April 2022
Great beach particularly at low tide
October 2021
The most extaordinary place and great for kids. Lots to see and do - great sand and very shallow waters so very safe. if you get a chance to go on the water tractor that is great.. and do visit the Pub on the island. Great day out.
August 2021
A lovely beach. £6.50 to park for the day - it's a private estate - but a shame that the owners aren't prepared to put some of the money towards improvements to the toilets - one small sink in each of the men's & women's toilets with a malfunctioning tap is not enough for a beach full of people, children & dogs!
August 2019
Lovely beach for gentle surfing with ice creams, coffee, snacks and pizzas close to the car park.
July 2019
Glorious especially at low tide.
April 2019
Best beach in the South Hams.
July 2018
Can get busy with surfers, but a beautiful place with a wide sandy beach. Lots of room for everyone.
April 2018
Beautiful beach. Nightmare of a road (especially in high season) to get to it. Worth it though when you get there.
July 2017
A short walk (less than a mile) from Thurlestone, this is a stunning beach. Lots of shallow water with sand underfoot, truly amazing.
July 2017
Fantastic sandy beach and so big. My dog loved running around and jumping into the water. Plenty of space for all.
April 2017
Challaborough Bay
(Less than a mile)
(6)
Close to Kingsbridge, Challaborough Bay is a sandy beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that’s perfect for enjoying all the seaside activities nature can afford. At low tide the beach is ideal for visiting families to build sandcastles and explore the rock pools, while the swells and shore breaks also attract surfers and bodyboarders. There are some beautiful walks along the coast path that surrounds it, heading towards Bigbury on Sea in particular. Making it an ideal spot to spend the day, the beach has toilets, a café and a beach shop close by, although access is via steps and small paths so accessibility isn’t wheelchair friendly. There is a car park but it’s rather small, so it’s good to know that a 15-minute walk to Bigbury will see ample parking available – seasonal charges apply so remember to bring cash with you. While four legged friends are welcome in the winter, they are not allowed on the beach between May and September, so do plan their walks with that in mind. It’s a lovely spot along the coast path to bring them to, you can even beach hop from one to the next!
Cempletely different atmosphere to the rest of the South Hams. Part of a beautiful coastline set amidst class South Hams countryside.
June 2023
Good if you’re staying all day with children but expensive to park, only whole day parking not good if you don’t want to stay a long tome
April 2022
I didn't like it here. I found it a bit tacky. Also on my walk I popped into the Cafe in the morning but had missed their breakfast time which ended at 11.30 and I was there at 11.34 so they refused to serve me toast with coffee! So I walked out! A guy behind me in the queue was left open mouthed and said if I go on to Bigbury I'll get it anytime I want!
September 2021
Beautiful place to watch the sunset. Good fish and chips on the beach in the evening. Wouldn’t spend the day there as holiday park attached and the beach was left absolutely covered in rubbish by the guests ????
September 2019
Lovely, & just a short walk from Bigbury on Sea car park. It also has a fantastic chip shop that does gluten free fish & chips!
August 2019
Lovely beach
April 2017
Ayrmer Cove
(Less than a mile)
(20)
Roughly one kilometre (20 minutes depending on your pace) from the National Trust car park at Ringmore, and with a selection of footpaths to get to it, Ayrmer Cove is a quiet secluded beach on the South West Coast Path. For anyone on holiday in South Devon it’s a peaceful place to sit and contemplate the natural scenery amongst the shingle, pebbles and rock pools, admiring the cliffs. It makes for a beautiful destination to walk to from Ringmore itself, which is a small village (population 230) with views towards the cove itself as well as Bigbury Bay – it makes for a wonderful holiday cottage destination in South Devon as well as a place to visit as part of your day. Walking to the beach allows you to discover the surrounding woodland, wildlife and history of the area – taking in old smugglers’ routes and hedgerows that have been in situ since the 1800s. It is a little tricky to get to so it’s not ideal for wheelchairs, and there aren’t any toilets or facilities at the beach itself so if you want to stay for a little while don’t forget to take snacks or a picnic if the weather is right. This is all about enjoying the environment that’s such a proud part of the National Trust – it’s everything a holiday in Devon is about, and yes, dogs are permitted all year round and will very much enjoy the walk!
Fabulously unspoilt and beautiful.
June 2023
Childhood memories and very clean
May 2022
Lovely location for photography and any easy walk from the National Trust car park
April 2022
Beautiful place!
September 2021
Beautiful clean quiet beach , well worth a visit
September 2021
Beautiful cove, first visit. Quite a challenging walk to get there but fascinating to see the slate formations.
August 2021
Perfect swim spot
May 2021
What a wonderful, quiet little haven!
September 2019
A beautiful little cove and fun for dogs and children.
August 2019
You can walk to this secluded cove from the cottage. Probably about 20 mins away, depending on your pace. Plenty of blackberries to eat/collect on route when in season! No facilities at the cove but beautifully unspoilt.
August 2019
Really beautiful secluded beach - great for the dog too!
July 2019
A lovely beach at the end of a beautiful valley. Absolutely perfect for dogs and never busy.
June 2019
Parked in the NT car park at Ringmore and took the 15 min walk down to the beach. Saw a beautiful sunset and had the place to ourselves. Bliss
November 2018
What a fantastic place. So quiet - we had the whole beach to ourselves a lot of the time. Our dogs loved it.
September 2018
A lovely quiet cove, with excellent rock pools at low tide. No sand but the kids enjoy it as an alternative to the massive sandy beaches at Bigbury and Bantham.
September 2018
stunning little beach, very quiet and great for snorkelling
July 2018
Beautiful cove. Very quiet with lots of bird life.
June 2018
Well worth the walk with beautiful views of Burgh island from the coast path. We were the only ones there on a very sunny day in April. Perfect.
April 2018
Simply stunning and well worth the steep (ish) walk down from the National Trust car park at Ringmore. When there - it's hard to imagine the horrors of today's modern world.
September 2017
Gorgeous beach for an evening swim and barbecue. So peaceful and beautiful
June 2017
Leas Foot Sands
(2 miles)
(8)
A small sandy beach belonging to Thurlestone Golf Club, those who have been on regular Devon weekend breaks and holidays will have seen this beach change somewhat in recent years thanks to storm damage, but the evolving landscape merely adds to its charm. A 200-metre walk down a paved path from the golf club and its car park and you find yourself heading down a gentle slope onto the sand, with the option of enjoying the beach in its own right or walking along the coast in either direction towards Bantham or South Milton Sands. Dogs are allowed here at any time, which of course adds to the appeal for walkers, and if you fancy stopping somewhere for lunch then Thurlestone village nearby is home to a charming pub that’s cryptically named The Village Inn, which is suitable for the whole family and wonderfully cosy in the winter months. Alternatively head to the Beachhouse café at South Milton for lunches and evenings meals with a view of the sunset, or cups of tea and brownies from the Gastrobus at Bantham. It is one of the area’s quieter beaches, often acting as a place to wander past rather than one to spend the whole day on, but given its easy access and the proximity of the car park, and the golf club, it’s a delightful little spot in which to while away the afternoon.
We visited this beach most days either morning or early evening to take the dog and enjoy the sunsets
September 2021
We found this to be a very pleasant spot for a coffee. The sands were pristine.
September 2021
Lovely beach for swimming and supping
June 2021
a fabulous beach, dog and heart friendly
December 2020
We like this beach. We walk to it from the property we stay in in Thurlestone. It's always quiet. There are lovely views out to sea and you really feel close to nature when swimming. There is good sand, some rocks on either side of the beach, it's easy to access and we usually walk home along the coast path for more lovely views.
August 2019
Great quiet beach with wonderful coastal walk alongside gold course round to Bantham. Parked free in field adjacent to golf club, although we understand they will be charging for parking soon. Only downside was that the public toilets were closed - we went October 2018.
November 2018
This is possibly the best beach in the whole of England
July 2017
A very nice beach with quite a lot of sand at times. So easy to access, even managed to get both (octogenarian) parents to it and my mother in the sea for a paddle!
July 2017
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