Key Features
- Property code: 2BANTH
- Preferred changeover day: Saturday
- Check in: 4pm
- Check out: 9.30am
- Access statement available
- Near beach
- Parking (see description for details)
- Dishwasher
- Nearby pub or restaurant
- Nearby shop
- Short breaks available
- Tumble dryer
- Village
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Description
One of four cottages in a row in the heart of Bantham village, 2 Bantham Holiday Cottages offers comfortable, modern, accommodation with a high standard of furnishings and views looking over Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island. Situated adjacent to The Sloop Inn and just a 5 minute walk to one of the best beaches in the region, this cottage offers a superb base for a beach side holiday whether you want to enjoy the watersports the beach has to offer, sample the stunning clifftop coastal walks along the South West Coastal Path, or simply to take in the sea air and watch the every changing scenery and tides.
Close to the market town of Kingsbridge and the yachting haven of Salcombe in the South Hams, the most southerly peninsula in Devon. The region is renowned for its temperate climate and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A short walk away there is an excellent village store as well as a the pub serving great food adjacent. Bantham Surf School offers lessons and equipment from the beach, where there is also the Gastrobus, serving food and drinks ( most of the year )and Pizza (Main season only). This really is a superb destination, offering flexible and comfortable accommodation all year round.
Please be advised:
Until the end of September 2020, due to Coronavirus, a paddock which lies in front of the cottages will be used as ancillary seating area for The Sloop Inn, and in use until 9pm daily. All windows are double glazed.
Key Features
- Property code: 2BANTH
- Preferred changeover day: Saturday
- Check in: 4pm
- Check out: 9.30am
- Access statement available
- Near beach
- Parking (see description for details)
- Dishwasher
- Nearby pub or restaurant
- Nearby shop
- Short breaks available
- Tumble dryer
- Village
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Description
One of four cottages in a row in the heart of Bantham village, 2 Bantham Holiday Cottages offers comfortable, modern, accommodation with a high standard of furnishings and views looking over Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island. Situated adjacent to The Sloop Inn and just a 5 minute walk to one of the best beaches in the region, this cottage offers a superb base for a beach side holiday whether you want to enjoy the watersports the beach has to offer, sample the stunning clifftop coastal walks along the South West Coastal Path, or simply to take in the sea air and watch the every changing scenery and tides.
Close to the market town of Kingsbridge and the yachting haven of Salcombe in the South Hams, the most southerly peninsula in Devon. The region is renowned for its temperate climate and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A short walk away there is an excellent village store as well as a the pub serving great food adjacent. Bantham Surf School offers lessons and equipment from the beach, where there is also the Gastrobus, serving food and drinks ( most of the year )and Pizza (Main season only). This really is a superb destination, offering flexible and comfortable accommodation all year round.
Please be advised:
Until the end of September 2020, due to Coronavirus, a paddock which lies in front of the cottages will be used as ancillary seating area for The Sloop Inn, and in use until 9pm daily. All windows are double glazed.
Step up to Ground Floor: Entrance hall with storage heater, tiled bathroom with shower over bath, basin, WC, shaver point and heated towel rail.
Utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer, sink and drying space. Staircase to
First Floor: Lounge diner with sofas and armchairs including a comfortable convertible sofa bed, dining table and chairs to seat up to six, Smart TV and fast wifi, Bluray DVD, feature electric fireplace. Separate cloakroom with WC and hand basin.
Fitted kitchen with built in electric fan oven and ceramic hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, Nespresso coffee machine.
Bedroom 1 with king size 5ft bed fitted wardrobes, dressing table, TV and electric panel heaters, USB charging plugs
Bedroom 2 with twin 3ft single beds, wardrobe, dressing table, TV, USB charging plugs.
The lounge and kitchen have superb views over the bay. All windows are double glazed.
To the front of the cottage entrance there is space for sandy boots, buckets and spades.
Bantham is well known for being one of South Devon’s best surf spots. Sitting at the mouth of the estuary with its shallow bathing waters, and large sandy beach and dunes, it provides a fantastic holiday base offering something for everyone. Frequented by families, water-sports enthusiasts and dog walkers, Bantham enjoys fantastic views across to Bigbury and the idyllic Burgh Island.
Up in the village there’s a small shop, Bantham Village Stores, which also serves breakfast with a stunning view from their terrace overlooking the river Avon, and The Sloop Inn where you can tuck into hearty portions of delicious homemade food and real ales. Meanwhile, if you’ve worked up an appetite on the beach, you can refuel at The Gastrobus in the beach car park where you’ll find a tempting array of locally produced hot and cold treats.
The main beach has lifeguard cover from May to October, and it is advisable to swim between the flags due to the tidal ebbs and flows. If you fancy taking the plunge and giving surfing a try, the Bantham Surfing Academy provides fantastic group and private lessons.
Bantham beach is a favourite spot for dog walkers, especially during the winter months. Dog restrictions apply on the main beach from May to September, however, you can walk your four-legged friend on the Avon estuary beach year-round, but be aware that this dog-friendly area is trickier to access at high tide.
A holiday cottage in Bantham offers traditional seaside holiday fun in an exceptionally scenic setting.
One car can normally be accommodated in the car cark which the cottages share with the Sloop Inn. However at busy times access and availability of space may be restricted.
Additional car parking is provided on Bantham Ham (Privately owned ) approx 150 yds from the cottage. One season ticket is provided for each cottage to enable parking on the ham whilst guests are on the beach, or parking is restricted at the Inn. (NO boat trailers are permitted.)
Features:
- Included: Bed linen, (not towels - guests are asked to provide their own or towels may be hired from an independent local company, www.3sheetstothewind.co.uk) Towels will be provided for overseas guests. High chair available - please advise at time of booking if required.
- Pets: 1 well behaved dog is welcome, (strictly not permitted on furniture or in bedrooms and must not be left unattended at the property) Pet charge £30 per dog per week.
- Telephone: Not provided. Mobile signal mixed, Wifi available.
- Village Shop 200 metres Village Pub adjacent Kingsbridge 5 miles Salcombe 10 miles
The Sloop Inn
(Less than a mile)
(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
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 Trevilder Restaurant, Thurlestone Hotel
(Less than a mile)
(6)
A fine dining restaurant open daily to non-residents of the hotel for lunch and dinner, offering menu’s using the finest local produce accompanied by an extensive wine list. Complementing the high quality cuisine are the breath taking views over Thurlestone Sands and out to sea.
The Trevilder Thurlestone Hotel, Thurlestone TQ7 3NN
We had afternoon tea on the terrace which has fantastic views to the sea in the distance. Tea was lovely with good service. Dogs are welcome.
July 2023
Was looking forward to dinner with friends on Friday of stay, but we were all disappointed in menu and quality of food served. Staff as delightful as ever.Very happy with lunchtime food and drinks on the terrace bar. Friends enjoyed the afternoon tea also on terrace bar.
June 2023
The Trevilder restaurant at the Thurlestone hotel lovely for a more formal occasion. The hotel is very comfortable and not far from the Yarmer beach which is accessed across the golf links.
April 2023
The Hotel was closed to non-residents during our week’s stay at Wagtails in June 2022
June 2022
Amazing food, fantastic staff!
September 2018
Lunch at the Thurlestone Hotel was a delightful experience. Fantastic food and excellent service. Lunch on the balcony in the sun with cocktails - who could ask for more!
August 2017
The Village Inn
(Less than a mile)
(102)
A popular 16th century inn complete with beams salvaged from Spanish Armada ships wrecked nearby and today enjoying stylish modern décor and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere . Plenty of comfortable seating areas inside and out, along with a menu offering freshly prepared meals and daily specials. Children and dogs welcome.
The Village Inn Thurlestone TQ7 3NN (T: 01548 563525)
An excellent pub with good drink and food and well located if staying in Thurlestone
April 2024
Good atmosphere, very friendly, lovely food, would recommend
March 2024
We are a party of 12, we are not made to feel welcome here as there were a few unnecessary comments made. I think this pub aims to prioritise the locals rather than the tourists. I wouldn’t recommend this establishment if you want to receive good service with a smile.
October 2023
Thurlestone PUB..... Too many dogs in restaurant (Big Dogs)...... Indifferent staff. Poor service.
September 2023
Great lunches and the family room was super for us
September 2023
Very friendly staff in a lovely pub. Food was ok although not the best we had in the area.
September 2023
lovely village pub, food and service was excellent.
August 2023
Enjoyed an excellent Sunday lunch. The service and quality of the food was very good.
August 2023
Great to have a pub walk to from the cottage. Great atmosphere. Helpful staff. Good food.
August 2023
Very pleasant restaurant.
July 2023
Delicious Sunday lunch with good prompt service. We had a baby with us and they provided an highchair. Also good meals during the week. Very friendly staff.
July 2023
Had a brilliant dish of Lobster and Chips - every ingredient cooked to perfection
July 2023
Food disappointing this year compared to excellent standard June2022
June 2023
Lovely food, great staff, really good!
June 2023
We all sat outside every evening and had two meals, one at each end of the holiday. Very friendly staff and good food.
June 2023
Love this pub. The food is good, the service is good, and you can’t beat sitting out in the sun for a drink!
June 2023
Nice pub but a bit expensive especially the drinks
May 2023
Been on several previous years, excellent food and service, that is why we returned. This year service was not good, only one dish was brought having ordered two!!! No bread although on menu!!! Food disappointing, artisan bread on type so hard it couldn’t be eaten, portions are smaller, but very expensive.
May 2023
We found the Village Inn excellent, the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, the food was very good and reasonable priced and there was an outstanding selection of local beers
May 2023
Great location and lovely food Staff very helpful and welcoming
July 2022
Lovely pub & food, great to be able to walk to
June 2022
Very good food and friendly staff. It is advisable to book ahead as they are often very busy. Car parking can also be an issue during busy periods.
June 2022
Wonderful main meal , but £9 for ice cream!
May 2022
We had lunch here frequently on our holiday in Thurlestone. Friendly & welcoming pub. Good menu selection. Relaxing atmosphere.
May 2022
Takeaway fish and chips very poor. Fish tough and batter soggy
May 2022
This was a great pub to visit and clearly popular. The staff young and some seemed overworked . Booking advised on weekend nights in particular
May 2022
Had an enjoyable meal here Saturday evening. Good service. Menu a little limited.
May 2022
Excellent food and service
April 2022
This was a nice pub with a lovely atmosphere. Food was solid pub grub and good value
April 2022
Tasty lunch and generous portions
April 2022
great village location. good atmosphere, friendly staff, serving good food.
April 2022
Nice pub with friendly staff. Food was quite good.
April 2022
Had a delicious Sunday lunch at the Village Inn and a couple of evening meals, all very good. Staff welcoming and helpful as always.
March 2022
Fantastic Sunday lunch, also lovely pizzas and the puddings were amazing! Also very welcoming to our (very large) dog.
March 2022
Excellent food and service.
October 2021
Enjoyed our lunchtime visit. However, we would have enjoyed longer opening hours
October 2021
Ate in the lounge twice - staff excellent, menu just OK. Someone needs to visit the Sloop snd then decide who does the best fish and chips!
September 2021
Very nice clean Inn. Excellent fish and chips !
September 2021
Lovely meal, good value.
August 2021
Wow the only pub/restaurant in Thurlestone and its chaos. The system whereby the barman takes your order and money, then another barman pours the drinks, and then another barman takes the tray when ready is madness. I went in on two occasions and there were about 7/8 trays all sitting there- average waiting time about 25-35 minutes - young inexperienced staff at the heart. Otherwise food delicious as always .
August 2021
Great pub with lively atmosphere, outside tables and excellent food menu
June 2021
Friendly pub close to thatched cottages. Sat outside with our dog, food was good and staff friendly and helpful.
June 2021
Very accommodating & friendly pub. We had a delicious sunday roast beef lunch & a very tasty halibut lunch on the friday. Had to brave the cold & damp english weather & sit outside due to Covid restrictions, but we thoroughly enjoyed eating out & the staff were very courteous too.
May 2021
Excellent food and drink despite the difficult circumstances (having to operate outside due to CO_VID restrictions)
May 2021
great food and beer
May 2021
We now it from pre Covid visits but this time we found the arrangements good and the staff extremely pleasant and friendly but professional at the same time.
April 2021
Warm friendly dog friendly staff and great food,
December 2020
Excellent food and service.Had 3 meals there in 5 days and was never disappointed.
October 2020
We love the Village Inn , fabulous food , great service and perfect to sit on the wall and have a drink at the end of a day on the beach
October 2020
Disappointing Village Inn Service and food was not up to the usual standard, food was below standard and late being served. This may be due to the conflict with providing a takeaway service as well. Drinks order was lost.
October 2020
Lovely atmosphere and great food. We went twice for lunch. Friendly staff and doggy friendly,too.
October 2020
Great takeaway Sunday lunch for six. Would definitely recommend !!
October 2020
Visited the Village Inn several times even trying out the takeaway Fish & Chips - on all occasions very impressed with the food quality and service - hope to see you next year!
September 2020
We had two great meals here, including a lovely Sunday lunch and the pub was very dog-friendly. Staff were friendly and accommodating and the COVID precautions made everything feel very safe.
September 2020
Had a lovely evening meal here. Distancing well managed. Also drinks outside at the front were good too.
September 2020
We had a lovely meal. The staff following all COVID
August 2020
We had a great meal here during our holiday. Everything was very well organised considering the tricky times we are in at the moment. The staff were really friendly and the food was great.
August 2020
Love this pub and very confident visiting this year with all the safe distancing they have put in place
August 2020
Excellent lunch and service.
August 2020
Love this inn. Friendly staff, great service and delicious food. They’ll even help you out if you arrive in Thurlestone without any ice!!
February 2020
Relaxed atmosphere with excellent food and a great selection of beers
February 2020
We had a tasty burger and a nice piece of fish. It was good food and quick service
September 2019
Lovely food and atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.
August 2019
Our family of 8 members ranging from 10 to 79, dined at The Village Inn, a couple of times while staying in Thurlstone, all very much enjoyed our meals, the salsa on my sea bass was exceptional, nice lively atmosphere, and good staff.
August 2019
Always great food
August 2019
Excellent service
July 2019
Very jolly and helpful service. The food was served very quickly and was generally good. Dogs are allowed. The menu is not changed very often, but a special menu changes each night. There is an overflow car park opposite the pub.
June 2019
Beautiful and welcoming, one of the highlights of my four year old grandson’s holiday ????
May 2019
We have visited over the past three years and on each occasion the Village Inn service and meals has been top notch. Keep it up.
May 2019
Lovely local dog friendly village pub which also will provide takeaway of their meals.
May 2019
Great food, friendly service
April 2019
Great food, particularly the gluten free choc brownies, they were unforgettable, the lounge is a lovely room.
April 2019
Great, atmospheric pub. We visited twice - with 10 then 6 people - and had consistently good service and food. Sunday roast was very generous portions and the a la carte during the week was excellent. Welcomed children but it wasn’t overrun with them.
April 2019
Good reception, great food and good atmosphere
December 2018
Had a lovely meal here. Fresh local fish and venison were beautiful. Menu quite limited and more expensive than other local pubs we tried but couldn’t fault the quality of the food.
November 2018
yes we have visited and received excellent service and food
October 2018
We hadn’t booked but were lucky to get a table in the bar. Very nice atmosphere and attractive surroundings. Staff are very pleasant and attentive. Varied menu with some specials. My husband had loin of lamb and I had whole plaice, both with fresh vegetables and both delicious. I would definitely go back.
September 2018
Refurbished since we were last in Thurlestone and a great improvement. Much more space (airconditioning in the back lounge!!). Food and service were very good and reasonably priced.
July 2018
Food, location and ambience all really good but I fear business may be a little too easy, as most of the male bar staff were indifferent, at best. Even asking bluntly for a tip as we were at the bar looking at our bill! Staff were certainly not rude but need to be more personable.
July 2018
Excellent service and food and very busy in good weather. Loads of free parking and some outside seating
July 2018
We had booked the family of 10 in for an early evening meal but found ourselves by the television screen, as it had been assumed we were a group of football supporters keen to see the World Cup match! However, once the mistake had been realised, we were given a big table elsewhere and enjoyed good food and service in pleasant surroundings.
July 2018
Visited several times during our stay, and ate there twice. Friendly staff and good food.
June 2018
Great food and reasonably priced. Seating outside with dogs is a bit small and right next to road.
June 2018
Friendly staff, lovely food and drinks.
June 2018
Excellent meal with friends
May 2018
We ate there once and enjoyed a nice meal. Fish and Chip evening is Fridays (cheaper!).
May 2018
Great Sunday lunch for a large group all were welcomed including our dogs, food was great, service was good & good value too
November 2017
This is a great pub. Good food, good selection of beers and drinks and very dog friendly. Tuesday is quiz night so there is a special discounted menu. Booking recommended.
September 2017
We booked a table for five on a Thursday evening, and had a wonderful meal, with friendly helpful staff and delicious food. Great emphasis on fish (the sea bass was much approved of) but the soup was very good, the venison stew was rich and flavoursome, and the blackberry and apple crumble and brownie were also very tasty. The loos are a treat too!
September 2017
We have visited Thurlestone many times staying also at the hotel which is excellent. However, the Pub has lost its way somewhere, the food this year in May we found not up to the previous high standard. Its basic 'pub grub' the staff certainly could do with training. Ok for a drink, but to eat, no keen, prefer the HOTEL
September 2017
Good pub atmosphere, and excellent decor, good food but over priced and service slow
August 2017
Great pub, excellent service and food, we will be back as soon as possible!
July 2017
Food was good but service was rushed
July 2017
A very nice meal at quite a reasonable price. Really helpful to be able to take the dog in.....!
July 2017
Incredible pub. The food is outstanding with a newly earned rosette. The staff were really friendly and a great atmosphere. Would 100% recommend it for families and romantic couples!!
July 2017
Quintessential pub! As a 3-generational family on holiday, we had a lot of fun here each evening. The pub is fine for families (childrens menu etc), but there isn't any outside space suitable for families.
June 2017
This was a very dissappointing experience the staff require some good professional training and food is poor quality.
June 2017
Excellent service provided by happy efficient staff. The food was super
May 2017
Visited twice, lovely meals both times, friendly staff and good that we could take our dog with us.
May 2017
Great pub, gets busy so I'd advise booking a table if you want to eat and their Sunday lunches are great.
May 2017
Lovely pub, good food.
January 2017
we've been coming to thurlestone for years and loved the new look pub this summer. The renovation is really nice and we had a great meal on our last night
December 2016
Venus café - Bigbury on Sea
(2 miles)
(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
Bantham Surfing Academy
(Less than a mile)
(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
SUP Away
(Less than a mile)
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
SUP2You
(Less than a mile)
Sup2You offers simple online hire of inflatable paddle boards making it easier than ever to get out and enjoy the UK’s beaches, coastline and waterways. Paddleboarding is the perfect way to stay active, have fun with your family and explore the beautiful region where you’re staying; but with everything else you need to bring on holiday sometimes you won’t have the car space to bring your own! With SUP2You the process couldn’t be easier, simply click the link below, select the board and duration online, and your paddleboard will be couriered next day to your holiday cottage.
Click here for further information
Toad Hall Cottages guests can enjoy 10% off their hire when booking for 3 days or more with code Toad10
SUP Away
(Less than a mile)
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
The Voyage Spa
(Less than a mile)
(3)
Indulge in a spot of pampering at The Voyage Spa in Thurlestone's iconic hotel. Having recently undergone a complete refurbishment, this beautiful spa combines luxurious modern facilities with a boutique touches to celebrate the region's nautical past. There are three beauty rooms offering a range of treatments as well as a pool, sauna, hydrotherapy pool, fitness studio, steam room and a laconium.
Click here to find out more.
I didn't go this time, but I have been a few times in the past, and my experience is always excellent! Wonderful staff and treatments.
July 2023
Good value spa afternoon/ evening .
May 2022
Perfect, sheer heaven
May 2021
Leas Foot Sands
(Less than a mile)
(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
Bigbury on Sea
(2 miles)
(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
South Milton Sands
(2 miles)
(45)
A long stretch of sand broken only by the South Milton Ley freshwater reed bed, South Milton Sands is a dramatic beach that’s exposed to the elements, making it something of a chameleon throughout the year. Rugged in its beauty, there’s nothing quite like watching the sun set at this beach behind an iconic rock archway in the water; it really is spectacular, particularly if you do so over dinner in the summer months from The Beach Café, a small but perfectly formed restaurant and café that’s perched just above the sand. If you want a table inside then you really do have to book this one, but if the weather is fine then eating outside is a joy. The beach is sandy and popular on windy days with kite surfers and windsurfers, but in calmer weather is perfect for a summer swim. Dogs are welcome at South Milton throughout the year, there’s a National Trust car park by the beach which costs from £5 for the day, £3 after 4pm or is free for National Trust members. There are also toilets nearby. It’s also worth knowing that in the summer months lifeguards are in situ from 6th July until 8th September, keeping everyone safe in the sun, sea and sand. When the weather is less conducive to sitting and admiring the view, South Milton is perfectly placed for a stroll along the coast path either towards Hope Cove and around towards Salcombe if you fancy making a day of it, or in the opposite direction you can walk towards Bantham and Bigbury on Sea. It’s a wonderful place to explore and watch Devon’s wildlife in all its glory.
We love this all year round very dog friendly beach. Great even when the tide in. Plenty of parking and a great cafe to boot.
October 2023
Beautiful beach and we had the added bonus of the Rockbox pop up bar being directly behind. If you are staying in hope cove it is worth the 20 minute walk to get here as much better than the hope cove beaches, also has toilet facilities.
September 2023
Lovely sandy beach, easy parking and clean beach
September 2023
Great beach for swimming , paddle boarding and playing with the dog. very good access to food and drink outlets.
September 2023
Lovely location. Walk from Banthan, thru Thurlestone on to South Milton
July 2023
A lovely family beach to enjoy rock pooling with the children.national trust carpark free for members.
July 2023
Beautiful beach, easy access, with lovely cafe and toilets near by.
June 2023
Beautiful beach with sand and rock pools. Canoes etc available to hire at reasonable prices and cafe with great food and drink
June 2023
Beautiful beach for all the family . Dog friendly and good for SUP's and canoes etc.
August 2022
Beautiful beach and safe water.
July 2022
Very clean, Fantastic dog friendly beach
May 2022
very good beach, dog friendly. the road access is via single car lanes with passing places, this seems to work early season apr/may but could be fun in the high season.
May 2022
Wonderful sandy dog friendly beach
May 2022
Lovely walk across the beach
October 2021
Lovely beach. Great for dogs too. The car park is owned by national trust and if you don’t have any money for the parking you need to download the app. Problem there is no signal once you are there to pay for your parking! Best bring change.
September 2021
We walked along to this beach and found it to be a very pleasant.
September 2021
Lovely, clean and not busy
September 2021
Lovely Beach!
July 2021
fantastic beach - safe and so clean - could hardly believe how clears the water was !
July 2021
Lovely beach. Great catering facilities and clean, free lavatories. The car park is large and as a member of the National Trust parking was free (usually £6)
July 2021
Beautiful sandy beach. Large well organised NT car park which filled up quickly on a sunny weekend. Younger family members enjoyed hiring a paddle board for half an hour. Wet suits a good idea!
June 2021
Lovely sandy beach.
June 2021
lovely area
May 2021
Perfect beach for early morning dog walks.
May 2021
Lovely beach with fantastic cafe
April 2021
Fabulous beach, we loved our walks in the morning and early evening
October 2020
Really lovely long stretch of uncrowded sandy beach, ample parking, clear water.
October 2020
Beach is beautiful but steep to walk down from the car park
September 2020
Perfect safe and sandy beach. Lovely and fairly easy walk to/from Hope Cove with great views along the way.
August 2020
Fabulous sandy beach with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. Ideal for children and dig friendly too
August 2019
Fantastic to be able to walk dogs down there. Nice cafe. Could do with dog poo bag bins on or near beach Car parking expensive just to be on beach for half an hour
August 2019
Great beach! Also we enjoyed being able to rent paddle boards.
August 2019
South Milton sands is a beautiful beach. Arrive early to get a good parking space as it does get quite busy. The beach is sand and shingle. £5 per day for parking, great value. The only shame is that there were too many paddle boards getting in the way of swimmers. Maybe a cordened off area for swimmers would be better.
August 2019
We walked over from Hope Cove and found it a pretty unattractive beach with a massive pipe leading out to sea and a horrible sewage smell. Happy we hadn't bothered to go there for a day out!
July 2019
We loved this beach and returned a number of times during our stay. Safe shallow water for the family with some good waves for body-boarding as the tide came in and friendly life guards in attendance all day! Easy access from the car park - facilities nearby and dog friendly - everything we needed! We also enjoyed the cliff top walk to nearby hope cove on one afternoon.
July 2019
A lovely beach with plenty to look at. Dogs are allowed - very good for children if supervised.
June 2019
Lovely beach, stunning views and a safe place for children to rock pool, and swim. Spoiled for us by the large numbers of kite surfers dominating the water along with the surf school who took little account of those families enjoying the beach ordering people out of the water when they had a schooling session on. Words were had. They need to understand it isn't their property and if people want to enjoy the beach, they need to move to a spot where they aren't bothering people. Good car parking and a nice little cafe selling cakes/flapjacks and coffee with WC next to it, so beach-goers are well catered for. Could have done without the thump thump music and bar flies in shades but that's typical of many such places these days. On the whole a great beach with decent accessibility via car or foot and preferable in many ways to the larger beach at Thurlestone during peak times, and preferable to the beaches at Hope Cove when busy.
June 2019
great beach only bad thing is its owned by the national trust and parking is £5.00 no matter how short or long you want to stay no option of paying by the hour
October 2018
A great beach but at £5 a day to visit (National Trust!) rather expensive. Variable rate better.
October 2018
Excellent beach, well maintained and dogs allowed all year round. Great range of activities to enjoy from swimming, snorkelling, SUP, kite surfing, kayaking and scrambling when the tide is out. Loved it and will return
June 2018
Amazin beach - especially when the tide goes out and all the rock pools come out to play!!! Shame about the coarse 'sand', but that can't be helped; just get some shingle shoes. If you want sand go to North Sands or Bantham!
August 2017
A glorious beach! Dog friendly, sandy, rock pools at the far end. Parking handy, spectacular views - the stone arch beats Durdle Door in my mind..... Delightful. Loved it.
July 2017
Fabulous dog friendly beach with amazing views
June 2017
Beautiful.
May 2017
Fantastic sandy beach for everything, rock pools, building sandcastles body boarding.
April 2017
Challaborough Bay
(2 miles)
(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
Bantham Beach
(2 miles)
(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
July 2021
Our stay was excellent. Thank you so much
September 2020
Juggling parking - competing with the guests of the next door pub was the only down-side of the location. Having said that: was a wonderful location and I had a fantastic holiday!
July 2021
Our stay was excellent. Thank you so much
September 2020
Juggling parking - competing with the guests of the next door pub was the only down-side of the location. Having said that: was a wonderful location and I had a fantastic holiday!
The Sloop Inn
(Less than a mile)
(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
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 Trevilder Restaurant, Thurlestone Hotel
(Less than a mile)
(6)
A fine dining restaurant open daily to non-residents of the hotel for lunch and dinner, offering menu’s using the finest local produce accompanied by an extensive wine list. Complementing the high quality cuisine are the breath taking views over Thurlestone Sands and out to sea.
The Trevilder Thurlestone Hotel, Thurlestone TQ7 3NN
We had afternoon tea on the terrace which has fantastic views to the sea in the distance. Tea was lovely with good service. Dogs are welcome.
July 2023
Was looking forward to dinner with friends on Friday of stay, but we were all disappointed in menu and quality of food served. Staff as delightful as ever.Very happy with lunchtime food and drinks on the terrace bar. Friends enjoyed the afternoon tea also on terrace bar.
June 2023
The Trevilder restaurant at the Thurlestone hotel lovely for a more formal occasion. The hotel is very comfortable and not far from the Yarmer beach which is accessed across the golf links.
April 2023
The Hotel was closed to non-residents during our week’s stay at Wagtails in June 2022
June 2022
Amazing food, fantastic staff!
September 2018
Lunch at the Thurlestone Hotel was a delightful experience. Fantastic food and excellent service. Lunch on the balcony in the sun with cocktails - who could ask for more!
August 2017
The Village Inn
(Less than a mile)
(102)
A popular 16th century inn complete with beams salvaged from Spanish Armada ships wrecked nearby and today enjoying stylish modern décor and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere . Plenty of comfortable seating areas inside and out, along with a menu offering freshly prepared meals and daily specials. Children and dogs welcome.
The Village Inn Thurlestone TQ7 3NN (T: 01548 563525)
An excellent pub with good drink and food and well located if staying in Thurlestone
April 2024
Good atmosphere, very friendly, lovely food, would recommend
March 2024
We are a party of 12, we are not made to feel welcome here as there were a few unnecessary comments made. I think this pub aims to prioritise the locals rather than the tourists. I wouldn’t recommend this establishment if you want to receive good service with a smile.
October 2023
Thurlestone PUB..... Too many dogs in restaurant (Big Dogs)...... Indifferent staff. Poor service.
September 2023
Great lunches and the family room was super for us
September 2023
Very friendly staff in a lovely pub. Food was ok although not the best we had in the area.
September 2023
lovely village pub, food and service was excellent.
August 2023
Enjoyed an excellent Sunday lunch. The service and quality of the food was very good.
August 2023
Great to have a pub walk to from the cottage. Great atmosphere. Helpful staff. Good food.
August 2023
Very pleasant restaurant.
July 2023
Delicious Sunday lunch with good prompt service. We had a baby with us and they provided an highchair. Also good meals during the week. Very friendly staff.
July 2023
Had a brilliant dish of Lobster and Chips - every ingredient cooked to perfection
July 2023
Food disappointing this year compared to excellent standard June2022
June 2023
Lovely food, great staff, really good!
June 2023
We all sat outside every evening and had two meals, one at each end of the holiday. Very friendly staff and good food.
June 2023
Love this pub. The food is good, the service is good, and you can’t beat sitting out in the sun for a drink!
June 2023
Nice pub but a bit expensive especially the drinks
May 2023
Been on several previous years, excellent food and service, that is why we returned. This year service was not good, only one dish was brought having ordered two!!! No bread although on menu!!! Food disappointing, artisan bread on type so hard it couldn’t be eaten, portions are smaller, but very expensive.
May 2023
We found the Village Inn excellent, the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, the food was very good and reasonable priced and there was an outstanding selection of local beers
May 2023
Great location and lovely food Staff very helpful and welcoming
July 2022
Lovely pub & food, great to be able to walk to
June 2022
Very good food and friendly staff. It is advisable to book ahead as they are often very busy. Car parking can also be an issue during busy periods.
June 2022
Wonderful main meal , but £9 for ice cream!
May 2022
We had lunch here frequently on our holiday in Thurlestone. Friendly & welcoming pub. Good menu selection. Relaxing atmosphere.
May 2022
Takeaway fish and chips very poor. Fish tough and batter soggy
May 2022
This was a great pub to visit and clearly popular. The staff young and some seemed overworked . Booking advised on weekend nights in particular
May 2022
Had an enjoyable meal here Saturday evening. Good service. Menu a little limited.
May 2022
Excellent food and service
April 2022
This was a nice pub with a lovely atmosphere. Food was solid pub grub and good value
April 2022
Tasty lunch and generous portions
April 2022
great village location. good atmosphere, friendly staff, serving good food.
April 2022
Nice pub with friendly staff. Food was quite good.
April 2022
Had a delicious Sunday lunch at the Village Inn and a couple of evening meals, all very good. Staff welcoming and helpful as always.
March 2022
Fantastic Sunday lunch, also lovely pizzas and the puddings were amazing! Also very welcoming to our (very large) dog.
March 2022
Excellent food and service.
October 2021
Enjoyed our lunchtime visit. However, we would have enjoyed longer opening hours
October 2021
Ate in the lounge twice - staff excellent, menu just OK. Someone needs to visit the Sloop snd then decide who does the best fish and chips!
September 2021
Very nice clean Inn. Excellent fish and chips !
September 2021
Lovely meal, good value.
August 2021
Wow the only pub/restaurant in Thurlestone and its chaos. The system whereby the barman takes your order and money, then another barman pours the drinks, and then another barman takes the tray when ready is madness. I went in on two occasions and there were about 7/8 trays all sitting there- average waiting time about 25-35 minutes - young inexperienced staff at the heart. Otherwise food delicious as always .
August 2021
Great pub with lively atmosphere, outside tables and excellent food menu
June 2021
Friendly pub close to thatched cottages. Sat outside with our dog, food was good and staff friendly and helpful.
June 2021
Very accommodating & friendly pub. We had a delicious sunday roast beef lunch & a very tasty halibut lunch on the friday. Had to brave the cold & damp english weather & sit outside due to Covid restrictions, but we thoroughly enjoyed eating out & the staff were very courteous too.
May 2021
Excellent food and drink despite the difficult circumstances (having to operate outside due to CO_VID restrictions)
May 2021
great food and beer
May 2021
We now it from pre Covid visits but this time we found the arrangements good and the staff extremely pleasant and friendly but professional at the same time.
April 2021
Warm friendly dog friendly staff and great food,
December 2020
Excellent food and service.Had 3 meals there in 5 days and was never disappointed.
October 2020
We love the Village Inn , fabulous food , great service and perfect to sit on the wall and have a drink at the end of a day on the beach
October 2020
Disappointing Village Inn Service and food was not up to the usual standard, food was below standard and late being served. This may be due to the conflict with providing a takeaway service as well. Drinks order was lost.
October 2020
Lovely atmosphere and great food. We went twice for lunch. Friendly staff and doggy friendly,too.
October 2020
Great takeaway Sunday lunch for six. Would definitely recommend !!
October 2020
Visited the Village Inn several times even trying out the takeaway Fish & Chips - on all occasions very impressed with the food quality and service - hope to see you next year!
September 2020
We had two great meals here, including a lovely Sunday lunch and the pub was very dog-friendly. Staff were friendly and accommodating and the COVID precautions made everything feel very safe.
September 2020
Had a lovely evening meal here. Distancing well managed. Also drinks outside at the front were good too.
September 2020
We had a lovely meal. The staff following all COVID
August 2020
We had a great meal here during our holiday. Everything was very well organised considering the tricky times we are in at the moment. The staff were really friendly and the food was great.
August 2020
Love this pub and very confident visiting this year with all the safe distancing they have put in place
August 2020
Excellent lunch and service.
August 2020
Love this inn. Friendly staff, great service and delicious food. They’ll even help you out if you arrive in Thurlestone without any ice!!
February 2020
Relaxed atmosphere with excellent food and a great selection of beers
February 2020
We had a tasty burger and a nice piece of fish. It was good food and quick service
September 2019
Lovely food and atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.
August 2019
Our family of 8 members ranging from 10 to 79, dined at The Village Inn, a couple of times while staying in Thurlstone, all very much enjoyed our meals, the salsa on my sea bass was exceptional, nice lively atmosphere, and good staff.
August 2019
Always great food
August 2019
Excellent service
July 2019
Very jolly and helpful service. The food was served very quickly and was generally good. Dogs are allowed. The menu is not changed very often, but a special menu changes each night. There is an overflow car park opposite the pub.
June 2019
Beautiful and welcoming, one of the highlights of my four year old grandson’s holiday ????
May 2019
We have visited over the past three years and on each occasion the Village Inn service and meals has been top notch. Keep it up.
May 2019
Lovely local dog friendly village pub which also will provide takeaway of their meals.
May 2019
Great food, friendly service
April 2019
Great food, particularly the gluten free choc brownies, they were unforgettable, the lounge is a lovely room.
April 2019
Great, atmospheric pub. We visited twice - with 10 then 6 people - and had consistently good service and food. Sunday roast was very generous portions and the a la carte during the week was excellent. Welcomed children but it wasn’t overrun with them.
April 2019
Good reception, great food and good atmosphere
December 2018
Had a lovely meal here. Fresh local fish and venison were beautiful. Menu quite limited and more expensive than other local pubs we tried but couldn’t fault the quality of the food.
November 2018
yes we have visited and received excellent service and food
October 2018
We hadn’t booked but were lucky to get a table in the bar. Very nice atmosphere and attractive surroundings. Staff are very pleasant and attentive. Varied menu with some specials. My husband had loin of lamb and I had whole plaice, both with fresh vegetables and both delicious. I would definitely go back.
September 2018
Refurbished since we were last in Thurlestone and a great improvement. Much more space (airconditioning in the back lounge!!). Food and service were very good and reasonably priced.
July 2018
Food, location and ambience all really good but I fear business may be a little too easy, as most of the male bar staff were indifferent, at best. Even asking bluntly for a tip as we were at the bar looking at our bill! Staff were certainly not rude but need to be more personable.
July 2018
Excellent service and food and very busy in good weather. Loads of free parking and some outside seating
July 2018
We had booked the family of 10 in for an early evening meal but found ourselves by the television screen, as it had been assumed we were a group of football supporters keen to see the World Cup match! However, once the mistake had been realised, we were given a big table elsewhere and enjoyed good food and service in pleasant surroundings.
July 2018
Visited several times during our stay, and ate there twice. Friendly staff and good food.
June 2018
Great food and reasonably priced. Seating outside with dogs is a bit small and right next to road.
June 2018
Friendly staff, lovely food and drinks.
June 2018
Excellent meal with friends
May 2018
We ate there once and enjoyed a nice meal. Fish and Chip evening is Fridays (cheaper!).
May 2018
Great Sunday lunch for a large group all were welcomed including our dogs, food was great, service was good & good value too
November 2017
This is a great pub. Good food, good selection of beers and drinks and very dog friendly. Tuesday is quiz night so there is a special discounted menu. Booking recommended.
September 2017
We booked a table for five on a Thursday evening, and had a wonderful meal, with friendly helpful staff and delicious food. Great emphasis on fish (the sea bass was much approved of) but the soup was very good, the venison stew was rich and flavoursome, and the blackberry and apple crumble and brownie were also very tasty. The loos are a treat too!
September 2017
We have visited Thurlestone many times staying also at the hotel which is excellent. However, the Pub has lost its way somewhere, the food this year in May we found not up to the previous high standard. Its basic 'pub grub' the staff certainly could do with training. Ok for a drink, but to eat, no keen, prefer the HOTEL
September 2017
Good pub atmosphere, and excellent decor, good food but over priced and service slow
August 2017
Great pub, excellent service and food, we will be back as soon as possible!
July 2017
Food was good but service was rushed
July 2017
A very nice meal at quite a reasonable price. Really helpful to be able to take the dog in.....!
July 2017
Incredible pub. The food is outstanding with a newly earned rosette. The staff were really friendly and a great atmosphere. Would 100% recommend it for families and romantic couples!!
July 2017
Quintessential pub! As a 3-generational family on holiday, we had a lot of fun here each evening. The pub is fine for families (childrens menu etc), but there isn't any outside space suitable for families.
June 2017
This was a very dissappointing experience the staff require some good professional training and food is poor quality.
June 2017
Excellent service provided by happy efficient staff. The food was super
May 2017
Visited twice, lovely meals both times, friendly staff and good that we could take our dog with us.
May 2017
Great pub, gets busy so I'd advise booking a table if you want to eat and their Sunday lunches are great.
May 2017
Lovely pub, good food.
January 2017
we've been coming to thurlestone for years and loved the new look pub this summer. The renovation is really nice and we had a great meal on our last night
December 2016
Venus café - Bigbury on Sea
(2 miles)
(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
Bantham Surfing Academy
(Less than a mile)
(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
SUP Away
(Less than a mile)
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
SUP2You
(Less than a mile)
Sup2You offers simple online hire of inflatable paddle boards making it easier than ever to get out and enjoy the UK’s beaches, coastline and waterways. Paddleboarding is the perfect way to stay active, have fun with your family and explore the beautiful region where you’re staying; but with everything else you need to bring on holiday sometimes you won’t have the car space to bring your own! With SUP2You the process couldn’t be easier, simply click the link below, select the board and duration online, and your paddleboard will be couriered next day to your holiday cottage.
Click here for further information
Toad Hall Cottages guests can enjoy 10% off their hire when booking for 3 days or more with code Toad10
SUP Away
(Less than a mile)
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
The Voyage Spa
(Less than a mile)
(3)
Indulge in a spot of pampering at The Voyage Spa in Thurlestone's iconic hotel. Having recently undergone a complete refurbishment, this beautiful spa combines luxurious modern facilities with a boutique touches to celebrate the region's nautical past. There are three beauty rooms offering a range of treatments as well as a pool, sauna, hydrotherapy pool, fitness studio, steam room and a laconium.
Click here to find out more.
I didn't go this time, but I have been a few times in the past, and my experience is always excellent! Wonderful staff and treatments.
July 2023
Good value spa afternoon/ evening .
May 2022
Perfect, sheer heaven
May 2021
Leas Foot Sands
(Less than a mile)
(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
Bigbury on Sea
(2 miles)
(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
South Milton Sands
(2 miles)
(45)
A long stretch of sand broken only by the South Milton Ley freshwater reed bed, South Milton Sands is a dramatic beach that’s exposed to the elements, making it something of a chameleon throughout the year. Rugged in its beauty, there’s nothing quite like watching the sun set at this beach behind an iconic rock archway in the water; it really is spectacular, particularly if you do so over dinner in the summer months from The Beach Café, a small but perfectly formed restaurant and café that’s perched just above the sand. If you want a table inside then you really do have to book this one, but if the weather is fine then eating outside is a joy. The beach is sandy and popular on windy days with kite surfers and windsurfers, but in calmer weather is perfect for a summer swim. Dogs are welcome at South Milton throughout the year, there’s a National Trust car park by the beach which costs from £5 for the day, £3 after 4pm or is free for National Trust members. There are also toilets nearby. It’s also worth knowing that in the summer months lifeguards are in situ from 6th July until 8th September, keeping everyone safe in the sun, sea and sand. When the weather is less conducive to sitting and admiring the view, South Milton is perfectly placed for a stroll along the coast path either towards Hope Cove and around towards Salcombe if you fancy making a day of it, or in the opposite direction you can walk towards Bantham and Bigbury on Sea. It’s a wonderful place to explore and watch Devon’s wildlife in all its glory.
We love this all year round very dog friendly beach. Great even when the tide in. Plenty of parking and a great cafe to boot.
October 2023
Beautiful beach and we had the added bonus of the Rockbox pop up bar being directly behind. If you are staying in hope cove it is worth the 20 minute walk to get here as much better than the hope cove beaches, also has toilet facilities.
September 2023
Lovely sandy beach, easy parking and clean beach
September 2023
Great beach for swimming , paddle boarding and playing with the dog. very good access to food and drink outlets.
September 2023
Lovely location. Walk from Banthan, thru Thurlestone on to South Milton
July 2023
A lovely family beach to enjoy rock pooling with the children.national trust carpark free for members.
July 2023
Beautiful beach, easy access, with lovely cafe and toilets near by.
June 2023
Beautiful beach with sand and rock pools. Canoes etc available to hire at reasonable prices and cafe with great food and drink
June 2023
Beautiful beach for all the family . Dog friendly and good for SUP's and canoes etc.
August 2022
Beautiful beach and safe water.
July 2022
Very clean, Fantastic dog friendly beach
May 2022
very good beach, dog friendly. the road access is via single car lanes with passing places, this seems to work early season apr/may but could be fun in the high season.
May 2022
Wonderful sandy dog friendly beach
May 2022
Lovely walk across the beach
October 2021
Lovely beach. Great for dogs too. The car park is owned by national trust and if you don’t have any money for the parking you need to download the app. Problem there is no signal once you are there to pay for your parking! Best bring change.
September 2021
We walked along to this beach and found it to be a very pleasant.
September 2021
Lovely, clean and not busy
September 2021
Lovely Beach!
July 2021
fantastic beach - safe and so clean - could hardly believe how clears the water was !
July 2021
Lovely beach. Great catering facilities and clean, free lavatories. The car park is large and as a member of the National Trust parking was free (usually £6)
July 2021
Beautiful sandy beach. Large well organised NT car park which filled up quickly on a sunny weekend. Younger family members enjoyed hiring a paddle board for half an hour. Wet suits a good idea!
June 2021
Lovely sandy beach.
June 2021
lovely area
May 2021
Perfect beach for early morning dog walks.
May 2021
Lovely beach with fantastic cafe
April 2021
Fabulous beach, we loved our walks in the morning and early evening
October 2020
Really lovely long stretch of uncrowded sandy beach, ample parking, clear water.
October 2020
Beach is beautiful but steep to walk down from the car park
September 2020
Perfect safe and sandy beach. Lovely and fairly easy walk to/from Hope Cove with great views along the way.
August 2020
Fabulous sandy beach with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. Ideal for children and dig friendly too
August 2019
Fantastic to be able to walk dogs down there. Nice cafe. Could do with dog poo bag bins on or near beach Car parking expensive just to be on beach for half an hour
August 2019
Great beach! Also we enjoyed being able to rent paddle boards.
August 2019
South Milton sands is a beautiful beach. Arrive early to get a good parking space as it does get quite busy. The beach is sand and shingle. £5 per day for parking, great value. The only shame is that there were too many paddle boards getting in the way of swimmers. Maybe a cordened off area for swimmers would be better.
August 2019
We walked over from Hope Cove and found it a pretty unattractive beach with a massive pipe leading out to sea and a horrible sewage smell. Happy we hadn't bothered to go there for a day out!
July 2019
We loved this beach and returned a number of times during our stay. Safe shallow water for the family with some good waves for body-boarding as the tide came in and friendly life guards in attendance all day! Easy access from the car park - facilities nearby and dog friendly - everything we needed! We also enjoyed the cliff top walk to nearby hope cove on one afternoon.
July 2019
A lovely beach with plenty to look at. Dogs are allowed - very good for children if supervised.
June 2019
Lovely beach, stunning views and a safe place for children to rock pool, and swim. Spoiled for us by the large numbers of kite surfers dominating the water along with the surf school who took little account of those families enjoying the beach ordering people out of the water when they had a schooling session on. Words were had. They need to understand it isn't their property and if people want to enjoy the beach, they need to move to a spot where they aren't bothering people. Good car parking and a nice little cafe selling cakes/flapjacks and coffee with WC next to it, so beach-goers are well catered for. Could have done without the thump thump music and bar flies in shades but that's typical of many such places these days. On the whole a great beach with decent accessibility via car or foot and preferable in many ways to the larger beach at Thurlestone during peak times, and preferable to the beaches at Hope Cove when busy.
June 2019
great beach only bad thing is its owned by the national trust and parking is £5.00 no matter how short or long you want to stay no option of paying by the hour
October 2018
A great beach but at £5 a day to visit (National Trust!) rather expensive. Variable rate better.
October 2018
Excellent beach, well maintained and dogs allowed all year round. Great range of activities to enjoy from swimming, snorkelling, SUP, kite surfing, kayaking and scrambling when the tide is out. Loved it and will return
June 2018
Amazin beach - especially when the tide goes out and all the rock pools come out to play!!! Shame about the coarse 'sand', but that can't be helped; just get some shingle shoes. If you want sand go to North Sands or Bantham!
August 2017
A glorious beach! Dog friendly, sandy, rock pools at the far end. Parking handy, spectacular views - the stone arch beats Durdle Door in my mind..... Delightful. Loved it.
July 2017
Fabulous dog friendly beach with amazing views
June 2017
Beautiful.
May 2017
Fantastic sandy beach for everything, rock pools, building sandcastles body boarding.
April 2017
Challaborough Bay
(2 miles)
(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
Bantham Beach
(2 miles)
(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
Your selected break
Other available dates
Book now & only pay 1/3 today
With our advanced booking deposit scheme only pay 1/3 today (available on bookings over 6 weeks in advance).
Your booking is safe and secure