Beaches in South West England
Explore the region
Featured beaches
Cornwall
Sandy
The St Ives branch line runs right along the top of this beach — you can watch trains pass from the sand.
Cornwall
Sandy
Two miles of open sand run by the Extreme Academy — surfing, kitesurfing and land-yachting lessons straight off the beach.
Devon
Sandy
A surf beach at the mouth of the River Avon estuary, part of the same stretch of coast as South Milton Sands and Thurlestone.
Devon
Sandy
A sheltered sandy bay reached by Salcombe's colourful passenger ferry, calmer water than East Portlemouth across the estuary.
Devon
Sandy
Reached only by a small passenger ferry across the estuary from Salcombe — the only beach on this stretch you arrive at by boat.
Dorset
PebbleSandy
The town's main beach, sand giving way to shingle at a jetty that runs down to the Cobb, Lyme Regis's historic harbour wall.
Dorset
Sandy
Backed by open heathland with strong family facilities, and the home of Studland's naturist beach section.
Cornwall
Sandy
Reached by a seasonal rowing-boat ferry across the Gannel estuary — the only beach on this list you arrive at by boat.
