Mattiscombe Sands

This remote pebble and sand beach near Salcombe rewards the adventurous with its wild beauty and relative isolation, requiring a scenic 45-minute coastal walk from the nearest car park through some of Devon's most spectacular countryside, passing through ancient oak woodlands and across windswept headlands with breathtaking views across the Salcombe estuary. The beach offers excellent rock pooling opportunities at its eastern end, where granite boulders create natural aquariums filled with colorful anemones, hermit crabs, and small fish, while the western section provides a more sandy environment perfect for those seeking solitude and contemplation. The surrounding South West Coast Path offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Britain, with towering cliffs, hidden coves, and panoramic vistas that change with the light and weather, while the beach's exposure to Atlantic swells creates powerful waves that attract experienced surfers but require caution for swimmers. The absence of facilities adds to its wild charm, so visitors should come prepared with food, water, and appropriate clothing for the changeable coastal weather