Challaborough Beach

The stretch of sand at Challaborough opens up without fanfare - one minute you're walking through coastal scrub, the next you're faced with a proper wide beach backed by low cliffs and dunes. It's the kind of place that doesn't announce itself, which is partly why it works so well. The beach shelves gradually, making it decent for swimming if the conditions are right, though like most South Devon beaches it can get a bit choppy depending on the swell.

Families with younger kids will find it peaceful enough. There's space to spread out, and the dunes provide some shelter from the wind. Walkers appreciate it as a break in the coastal path rather than a destination in itself - you're looking at a couple of hours maximum before you've had enough. The nearest facilities are in Kingsbridge, a few miles inland, so bring what you need.

It's the kind of beach that rewards a low-key approach. Don't expect anything dramatic - no rockpools, no dramatic stacks, no ice cream van. What you get is sand, sea, and relative quiet, which frankly beats the crowded spots along this coast. Worth tacking onto a longer walk rather than planning your day around it.

If you're based at South Devon Camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm or Karrageen just up the road, Challaborough is a fifteen-minute drive and worth an afternoon. Hidden Hill's glamping guests could do worse than a beach visit to balance out the hot tubs.