Sunny Cove

The beach at Sunny Cove delivers exactly what the name promises - a south-facing stretch of sand that catches proper sunshine even when the rest of Devon's brooding. It's a compact affair near Kingsbridge, the kind of place locals know well and visitors stumble upon by accident, which is rather the point.

What you get here is straightforward: golden sand, clear water on a good day, and enough shelter from the surrounding cliffs to make it genuinely warm when the sun's out. The cove itself is small enough to explore in an hour, though families with young children will find it manageable - shallow at the edges, rock pools to poke about in, and enough space to lay out a towel without feeling cramped. It's not dramatic or wild; it's just a proper working beach where people come to swim and sit.

The walk down isn't steep, which counts for something. Parking nearby can be tight in summer, so early morning or late afternoon is your best bet. There's no beach shop or café to speak of, so bring what you need.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Wilton Farm or Karrageen are both within spitting distance - this makes an easy afternoon swim rather than a destination in itself. It slots perfectly into a wider South Devon coast exploration rather than being the main event. Worth the detour if you're in the area; don't plan your holiday around it.