10 best beaches near Dartmouth
Our favourite beaches around Dartmouth and Start Bay, with how far each one is from Leonards Cove, what the beach is like, parking and whether dogs are allowed. Written by the team at Leonards Cove, on the clifftop at Stoke Fleming.
Best all-rounder: Blackpool Sands, under a mile from us. Best hidden coves: Castle Cove and Sugary Cove below Dartmouth Castle. Best for dogs all year: Slapton Sands. Best for sand: Mill Bay.
At a glance
| Beach | From Leonards Cove | Type | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackpool Sands | Under a mile, or about 20 minutes on foot | Shingle | Not allowed 1 May to 30 Sep. Welcome from 1 Oct |
| Castle Cove | About 5 minutes by car to Dartmouth Castle | Sand and pebbles, small | Allowed all year |
| Sugary Cove | Just past Castle Cove | Pebbles and sand, small | Allowed all year |
| Compass Cove | About 4 minutes to the National Trust car park at Little Dartmouth, then the coast path | Sand, shingle and rocks | Check local signs |
| Slapton Sands, Strete Gate | About 10 minutes | Shingle | Allowed all year |
| Slapton Sands, Memorial car park | About 10 minutes | Shingle | Allowed all year |
| Beesands | About 25 to 30 minutes inland | Shingle, about a mile long | Allowed all year |
| Hallsands | About 30 minutes inland | Shingle | Allowed all year |
| Man Sands | About 20 minutes via the Dartmouth Lower Ferry | Pebbles, with sand at low tide | Dogs welcome |
| Mill Bay, East Portlemouth | About 40 minutes by road, or the ferry from Salcombe | Sand, sheltered | Allowed all year |
The beaches
Blackpool Sands
Our nearest beach and one of the best in Devon. A sheltered, pine-backed bay with clear water, lifeguards in summer, a café and restaurant, toilets and showers, plus paddleboard and kayak hire. It has Blue Flag status.
Castle Cove
A tiny hidden cove below Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the river. It disappears at high tide, so go at low water. Toilets and a café at the castle.
Sugary Cove
Clear turquoise water and great for snorkelling at low tide. No facilities at the cove itself.
Compass Cove
A very sheltered little cove reached by steep cliff steps that end in a wooden ladder. Not one for buggies, but worth the effort.
Slapton Sands, Strete Gate
The north end of a three-mile shingle bar, quieter than the main car park. Toilets and a seasonal ice cream van.
Slapton Sands, Memorial car park
The main stretch, with Slapton Ley nature reserve right behind the beach and lifeguards in the summer holidays. The area was a D-Day training ground in the Second World War.
Beesands
A quiet fishing village beach with a pub and a café and fishmonger. Widdicombe Ley behind it has a wheelchair-accessible bird hide.
Hallsands
Famous for the village lost to the sea in 1917. The ruins are closed because the cliffs are unstable, but you can see them from the coast path viewing platform. North Hallsands beach is open.
Man Sands
A wild, quiet beach with a lagoon and a National Trust bird hide. No facilities. Take care on the high tide.
Mill Bay, East Portlemouth
A sheltered sandy bay across the water from Salcombe, great for families. A seasonal pop-up café near the car park.
Stay close to the beach
Hot tub stays
Back from the beach and straight into your own hot tub, with sea views over Start Bay.
See hot tub staysDog friendly stays
Nine dog friendly stays, with the coast path running from the park.
See dog friendly staysGlamping
Enid's Place yurt with its own hot tub, open all year, plus bell tents in season.
See glampingQuestions
What is the closest beach to Dartmouth?
Castle Cove and Sugary Cove, below Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the river. Blackpool Sands, the best-known beach nearby, is about 3 miles from Dartmouth and under a mile from Leonards Cove.
Are dogs allowed on Blackpool Sands?
Not from 1 May to 30 September, including the café and car parks. Dogs are welcome from 1 October.
Which beaches near Dartmouth are dog friendly all year?
Slapton Sands (both Strete Gate and the Memorial car park end), Castle Cove, Sugary Cove, Beesands, Hallsands and Mill Bay, according to local guides. Always check signs on the day.
Is the road along Slapton Sands open?
Part of the A379 between Torcross and the Slapton Memorial car park was washed away in early 2026 and is closed. Strete Gate and the Memorial car park are still reached from the Dartmouth side. For Torcross, Beesands and Hallsands, go inland via Slapton and Stokenham.
Which beach has lifeguards?
Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands (Memorial car park end) have RNLI lifeguards in the summer season.
Where can we stay near these beaches?
Leonards Cove Holiday Village is on the clifftop at Stoke Fleming, under a mile from Blackpool Sands and about 2 miles from Dartmouth, with hot tub lodges, dog friendly homes and glamping.