Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands: South Devon’s Best-Kept Beach Secret, Now Not Very Secret

The name is misleading in ways that have confused visitors for years. Blackpool Sands is not in Blackpool (which is in Lancashire, on the entirely different northwest coast) and the sand is not black. It is a privately owned shingle and sand cove on the South Devon coast, roughly five miles south of Dartmouth, sheltered by a steep wooded valley with headlands on both sides that keep the water calm and unusually clear for the English Channel.

On a bright day with the green-clad cliffs rising sharply behind and the sea turning blue-green in the shallows, it looks Mediterranean enough that first-time visitors routinely photograph it with expressions of faint surprise. This is one of the more consistently pleasant beaches in South Devon and the water quality has earned Blue Flag status for many years.

Getting There

Signposted from the A379 coast road between Dartmouth and Torcross. The car park above the beach, operated by the Venus Company, fills quickly in July and August: arrive before 10am or accept the possibility of circling. There is no practical public transport to the cove itself, though seasonal ferry and taxi services from Dartmouth help if you lack a car.

The Beach

Rounded grey shingle and dark sand, with the sand more prominent at low tide at the water’s edge. The gradient into the sea is fairly steep by English beach standards, which keeps wave energy low and makes it comfortable for swimming. Lifeguards patrol May through September; designated swimming zones are marked with flags. The beach narrows considerably at high tide – check tide times if planning a long stay.

Swimming is the main draw. Water temperature peaks in late August at around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius. Kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes are available to hire by the hour. The calm inshore waters are forgiving for beginners; paddling along the base of the cliffs gives the best view back into the cove.

Snorkelling in the rock pools and shallow water near the headlands is rewarding when there has been little wind for a few days and visibility is good.

Eating

The Venus Cafe directly behind the beach serves food all day, from pastries and coffee through hot lunches to afternoon snacks, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. Fresh seafood features regularly. No other food outlets are on site; stock up or budget for the cafe.

Dartmouth, 15 minutes by car, has a full range of restaurants along the Embankment and Foss Street serving local crab, scallops, and river fish.

Practical Notes

Dogs are restricted to a designated area between May and September. The shingle surface is uneven; footwear helps for the walk from car park to waterline. Mobile signal is weak in the cove: download maps and tide times before arriving. The beach shelves steeply even in the shallow section; supervise young children closely at the water’s edge.

Nearby

The South West Coast Path passes above the beach. Slapton Ley to the south is the largest natural freshwater lake in south-west England and a significant wildlife reserve. Dartmouth Castle, managed by English Heritage at the mouth of the Dart, is worth the short drive for the views of the estuary and the 14th-century fortification.