Brixham’s top five beaches

Brixham has an excellent array of beaches, a mixture of pebble, shingle and sand. Varying degrees of accessibility and facilities will help you decide which are the most appropriate to your needs and tastes. As it is Devon, natural beauty comes as standard. Most of the beaches in the Brixham area are a short walk away from the centre of town, or can be reached in less than ten minutes by car.

Fishcombe Cove

Fishcombe Cove is the ideal choice for escaping the summer crowds. Found at the northern end of Brixham, it is a shingle beach surrounded on three sides by tall red sandstone cliffs. The sheltered location of the cove makes for calmer waters to swim in. Owners of small launches and yachts often anchor here for their own relaxation purposes, so those of you seeking complete seclusion will need to go further afield. The beach has an added plus for those with a hound or two in tow, as it is dog friendly all year round.

Parking: Pay and display (or a variant) five minutes away

WC: Yes – summer only

Dog-friendly: Yes, no restrictions in place

Café: Yes – summer only

Picnic area: Yes

Accessibility level: Difficult – the beach is accessed via steep pathways. One from the car park and the other from Battery Gardens.

Shoalstone Beach

Shoalstone is a great beach for all the family. At low-tide there are rock pools for everybody, particularly children to explore. There is also ample opportunity to spot and note down sightings of rare sea life. For a safer swim, take a dip in the saltwater swimming pool, which is a good introduction for children who have never swum in sea water before. Napoleonic-era forts can be seen from the shore line. Access to Shoalstone Beach is good, with a ramp down to a level area of hardstanding next to the shingle beach. There are also steps down to the beach from the car park to both the pool and the beach. For refreshments and a spot of local culture, make your way to the café and the Geopark Visitor Centre near the beach.

Parking: Pay and display (or a variant)

WC: Yes, plus disabled facilities

Dog-friendly: Yes, no restrictions in place

Café: Yes

Picnic area:Yes

Accessibility level: Ramp and level access

Other facilities: Deckchair hire, first aid room

Elberry Cove

Elberry Cove is a small pebble beach at an inlet a short way outside Brixham, well out of the way from the busier town beaches. There is a designated area for water skiing, which has been sectioned off for swimmers’ safety. Beach access is limited as the closest car park is at Broadsands, a short distance away along the coast path. The cove is characterised by wooded hillsides, and the waterside ruins of Lord Churston’s former bathhouse, a charming 18th century ruin. Elberry Cove has a literary pedigree having featured in Agatha Christie’s novel, The ABC Murders. It is on the local Agatha Christie Literary Trail because it was one of the late world-famous author’s favourite places for a quiet dip.

Parking: Within walking distance from the car park at Broadsands.

WC: No

Dog-friendly: Yes, no restrictions in place

Accessibility level: There are uneven surfaces along the path from Broadsands.

Breakwater Beach

Recommended in the Good Beach Guide, Breakwater Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag in recognition of its all-round quality. Situated at the mouth of Brixham Harbour, it is one of the ‘go-to’ beaches for beauty in the English Riviera. There are good facilities that include ample parking close by, disabled access and WCs, a café/restaurant, first aid room, and deckchair hire as well as a choice of dive schools.Scuba diving is popular off Breakwater Beach because of the clear and relatively calm waters. Earn your ‘open water certificate’ and see if you spot any seahorses, unusual fish or a shipwreck down in the depths.

Parking: Yes

WC: Yes, plus disabled facilities

Dog-friendly: Yes, restrictions in place (no dogs May to September)

Café: Yes

Accessibility level: Ramp and level access

Other facilities: Deckchair hire, first aid room, scuba diving schools

St Mary’s Bay

Fossil hunters must surely include a visit to St Mary’s Bay, another small sand and shingle beach close to Brixham Harbour. There is an elevated viewpoint of the beach at Sharkham Point and the South West Coast Path. Take in the interesting rock formations and relax on the sands before a climb up the steep steps to the nearby Berry Head National Reserve, where you’ll find the beaches nearest WCs and café. This is a great spot for watching the wildlife and having sea swims in sheltered surroundings.

Parking: Yes, pay and display at Sharkham Point

WC: No

Dog-friendly: Yes, no restrictions in place

Café: No

Accessibility level: Difficult - steep and narrow steps

We have some other helpful blogs about places to visit during your stay in and around Brixham.