Beach days are the perfect way to spend part of your holidays in Devon. Not only are they renowned for their beauty but there is also a great variety of beaches to choose from. Whether it’s a family beach day you desire or a peaceful walk along the coastline, Devon has it all on offer. To get you started here are some of our favourite beaches close to Fingle Glen lodges that could be your perfect day out.
Exmouth Beach
Starting with the most popular, Exmouth beach is situated a short 30-minute drive away on the coastline of Exmouth town. This idyllic stretch of coastline is part of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage site and boasts beautiful cliffs and views of the surrounding area with many walks suited to everyone’s taste. The beach is easily accessible from the promenade and there is ramp and level access elsewhere.
Walking down the beach you will come across rock pools filled with critters that are perfect for exploring with little ones. Not only is there plenty to do on the beach but in the sea too! Try your hand at some water sports and discover how well you can paddleboard, surf, or kayak. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a new hobby and is all made easier with beach hut hire available from the tourist centre. The two-mile-long sandy beach is accompanied by a promenade filled with exciting activities for all the family including crazy golf and swing boats. There are plenty of cafes and places open for lunch including the pavilion which has family restaurants too. To top it all off, you can bring your furry friends along to parts of the beach as well.
Dawlish Warren
On the opposite side of the river Exe sits Warren Dawlish. Again, only a 30-minute drive from Fingle lodges and easily accessible from the A30, the 1-and-a-half-mile long beach has won awards for its clean water. Sheltered by cliffs and sand dunes the beach has something for everyone. Make your day action packed by partaking in water sports or maybe get competitive with mini-golf and go karting. In the summer enjoy the free entertainment and jump on the rides. As well as all of this, the beach boasts a variety of nearby cafes and restaurants where you’ll find something to everyone’s tastes. The beach is also overseen by RNLI from May to September making sure you and your family are safe.
If the bustle of the main beach isn’t what you’re looking for, then the on-site nature reserve might provide the peace and tranquillity you need. Home to various bird species and other wildlife the national nature reserve is great for birdwatchers and family walks alike.
Dawlish Warren is also dog friendly all year round.
Ness Cove Beach
One of Devon’s best kept secrets, Ness Cove beach is another 30-minute drive from Fingle Lodges using the A30. Although not sandy, the shingle beach is secluded and protected by the surrounding cliffs making it a quiet place to enjoy your day out. The beach has a great swimming area where no boats are allowed and has many a rockpool to explore on the shore. Access to the beach is through an original smugglers tunnel that has a few steps and a sloping path. The cove shrouded in mystery with rumours about smugglers and the original reason for the tunnel with some claiming it is the result of smuggler and some suggesting that the nearby homeowners of nearby Ness house simply wanted access to the beach. Either way this interesting piece of history adds to the wonderful experience of Ness Cove. The windy path has breath-taking views of the beach upon exit of the tunnel and if the privacy of the beach had not already spiked your interest, then maybe booking the beach for a private barbeque would. Ness Cove also welcomes dogs all year round and could be the perfect little haven for our little friends to enjoy with much smaller crowds.
After a day on the beach, return to your golf side luxury holiday lodge to relax and unwind before deciding where to explore next… Fingle Glen Lodges is a holiday makers haven! You’ll understand why so many of our guests return time and time again not to mention those that invest in more down time by purchasing their very own holiday lodge to enjoy time and time again all year round!