Season: summer
The more southerly of the pair of beaches just outside the town, Salcombe South Sands is just further from the town than its partner. Both beaches are close to the mouth of the Salcombe – Kingsbridge estuary. Excellent facilities are nearby and this is a sheltered bay for families. Salcombe is in an affluent town, popular with visitors from near and far. The beach is fine for access, despite the modest car park.
The freedom of the beach for Daniel and Emily.
Reflections from Rose in the morning.
Sunshine at South Sands.
The beach reminds me of long and happy summer holidays and cosy weekend breaks in the winter. Four generations of my family have enjoyed the sand, boats and rock pooling at South Sands Beach. It has been such a pleasure to see my children and grandchildren grow up enjoying the beach as much as I did as a child. There is a never-ending range of activities from sailing to paddle boarding, mackerel fishing to yoga on the beach and perhaps an ice cream from the old Lifeboat Station, now a beach cafe and Kayak/SUP school, or a drink at the South Sands Hotel. All year round the walks along the coastal path are invigorating and blissfully peaceful and there is always a welcoming pub in which to recover and re-fuel.
The beach is ever changing. With the tide up and the sea lapping against our cottage I almost imagine I am in a boat out to sea. When the tide is out, the beach extends to provide plenty of space for games like cricket, football or bat and ball. At South Sands I like to take off my watch and the only indication of time passing is the tractor making its way up and down the beach to meet the small ferry to Salcombe town.
The sea can be rough or calm but it will always be exciting and there is no better place to relax and unwind than on South Sands Beach.