THINGS TO DO IN DEVON
If your ever in Devon I recommend you Visit wembury beach. Wembury beach is perfect if you’re looking for a great family holiday. It’s set in an area of outstanding natural beauty. With enough sand for sunbathing, along with a huge number of rock pools to explore. The waters are clean winning an award from the Marine Conservation Society. And are also fairly shallow, the kids can enjoy a supervised splash-about. To get a flavour of the local scenery you can take a stroll along the cliff paths. These paths will take you to Bovisand and Newton Ferrers.
Situated in the southwest of Devon, U.K. Wembury Beach is owned and cared for by the national trust. It even has it’s very own mariner conservation centre. With an incredible history story of over 1000 years, at Wembury there’s something for everyone. A spectacular stretch of coastline boasting dramatic cliffs, diverse wildlife and a beach renowned for rockpooling.
Amenities
Unlike many rural beaches along the Devon and Cornwall coastline, this beach boasts a few charming amenities. Such as a small car park, local cafe, beach shop, kayaking hire centre, and public toilets.
Wembury Beach is a popular spot for Devon locals and tourists alike. There is a small car park on site accessed by a narrow country lane. At busy holiday times the car park can fill up quickly. Car parking in neighbouring roads is restricted between April and September. My advice would be to arrive early if you want to ensure a parking space. If the car park is full? The welcome staff will ask you to leave and find an alternative, but be aware not park on the roadside. Because the coastal roads are narrow, any on road parking will cause problems for farm and emergency vehicles. There are other car parks in the area at Heybrook Bay and Wembury Village.
There are public toilets are provided by South Hams District Council. Although covid 19 has seen a number of public toilets closed. Wembury beach toilets are open, though social distancing and government guidance are asked to be observed.
The Old Mill Café are offering a takeaway service from Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm. ( You can call 01752 863280 to check they are open especially in bad weather).
As I mentioned above Wembury beach is home to a conservation centre. Due to government guidance, because of the pandemic. Wembury Marine Centre is currently closed, yet hopeful to reopen at the end of June. Just in time for the holiday season.
Water activities
As well as walking and discovering creatures on the beach, there’s lots to see and do in the water.
Wembury Beach is a popular spot for surfing and kayaking. With a swell of up to ten feet, Wembury is fantastic for surfers of all abilities.
This part of the coast and the River Yealm is fantastic to explore by kayak. The Great Mewstone is a nature reserve and home to a wide variety of seabirds. However, Landing is not permitted for this reason.
If you enjoy Sailing you may enjoy a relaxing trip down the sheltered River Yealm? A picturesque sight along the quaint villages of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers towards the sea. From Wembury Bay you can sail around the magnificent Mewstone and Wembury Point towards the Plymouth Sound.
With its diverse marine environment there is plenty to see beneath the waves. Wembury is the perfect spot, for the diving and snorkelling enthusiast. With its own coral reef there is so much marina to see and explore including dolphins, basking sharks and porpoises.
Exploring
If the above water sports isn’t your thingy? Enjoy a bracing dip at Wembury Beach. There is no lifeguard stationed at Wembury, so do be careful with the tide currents and check tide times so not to get stranded while rock pooling.
Wembury Beach is one of the best rockpooling destinations in the country. Explorers have a good chance of finding crabs, sea anemones, limpets, starfish, pipe fish, sea scorpions and green sea-urchins among the rockpools. The best time to come here to explore the rockpools is just before low tide, so check tidal tables to get the most out of your visit. There are organized rock pool rambles run by the National Trust, who manage the area, and also by Wembury Marine Centre. Because of the pandemic I would check the national trust website to enquire if these tours are on. If not you can always explore them yourselves. My advice would be to wear good foot wear on the rocks as they can be rather slippery and sharp.
For all fishing enthusiasts, the nearby Cellar Beach offers fantastic opportunities for sea angling. See if you can catch any sea bass, mackerel or pollock.
Can You bring Pets?
Unfortunately if you are bringing your beloved fury friend to join in on the family fun? Be aware dogs are not permitted on the beach between the high holiday season 1st May and 30th September. However, dogs are allowed to explore the coastal walking trails that run along the coast. Along the coastal path there is a few access points away from the main beach accessing small beaches and rock pools where dogs are permitted . You can also walk along the coastal trails to Bovisands which welcomes dogs on part of the beach.
Coastal Trails
If your more of an out of water perso n the coastal trails here are incredible with different trails to suit different abilities. From Cliff top climbs and views out to sea – to slow estuary strolls with ferry crossings. All these trails offer stunning vistas, glimpses of wildlife. Below is a few trails for you to explore, which are quite magical.
Wembury Bay and River Yealm
An approximately 6 mile walk ideal for any day, and relatively easy on foot. You can can enjoy 3 hours of fine views of the Mewstone, Wembury Bay and, most impressively, the Yealm estuary. In the summer, you can extend the route by taking the foot ferry over to Noss Mayo which is just bliss.
Wembury Beach to Heybrook Bay
A moderate walk up from the bay passing fields and the former HMS Cambridge site, 3 miles long – looping back around from Heybrook bay to take in the views of the Mewstone. This coastal trail is around 2 hours to complete. And there is plenty of wildlife to enjoy along this stretch of coast. And for you history enthusiast, discover Wembury Point’s interesting past.
Wembury Point
Discover Wembury Point’s past, which is still evident if you look closely. There is a wide variety of wildlife, on land, sea and water. Enjoy views across the bay to the mysterious Great Mewstone. An easy walk with linear (1.2 mile) and circular (1.9 mile) trail around Wembury Point, taking approximately 40 mins. Take in the views of Wembury Bay and Plymouth Sound they are just breath taking.
Wembury Woods walk
A rather hilly route that that is fairly moderate to participate, with a round 2 miles encompasses colourful woodlands, and taking approxamatly 2 hours. Enjoy wonderful views of Cofflete Creek and the hedge-lined fields that lie to the east of Wembury.
Sunsets
If that isn’t enough the sunsets here are incredible. Take a picnic, and blanket and watch the sky turn to red and the sea turn purple at this magical spot. Depending on the tide times you can sit on the beach or enjoy the views up on the hill cliff. The scenery here is just as calming as it is romantic and can be enjoyed by couples and family a like. Many a time as a family we have taken a bbq down to the beach and watched the sunset while roasting mash mellows and drinking hot chocolates. Just wrap up warm even on a summers night the sea air can get fairly chilly. Especially on the cliff tops.
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