Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach), Salcombe, South Devon
Superb secluded beach by Start Point
If you are on holiday in South Devon, want to visit a beach and are looking for something a little different from South Devon's most famous destinations then we'd recommend heading for the beaches that line Lannacombe Bay between Prawle Point and Start Point. Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach) is the best.
Location of Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach)
East Prawle is South Devon's southernmost village. Prawle Point is its southernmost point. Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach) is located close to these by Start Point and Start Point Lighthouse.
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Directions and parking for Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach)
If you're coming by car, head for Start Point. There's a large car parking area above Start Point and Start Point Lighthouse. Chrages apply. A path runs for about 500 metres down to the beach. Clearly, you have to yomp back up after your visit.
You can also walk in on the South West Coast Path from the car parking areas at East Prawle and Prawle Point.
Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach)
Great Mattiscombe Sand is a relatively large stretch of low tide sand and rock within Lannacombe Bay in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's a nice place to swim.
Access Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach) on the path at the east end of the beach. This connects to the South West Coast Path.
Things to do near Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach)
When visiting, we'd highly recommend following the South West Coast Path around the Peartree Point area to Start Point and its lighthouse. The views of both Lannacombe Bay and Start Bay are amazing. On clear days, the views north from Start Point Lighthouse are particularly impressive. You'll see Hall Sands (Beach), Bee Sands (Beach), Slapton Sands (Beach), Blackpool Sands (Beach) and the coast by Dartmouth.
Visit the Pigs Nose Inn in East Prawle.
From the Pigs Nose Inn, drop down to Prawle Point to stand on South Devon's southernmost ground.
Explore the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. On a sunny day, it's one of the best places to be in the Westcountry.
Other beaches near Great Mattiscombe Sand (Beach)
Lannacombe Beach, Woodcombe Sand (Beach), Malcombe Sand (Beach) and Horseley Cove (Beach) line Lannacombe Bay to the west.
Sunny Cove (Beach), Mill Bay Beach (National Trust) and East Portlemouth Beaches (Small's Cove up to Ditchend Cove) line the east side of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary.
North Sands (Beach) and South Sands (Beach) are on the west side of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary.
Hall Sands (Beach), Bee Sands (Beach), Slapton Sands (Beach) and Blackpool Sands (Beach) line Start Bay to the north.
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