Bantham, South Devon
- Beautiful village on the southern coast by Bigbury-on-Sea, Burgh Island and the River Avon and Estuary. Very busy in high season
- Top South Devon beach popular with families. Some of the best watersports in the Westcountry
- Great village pub
- Superb for views of Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea and the River Avon and Estuary
- Excellent coastal and estuary walking
- Main photo: low tide at Bantham Beach with Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Burgh Island beyond. Photo taken from main entrance to Bantham Beach just beyond Bantham Surfing Academy
Stunning beach, views and estuary village offering some of the best watersports in South Devon
Bantham is located on South Devon's southern coast just across the River Avon and Estuary from Bigbury-on-Sea and Burgh Island. Salcombe is to the east and Plymouth to the west.
The vast low tide beach is stunning and offers some of the best watersports in South Devon and the Westcountry. The village itself sits behind the beach and above the River Avon and Estuary. The setting is magnificent and there's a great village pub.
Why holiday or weekend break in Bantham?
To help you choose Bantham, we've listed some of the local attractions below.
Bigbury Bay and parking for Bantham
Bigbury Bay is lined with stunning cliffs and sandy beaches on the South Devon coast. Burgh Island is located near the centre of this arc of coastline. Both Bantham and Bigbury-on-Sea provide magnificent views of the island and bay. The setting is remarkable.
Bantham beaches
Bantham Beach. Huge low tide beach. Popular with families and surfers. Extensive sand dunes at the back of the beach. The River Avon and Estuary on the west side of the beach divides Bantham Beach and Bigbury-on-Sea Beach. Bantham Surfing Academy is located by the main entrance to the beach. There's a public toilet and vans selling food and drink in the spacious car park. Note that there's a village pub just up the road as well.
Bigbury-on-Sea Beach. Another huge low tide beach across the River Avon and Estuary from Bantham Beach. At low tide, a wide neck of sand connects Bigbury-on-Sea and Burgh Island. At high tide, take the sea tractor between the mainland and island. Bigbury-on-Sea beach faces east and west. The east side is much longer and best for watersports. Bigbury-on-Sea Discovery Surf School sits behind this section of the beach. There are public toilets, a cafe and shop by the reasonably large car park. The village is packed in summer so there are overflow car parks further up the road on the approach to Bigbury-on-Sea.
Thurlestone Island Sands/Thurlestone Golf Course Beach. Follow the South West Coast Path east of Bantham and you come to a series of beaches lining the coast. Thurlestone Island Sands/Thurlestone Golf Course Beach is usually quiet.
Thurlestone Leas Foot Sand (Beach). Family beach just south of Thurlestone. There's plenty of parking available.
South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach). Super beach between Thurlestone and Hope Cove. The beachhouse overlooks South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach).
Hope Cove Mouthwell Beach. Small beach on the north side of Hope Cove. Excellent local facilities including a shop, cafe bar and pub.
Hope Cove Harbour Beach. Larger harbour beach in the centre of Hope Cove. Stunning location with chunky harbour walls.
Bantham watersports
Bantham Surfing Academy. Located by the main entrance to Bantham Beach at the western end of the large car park.
Bigbury-on-Sea Discovery Surf School. Situated on the eastern side of Bigbury-on-Sea Beach below the main car park.
Bantham food and drink
Bantham The Sloop Inn. Great village pub in the heart of Bantham. Takes a few minutes to walk to Bantham Beach or Bantham Quay from The Sloop Inn. Nice place to stop if you're walking the South West Coast Path or the Avon Estuary Walk.
Bantham Gastrobus and Gastropizza. Cool catering vans selling street food by the main entrance to Bantham Beach. There's seating and a large grassy area by the vans.
The Pilchard Inn. Amazing pub location on Burgh Island overlooking Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and the South Devon coast. Situated next to the famous Burgh Island Hotel.
beachhouse. Fashionable beach cafe, takeaway, seafood restaurant and bar behind South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach).
Bantham Quay
Bantham Quay. The River Avon and Estuary skirts the west side of Bantham village. You can access the river and estuary at Bantham Quay. It's a magnificent place that most people miss as they head for Bantham Beach. Highly recommended so follow the tarmac path down to the quayside to enjoy the views and low tide walks.
River Avon and Estuary. In addition to Bantham Quay, access the River Avon and Estuary on the west side of Bantham Beach.
Bantham ferry
Bigbury-on-Sea/Bantham Ferry. A seasonal ferry crosses the River Avon and Estuary. Ideal if you're walking the South West Coast Path during the holiday season.
Bantham South West Coast Path
The section of South West Coast Path running east of Bantham is sensational. Head for South Milton Sands/Thurlestone Sand (Beach) and the beachhouse.
Other Batham walking
Avon Estuary Walk. For a very different walk, follow the River Avon and Estuary from Bantham to Bigbury-on-Sea. Catch the seasonal ferry.
The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary and the River Dart and Estuary
Bigbury-on-Sea is in a super part of the UK. Experience Salcombe in the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary and Dartmouth in the River Dart and Estuary. Along with Bigbury-on-Sea, these are essential UK visiting.
Dartmoor
If time permits, we'd suggest you head for the high moor. See one of our sister sites 'Holiday in Dartmoor'.
Plymouth
The city looks out across the sea to the Devon and Cornwall coasts. Its history is remarkable. Plymouth National Marine Aquarium is a highlight.
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