.. that don't have:
Dunes full of voyeurs - or voyeurs on the beach with binoculars and cameras.
Men parading their wares on the beach.
Swingers that think every other couple is interested in playing.
People who think when I turn over onto my back that I am inviting them to start a conversation.
People who are going to 'pounce' on my wife the minute I walk away
I would like to spend a little time on a beach next week but perhaps I am expecting too much to find one where I can be left alone in peace?
I suggest Slapton beach, near Dartmouth is the place to try. No dunes and easy access. The fine shingle beach is below the village of Strete.
Google satellite view here:
https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=50.302362,-3.62978&spn=0.016639,0.052314&t=h&z=15
Google Streetview image of the entrance to the Pay & Display car park at Strete Gate:
On fine sunny summer days the car park fills up early - 104 space only - so get there early, because there's nowhere else handy to park.
The bare section is a five-minute walk north from the car park along the path at the back of the beach, until the winding gear for the small fishing boats is reached. In recent years this has signalled the start of the unofficial, but well established, naturist beach. Many years ago it was necessary to walk right to Pilchard Cove at the far north end of the shore, but not any longer. The far north end does remain popular with gay naturists, however.
The shingle can be a bit tiring to walk any distance (thought the path at the back of the beach is mainly firm and easy going), but it is quite comfortable to lie on.
The edge of the water shelves steeply and you can be up to your chin in three or four steps, depending on the tide and the grading of the shingle, so take care if the water is rough.
The beach is featured on the cover of the Bare Britain guidebook:
Mike
Looks promising. We are actually going to be closer to Budleigh but I have read a few reviews that don't paint a very good picture.
We haven't used Budleigh very much, and we've personally not experienced any problems there. Having said that, on occasion I've also heard concerns of the type you mentioned. I guess it can happen anywhere, although generally over many many years we've had few issues at Slapton - there is usually a genuine family-friendly atmosphere.
Budleigh is a pleasant enough location, apart from the pebbles being a bit uncomfortable to lie or walk on. If you go, try to take thick mats, some padding, or an air-bed.
Mike
Weston Mouth beach is nicer than Budleigh Salterton, but it is a long drag back up the hill to the car park after a day on the beach. No problem with dunes there as it backs onto a cliff.
We went a few times last year and never had any problems.
Have not been this year, as we are too busy with clothes optional garden visits and have a convenient sun trap in our own garden now.
Graeme & Heather
www.westernswimclub.org.uk
Slapton! No thanks! We went there once, and everything you hate so much existed, to the point that after 2 hours we left.
If you don't mind traveling a little further south, just over the border in to Cornwall is Downderry. This is now the only beach we visit as its the least pervy! Never had any problems there, although stay away from the very far end by the rock stack, as this is frequented by gays who do like to display their wares in hope of finding a mate <cough cough splutter>
Beware of the high tide though, as the beach is not accessible at high tide unless you don't mind a considerable walk along the coastal path and down a steep climb (in places).
Someone has created a video on Youtube which gives some help and clues on getting to Downderry from Plymouth and down via the coastal path...
From Plymouth To Its Nearest Naturist Free Beach at Downderry 2013
But if you want any more info feel free to private message us.
Can't think of any beaches except Studland on the English channel coast of the South West that have extensive dune formations and none on the Devon coast.
Big dunes are almost all found on the Bristol Channel coasts of Cornwall, North devon & Somerset (Berrow).
Talking to other naturists who have visited my local beach (Saunton) from elsewhere in the region over the years there are parts of Slapton/ Pilchards cove, Budleigh, and the popular Vault/Bow beach in Cornwall which upstanding naturists might wish to avoid but shouldn't sully the whole beach.
How about Petit Tor beach at St. Marychurch near Torquay ?
I visited Slapton for my annual hour on the beach on Friday....
Didn't see anything untoward. I went for a wander around on the way back to the car to check the back of the beach and......nothing.
OK, it was only one hour, on one day, but it was a little moment in heaven for me.
Boundaries are there to be stretched!
I visited Slapton for my annual hour on the beach on Friday....
Didn't see anything untoward. I went for a wander around on the way back to the car to check the back of the beach and......nothing.
OK, it was only one hour, on one day, but it was a little moment in heaven for me.
Glad you found Slapton was OK. We first went in 1972 and have since spent many, many, happy days there - on all parts of the beach. We don't live locally, but on the outskirts of Bristol. Nonetheless, we have probably been to the location a couple of hundred times over forty years. In all that time we have only seen ANY sort of inappropriate behaviour two or three times. Yes, you very occasionally get the odd nosey bod walking closer than necessary - but only occasionally and no real problem.
We like Studland too, and have been there many times also. And yes over the years there has been lots of trouble in the dunes, but few problems on the open beach. And less trouble in the dunes now.
Our kids grew up enjoying playing and swimming at both places - and although we'd always keep a close eye on them from a water safety perspective, never had any other qualms about them being there.
It's a shame Kyloe + GG had an unfortunate experience on their trip to Slapton. And yes, we like their local beach at Downderry too, but our favourites remain Slapton and Studland.
Mike
I have been using Downderry for many years, love the place, but least pervy? some other places must be really bad then because we have experienced the meerkats at downderry many time.
Also have you tried portwrinkle? very quiet and secluded parts
This is an old thread but we have never experienced any problems at slapton, we have o lay been to Budliegh once, but didn't have any problems. On our only trip it seemed that most people knew each other, and it was a good atmosphere.
"Try to live a good life. Don't be afraid to be what you are'. some bloke in the pub.