Hi and welcome to the forum. Agree that the official naturist beach at Budleigh Salterton is good, though we've only been a few times.

We also live in Bristol - on the south-west outskirts - and tend to go to Slapton Sands, in the South Hams near Dartmouth, as a favourite option. It's a bit further to travel, but in addition to being a lovely location with easy access, there is naturist camping at Manor Farm in nearby Strete. I mention it because I noticed you enjoy camping.

http://www.manorfarmstrete.co.uk/

The site is quite rustic and consists of a 6-acre field with fine views over Start Bay. Two thirds of the field are textile and one third is naturist - it is all very relaxed and hassle-free. You might need to book during school holidays, but otherwise I think it's OK to just turn up - we always do.

Kate the owner comes around to collect the money. The toilets and showers are in the textil side of the site, so need to cover up to use them. The only facilities in the naturist area are 2 cold water taps and a few electric hook-ups.

Generally the naturist part of the site is much busier than the textile side and Kate has mentioned on a number of occasions that she intends to move the fence to give the naturist more space...

Apologies, this is off-topic for your original thread about Budleigh, but thought you might be interested.

Mike

Having moved to north west Devon this summer, I did get the chance to visit Budleigh Salterton and would agree that it is a very good beach. I found some free parking not too far from the sea front and after a shortish walk arrived at the CO beach. It is very stoney underfoot but that did not stop me walking the length of the beach and then some - as it did not appear to have an end marker to the naturist zone. Hope to get back some time next summer (along with visits to Slapton and other south west beaches just to be tried)

Mike, thanks for the info about Slapton Sands and the camp site nearby. I will definitely have to check it out next summer. Sounds great. Is it a well attended beach?

Ditto.
I know Slapton though haven't been for a while but didn't know about the campsite [I've been trying to find one for years]

Mike, thanks for the info about Slapton Sands and the camp site nearby. I will definitely have to check it out next summer. Sounds great. Is it a well attended beach?

Pleasure - yes, Slapton can be very well attended. There is a convenient - if somewhat expensive - large car park at Strete Gate. Sunny summer weekends it fills up early, and the beach does attract lots of folk - but there's plenty of space for everybody. But if going on a good weather weekend get a parking spot before 10.30am if possible, because it's nearly 2 miles to the next parking! There are toilets by the car park, and sometimes an ice cream van.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=50.299154,-3.636967&spn=0.004585,0.013078&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=50.299154,-3.636967&panoid=OOfvPihQ4GKtZYW4Qc8l-A&cbp=12,351.29,,0,5.91

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=50.30021,-3.633642&spn=0.004585,0.013078&t=h&z=17

From the car park turn left (north) up the beach for about 400-500 yards and you should be OK to strip off. There's an easy path at the back of the beach, and the naturist zone stretches right to the end at Pilchard Cove (where it all started 70-odd years ago), and which tends to be preferred by the gay community these days.

Walking on the shingle is heavy going, but it's mostly less than pea-size and fairly comfortable to lie on.

Mike

I agree with all Mike has said and can only add that there is another car parkhalf way along towards Torcross village
And when I was down there the last time the public bus stopped frequently right on the bend by the toiletscarpark entrance so if you couldn't find a space and didn't fancy the walk!
Just to its a lovely place with good weather.
Chris

I used to go to this beach quite a bit with my ex-girlfriend. We used to really like going there. She was new to naturism too. Initially she felt a bit self conscious because she is very busty, but she soon overcame any embarrassment. We found that other than a few admiring glances, we didn't get any bother.

We visited this beach during the summer and found it ideal if a little hard to walk on the large pebbles. From a naturist point of view it was very friendly and other bathers were happy to chat. Definetly worth a visit

Have considered it but prefer somewhere sandier for the toes!  Might give it a go though.

Budleigh Salterton is a great place. There is a lovely walk along the river Otter from Otterton Mill to Budleigh, then along the seafront to the naturist beach. Brings back nice memories of the summer. 

Me and my partner used the beach at Budleigh Salterton for the first time last week ,what a find ,okay its stoney ,but apart from that its great ,close to town easy parking and in reach of the toilets if you need them. We shall certainly be returning on our future trips to the West Country
. 

Great to hear that. I'm in Devon but it's still a 60 mile drive for me to Budleigh. I did get there once last year, and had a nice time and hope to get back again some time soon. There are many great beaches down here in the South West, though most are unofficial and involve a bit of a walk. Budleigh Salterton is certainly one of the more accessible ones. Hope you enjoy your future trips.

I'm in that part of the world on Wednesday, so plan a visit to the beach early afternoon, I have been before & found it very pleasant.
I'm really looking forward to it given the weather forcast, so come & say hello if you're there.
The only identifying item is a heavy, steel banded divers watch on left wrist & carrier bag with my shorts & towel in.

Cheers,
Dave.

As I couldn't make it to Studland at the moment due to rail works in the Bath area, I tried Budleigh yesterday.  Other people might like it but too pebbly for my likes.  Maybe in a couple of million years...