Ayrmer Cove | South Devon Beach Bible

Ayrmer Cove is a beautiful, secluded sandy beach, which you can reach on foot most easily from either Challaborough Beach or the nearby village or Ringmore.

• Location and access
• Parking
• Facilities
• Dog-friendly?
• Activities
• Our guide to Ayrmer Cove
• Similar beaches
• Properties near Ayrmer Cove

Directions to Ayrmer Cove

By car:

Sat nav users:

Getting to Ayrmer Cove via Challaborough Beach

Please see our ‘South Devon Beach Bible: Challaborough Beach’ article for directions.

Directions to Ringmore

From Salcombe:

Salcombe is 11 miles from Ringmore.

1. Leave Salcombe on Salcombe Road/A381.
2. A little over two miles from Malborough, turn left to remain on the A381. The turn is signposted for Plymouth, Modbury, Totnes and Thurlestone.
3. Go straight on at the roundabout (A379). The exit is signposted for Aveton Gifford, Modbury and Plymouth.
4. Take the first exit at the next roundabout. This will take you onto Tidal Road/Stakes Hill (dependent on the tides so caution is advised).
5. Continue on this road and you will come to St Ann’s Chapel. Go straight at the crossroads.
6. When you arrive at Ringmore, follow the road around to the left and stay on it as it winds through the village.
7. The road will bend to the left and you’ll see two other tracks, which lead roughly straight on. The one on the right will take you to the National Trust Car Park. The turning is marked ‘Ayrmer Cove’.

From Dartmouth

Dartmouth is around 19 miles from Ringmore.

1. Leave Dartmouth on the A3122. After seven miles, you’ll arrive at a T-junction with a petrol stage and garage on your right. Turn left, joining the A381.
2. Take right turns at the next two roundabouts, remaining on the A381.
3. Pass through the village of Churchstow. Half a mile beyond the village, you’ll reach a roundabout. Turn right.
4. Take the first exit at the next roundabout. This will take you onto Tidal Road/Stakes Hill (this road is dependent on the tide).
5. Continue on this road and you will come to St Ann’s Chapel. Go straight on at the crossroads.
6. When you arrive at Ringmore, follow the road around to the left and stay on it as it winds through the village.
7. The road will bend to the left and you’ll see two other tracks leading roughly straight on. The one on the right will take you to the National Trust Car Park. The turning is marked with a National Trust sign that reads ‘Ayrmer Cove.’

On foot:

The walk along the South West Coast Path from Challaborough Beach is short – just half a mile or so – but relatively strenuous as the hills are steep. Walking from another coastal starting point which is farther afield, like Hope Cove, South Milton Sands, Bantham or Bigbury-On-Sea, makes for a lovely day by the sea. However, as there are no facilities, make sure to bring adequate provisions!

Parking:

Parking at Challaborough Beach is £5 per day. Be aware that spaces are limited to around 20, so it’s best to avoid busy times.

Parking at Ayrmer Cove car park is £2 per day.

Facilities:

There are no facilities at Ayrmer Cove. The nearest are at Challaborough Beach and in the village of Ringmore.

Dog-friendly?

• Ayrmer Cove is dog-friendly all year round.

Activities:

No supervised activities.

Similar beaches

Other secluded beaches with beautiful rugged scenery include Lannacombe Beach, Mattiscombe Sands, Gara Rock Beach and, just ¾ mile to the west, Westcombe Beach.

Why not take a look at our article on secluded Devon beaches here?

Our guide to Ayrmer Cove

Hidden between steep, grassy headlands on both sides, Ayrmer Cove is a surprisingly spacious beach. Approaching it from Challaborough Beach on the Coast Path, the cove comes into view suddenly after you make it to the top of the hill, and makes a nice reward for your exertion.

The sand is great for spreading out on – its relative inaccessibility means Ayrmer Cove is never likely to be crowded. The rocks peter out towards the middle of the beach as it approaches the sea, meaning there’s a nice sandy path down to the waves. So, despite its seclusion, it’s suitable for paddling and other typical beach activities, although the lack of facilities means it would be difficult for a family to spend a whole day here.

It’s also a great place to bring dogs, as there’s plenty of space for them to run around on without having to worry about disturbing crowds of picnickers and so on.

If you’d like to spend some time at Ayrmer Cove but want to take the opportunity to explore some other beaches while you’re in the area, there are a couple of options.

If you approached Ayrmer Cove from the National Trust car park at Ringmore, you can either turn left and make your way to Challaborough Beach just a 15-minute walk away, or right and head to Westcombe Beach. The former offers good facilities and fantastic views of Burgh Island, while the latter offers yet more seclusion at an even more isolated spot.

There are also some lovely farmland walks which take in this isolated cove, without the steep inclines of the Coast Path, so it’s a nice beach to visit even if you don’t fancy putting your stamina to the test.

Explore South Devon’s stunning coves on holiday

For lovers of the great outdoors, there are few things more wonderful than stumbling upon ‘secret’ coves where you can stop to take in the sights, far from the hustle and bustle of life back home.

Take a look at our stunning selection of holiday homes around South Devon and spend your next break exploring an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For comprehensive information about South Devon’s best beaches, see our South Devon Beach Bible.