Blackpool Sands | South Devon Beach Bible
Blackpool Sands in South Devon is a sheltered, golden crescent of fine shingle, situated on the east-facing coast of...
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.
Sat nav users:
Use the postcode TQ7 4HZ for Challaborough Beach. This will involve a 0.5 hilly walk along the South West Coast Path.
Use the postcode TQ7 4HR for the National Trust Ayrmer Cove/Ringmore car park. Getting from this car park to the cove involves a more level 0.5 mile walk.
Please see our ‘South Devon Beach Bible: Challaborough Beach’ article for directions.
From Salcombe:
Salcombe is 11 miles from Ringmore.
From Dartmouth
Dartmouth is around 19 miles from Ringmore.
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 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.
There are no facilities at Ayrmer Cove. The nearest are at Challaborough Beach and in the village of Ringmore.
No supervised activities.
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?
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.
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.