Challaborough Beach | South Devon Beach Bible

Situated on a stunning stretch of the South West Coast Path, Challaborough Beach is a picturesque little sandy cove, which sits in the shadow of Bigbury-On-Sea and looks out over iconic Burgh Island.

Challaborough Beach is a hidden gem that offers the perfect escape for beach lovers, adventure seekers, and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking to ride the waves, explore coastal trails, or simply soak up the sun, Challaborough Beach promises a quintessential British seaside experience with a touch of wild, natural beauty.

Continue reading to find out all you need to know about Challaborough Beach…….

 Challaborough Beach

Need to find an answer fast, use our quick links to find everything you need in our comprehensive guide to Challaborough Beach:

• About Challaborough Beach
• Directions to Challaborough Beach
• Is Challaborough Beach Dog-Friendly
• Facilities at Challaborough Beach
• Parking at Challaborough Beach
• Activities at Challaborough Beach
• Similar beaches near Challaborough Beach
• Properties near Challaborough Beach

About Challaborough Beach

Situated in the shadow of Blue Flag-awarded Bigbury-On-Sea Beach and just a stone’s throw from the iconic Bantham Beach, Challaborough Beach is a wonderful place to visit. This pretty little cove is often overlooked by Devon residents and holidaymakers alike, who flock to more well-known sandy spots.

If you’ve already been to the region’s best-known beaches and like the thought of exploring somewhere new, then Challaborough Beach is an excellent option. This applies whether you’re a walker, swimmer, sunbather, artist or any other kind of beach-lover. Challaborough is also a popular place for surfing, especially at times during the summer, when the waves off Bigbury-On-Sea and Bantham are at their busiest.

As a sandy beach, Challaborough is perfect for having a picnic or making sandcastles with the kids, while the rockpools at the edges offer endless fun for intrepid youngsters. You’ll find a holiday park nearby, which means additional shops and eateries close to the sands. This beach can be popular in the peak seasons due to its close location to the holiday park.

At all times of the year, Challaborough makes a lovely spot for a rest as you walk the South West Coast Path. You can see beautiful Burgh Island and its iconic Art Deco hotel from a new perspective before travelling further along the coastal path or making your way inland to Ringmore Woods, just 1.25 miles from Challaborough Beach.

Directions to Challaborough Beach

Challaborough Beach is located on the South Devon coastline, close to the famous Burgh Island. Challaborough Beach is best visited by car, here are the different directions you might need to locate the beach and car park on the seafront.

For Sat Nav users, use the postcode TQ7 4HZ to head to Challaborough Beach.

From Salcombe:

Challaborough Beach is just under 12 miles from Salcombe.

1. Leave Salcombe on Salcombe Road/A381.
2. A little over two miles past the village of Malborough, turn left to remain on the A381, signposted for Plymouth, Modbury, Totnes and Thurlestone.
3. Go straight on at the roundabout (A379).
4. Take the first exit at the next roundabout. This will take you onto Tidal Road/Stakes Hill. (Note that this route is tide-dependent.)
5. Continue on this road until you come to St Ann’s Chapel. Turn left at the junction.
6. Pass through the village of Bigbury and continue up the hill. You’ll come to a right turn signposted ‘Challaborough – 1 mile’. Take this turn and follow the narrow lane.
7. When you arrive at the holiday park, take a left at the shop and then an immediate right to the car park. Report to the park reception to pay.

From Dartmouth:

This beach is approximately 20 miles from Dartmouth.

1. Leave Dartmouth on the A3122. After seven miles, you’ll arrive at a T-junction with the Totnes Cross 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 (tide-dependent).
5. Continue on this road until you come to St Ann’s Chapel. Turn left at the junction.
6. Pass through the village of Bigbury and continue up the hill. Take the right turn signposted ‘Challaborough – 1 mile.’
7. Follow this road to Challaborough Beach. When you arrive at the Holiday Park, take a left at the shop and then an immediate right to the car park.

Is Challaborough Beach Dog-Friendly

One of the main questions surrounding Challaborough Beach is whether you can bring your dog.

Challaborough Beach does not allow dogs between the 1st of May and the 30th of September. This is due to the popularity of the beach in the summertime and its close proximity to the holiday park.

For the rest of the year, your dogs are free to run around the golden sands, chasing tennis balls and digging to their heart’s content.

If you want to find dog-friendly beaches during peak season, check out our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in South Devon.

Facilities at Challaborough Beach

With the beach being closely connected to a holiday park, there are several facilities at Challaborough Beach.

Public toilets are nearby, as well as several eateries in case you get hungry while soaking up the sun. Fryer Tucks Fish and Chips offers a variety of dishes, from smaller options like jacket potatoes to main meals such as burgers and, of course, traditional fish and chips. You can choose to dine indoors or outside.

Also close by is the Waterfront Bar & Restaurant, which overlooks the beach. It’s the perfect spot to relax with a well-earned drink at the end of the day while watching the last few bodyboarders catch their final waves. With classic pub dishes available too, you can enjoy a satisfying meal as the sun sets.

There’s also a Nisa Local near the beach where you can pick up any last-minute food and drink supplies. If you’ve forgotten your spade, they stock a range of beach-themed items too.

If you have already come prepared though, with all your buckets and spades, bodyboards and picnics, you are ready to enjoy the seaside.

Parking at Challaborough Beach

There is a small privately-owned car park with room for around 20 cars, just a few metres from the beach (what3words: ///started.minus.radiates). Parking costs £5 per day. Report to the holiday park’s reception to pay.

There are also spaces inside the holiday park but again, head to the reception of the holiday park for more information.

There is a larger car park with more capacity at the nearby Bigbury-On-Sea Beach (what3words: ///finger.december.hawks), which is a 10-15 minute walk away (involving steep hills).

Activities from Challaborough Beach

Although there are no supervised activities on the beach, Challaborough is a popular location for both surfers and bodyboarders. The beach offers great conditions due to its shape around the coastline. Whether you have only just got into surfing or you are an experienced pro, Challaborough Beach is great for both to enjoy.

Challaborough Beach is also a top spot for rock pooling, with low tides offering some great areas along the beach to explore with the whole family. What kind of creatures will you find?

RNLI lifeguards operate on this beach from the 18th of May until the 29th of September. If there is no flag on the beach, there is no lifeguard on patrol. 

Beaches near Challaborough Beach

With a nice sandy middle area and enticing rock pools at the edges for kids to explore, Challaborough Beach has many similarities to Mouthwell Sands at Hope Cove. South Milton Sands and Thurlestone Sands.

Other compact coves, which are rather quieter, include Lannacombe Beach, Mattiscombe Sands and Ayrmer Cove.

If you aim to find a more spacious beach for a little more room to spread out or a more secluded cove, you have a couple of other options in the local area:

1. Walk west along the South West Coast Path towards the more remote beaches of Ayrmer Cove (0.5 miles) or Wyscombe Beach (1.25 miles). At either of these, you’ll find more seclusion amongst the rugged, rocky scenery, but there are no facilities available.
2. Head east towards Bigbury-On-Sea, Bantham Beach or South Milton Sands, where the bays are both spacious enough to accommodate everyone and well served with all the facilities you need for a fantastic day at the beach.

Properties near Challaborough Beach

Now you know everything about Challaborough Beach, are you ready to head down and explore its golden sands and stunning scenery?

Take a look at these fantastic properties in and around Challaborough Beach:

For comprehensive information about South Devon’s best beaches, see our South Devon Beach Bible. Or take a look at the full collection of holiday cottages by the beach,  South Devon cottages and properties in nearby Bigbury-on-Sea.