The best family beach is not always the most dramatic one. With young children, parking, toilets, food and the amount of equipment you need to carry can matter just as much as the sand.
Hope Cove
Hope Cove offers a sheltered village setting with sandy beaches and places to eat nearby. It works particularly well for guests staying at 1 Alberni Cottage because beach time can become part of the day without another long car journey.
Check tides, sea conditions and current dog signage when you arrive.
South Milton Sands
South Milton Sands is one of the area's easiest full beach days. The National Trust car park is close to the beach, and seasonal facilities make food, toilets and watersports easier to manage.
Arrive early during busy summer periods because the lane and parking can become crowded.
North Sands
North Sands is convenient when you want a Salcombe beach with nearby food and facilities. The Winking Prawn restaurant is beside the beach, making it an easy option for food and drinks during a family beach day. Parking is limited, so treat availability as something to plan rather than assume, and check The Winking Prawn's current opening times before relying on it.
Mill Bay
On the other side of the estuary, Mill Bay is a gorgeous beach with golden sand, views across to Salcombe and toilet facilities. However, if you are staying in Salcombe with little ones, it can be tricky to reach. You can take the ferry to East Portlemouth and walk from there, but there is still a bit of a walk with children and all your beach equipment. Our honest view is that we only head over this way when there are enough people to help carry everything.
There is also a National Trust car park near the beach. Driving around to this side of the estuary can take quite a long time during the summer because of the country lanes and the high volume of traffic, and the car park fills quickly in high season. Mill Bay is beautiful and well worth visiting, but families staying in Salcombe should plan the journey carefully and travel light if possible.
South Sands
South Sands is a beautiful sandy beach with toilets, Bo's Beach Cafe, seasonal watersports and the South Sands passenger ferry connecting it with Salcombe. These facilities make it a lovely place to spend a few hours with children, although seasonal opening times and the current ferry timetable should always be checked before setting out.
Parking and the hill require more planning. Our usual option is to park at the entrance to Overbeck's and walk down in four or five minutes. The climb back is manageable but steeper with lots of kit, and a beach trolley is best avoided because pavement is limited and traffic uses the hill.
Choose the beach that fits your family's real day, not simply the one that photographs best.
Useful links
Explore family-friendly North Sands
View 1 Alberni Cottage in Hope Cove
Explore more South Devon guides