Blackpool Sands in South Devon, one of the UK's most beautiful and natural beaches which has the coveted Blue Flag status, will this year be offering visitors a host of exciting and fun experiences making this much-loved beach a top favourite.

The beach is privately owned by the Newman family who have joined forces with multi-award winning hoteliers Charlie and Zuzana Deuchar to offer culinary and active experiences that will continue to support its mission to keep the beach as natural and perfect as possible, whilst welcoming people to this wonderful part of South Devon.

Whether you're walking the South West Coast Path, enjoying a romantic break, visiting with friends and family, or exploring the 'secret' Blackpool Gardens, Blackpool Sands has something for everyone.

The new Blackpool Sands Takeaway - completely glass and plastic free - will only provide locally sourced food that has a minimal impact on the environment. With ample outdoor seating, breathing in the fresh salty air will be the order of the day, with an indoor seating area too, for inclement weather.

The takeaway features live music every Saturday that is perfect for laidback seaside socialising.  Sublime food, excellent coffee, incredible views, and relaxing live tunes add to the welcoming vibe at this incredible place. Grab a blanket, sit on the beach and enjoy.

Plans for a new saltwater sauna are in progress - an authentic, Finnish wood fired sauna - which will allow people to recharge against the backdrop of this splendid sweep of beach. 

The sea at Blackpool Sands is remarkably clear, and new water sport facilities with Sea Kayak Devon, including sit on kayaks and paddleboards will give visitors a different viewpoint of the beach, with a seasonal pontoon for diving off.

A new shop with a wholly sustainable focus will be the hub for South Devon paddle boarding and beach goods.

Blackpool Sands, a popular swimmers beach, is made up of tiny pebbles, which have their own enduring appeal and negates the impact of sand getting everywhere, but for little ones, there is a large sandpit which allows them to build their dream sandcastles. 

There's ample parking, loos and showers and access for wheel-chair users to the shop and eating areas. 

And for those who want to stay, there's off-grid accommodation within walking distance of the beach with Wildcomfort and Sea Thrift,  while other accommodation providers include the award-winning Bayards Cove Inn, Leonards Cove and Stoke Lodge Hotel.

The beach is easily accessible along the A379 by following the brown tourist signs from Dartmouth (4.5miles). 

Blackpool Sands is a must visit place for eco conscious travellers who want to enjoy South Devon's beautiful beaches with well-provided facilities but want to leave the lightest of footprints.

With its laid-back atmosphere, charming staff and beguiling beauty, Blackpool Sands is a go-to destination for 2023 with a strong message to be kind to the planet.

Blackpool Sands 

Blue Flag Beach - Blackpool Sands is a Blue Flag award-winning beach. The waters at Blackpool Sands are unusually clear and are tested regularly by the Environment Agency to confirm their cleanliness. 

NEW Blackpool Sands Takeaway - opening on April 1, this new takeaway will offer only sustainable food sourced in the West Country and prepared by new chef Grant Holloway. A waste minimal approach to menu-planning uses seasonal produce, and only locally landed sustainable fish.

NEW Zero plastic and glass policy (previously zero plastic).

NEW Big name brands excluded from food and drink sourcing

NEW Blackpool Sands Beach Shop - opening in May, this will offer an array of responsibly sourced beach goods and watersports equipment.

NEW Water sports - offered by Sea Kayak Devon (images here) with stand up paddleboarding, sit on top kayaking, guided tours looking at the coast and marine environment and other water-based activities.

NEW Authentic wood-fired Saltwater Sauna heading our way soon with stunning views across the beach.

Accommodation

NEW unique Birdhouse Cabins (images here) offered by Wildcomfort overlooking Start Bay - off-grid luxury cabins 5 minutes walk from Blackpool Sands

Sea Thrift Shepherds Hut, delightful off grid accommodation a short  walk from the beach.

Multi-award winning Bayards Cove Inn, Dartmouth - 10 minutes by car

Refuse collection handled by  Devon Contract Waste, sustainable and responsible waste management.

A partnership with The 2 Minute Foundation to raise awareness of litter and plastic pollution by giving everyone the tools they need to do their bit to help keep beaches clean. 

Facilities Disabled toilet, showers, and a parent and child toilet.

Disabled Access to the café, takeaway and shop, together with some dedicated Blue Badge parking.

Daily beach cleaning using specialist vehicles that can travel across the small pebble beach.

Summer sandpit raked and re-shaped for children.

Litter removal along the tide line.

Blackpool Sands is a long-standing member of the Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (DATA), comprising over 35 top tourist attractions in Devon.

RNLI Beach Lifeguards during the summer season.

Interpretation boards; one with a plan of the beach giving safety information, Blue Flag criteria and safe bathing area, and another describing the history of the 1404 Battle of Blackpool.

Funded by Blackpool Sands; 

Wildlife and Marine environment - Blackpool Sands hosts a Wildlife Ranger to lead family and children for a Rockpool Ramble. 

'Professor Elfic' - an ever popular local entertainer whose beach themed performances give a serious message about the recycling of discarded rubbish.

Outdoor classroom for local schools with beach and sea awareness programs such as sea pollution, beach litter and recycling, lifesaving and marine life.  

Events

June 10 - 11 - Dartmouth Sea Swim and Triathlon (sportivaevents.co.uk/events/dartmouth-triathlon)

July 21 and 22 - 'Tunes on the Sands' Music Festival  (tunesonthesands.com)

To find out more visit www.blackpoolsands.co.uk or for regular updates follow Blackpool Sands on Facebook and Blackpool Sands Devon on Instagram.

ENDS

For further information or to request an interview with Geoffrey and Robert Newman or Charlie and Zuzana Deuchar please contact Lucy Johnson 07866497976 / lucy@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk

About Blackpool Sands

To find Blackpool Sands, from Dartmouth follow the A379. Blackpool Sands is just south of Dartmouth between Stoke Fleming and Strete.

Blackpool Sands is on the south coast of Devon. It is privately owned by the Newman family and has kept its standards high, making it one of the most popular family beaches in the region. Its crescent shape is made up of small pebbles, approximately 650 metres wide, set in a sheltered bay amongst evergreens and pines giving it an almost Mediterranean feel, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is surrounded by steeply rising fields and woods, and a stream enters the sea at the southern end of the beach.

It is also on the South West Coast Path, and so is the ideal place to start or finish a walk along this beautiful stretch of South Devon coastline.

Blackpool Sands is a Blue Flag award-winning beach. The waters at Blackpool Sands are unusually clear and are tested regularly by the Environment Agency to confirm their cleanliness.

Blackpool Sands is a long standing member of a not for profit organisation, the Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (DATA) representing Devon's Top Attractions. Members are regularly inspected to meet rigorous criteria and quality standards. This ensures that visitors experience quality in terms of venue, facilities, content, service and value for money. 

Blackpool Sands has teamed up with the https://2minute.org/Home, a charity who, with the help of people and passion, are devoted to cleaning up our planet for a better world. This beach has become part of the Charity's network of over 1000  Beach Clean Stations. These new 2 Minute Stations are made entirely from the low grade 'destined for landfill' plastics found on Beach Cleans. They include 4 litter pickers made from recycled aluminium, fishing nets and  compostable bags. They are a great conversation starter and raise awareness of litter and plastic pollution by giving everyone the tools they need to do their bit to help keep beaches clean.