Tiny UK beach is one of England's most beautiful and tourists don't even know it
Soar Mill Cove is a stunning, secluded and unspoilt little beach offering a truly idyllic coastal experience, making it a luscious location for nature nuts and those who prefer peace and quiet
Situated near Salcombe in South Devon and surrounded by the craggy heath and rolling green hills of the South Hams, Soar Mill Cove lies beneath the dramatic black cliffs of Bolt Head, creating a breathtaking natural setting and putting it right up there with the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
One of the most compelling reasons to visit this small, sheltered and sandy inlet is its unblemished beauty and peaceful atmosphere. However, the beach is accessible only on foot via the South West Coast Path, with the nearest National Trust car park a thirty-minute walk away, or a more taxing and much steeper trek of just over a mile from the Soar Mill Cove Hotel.
While this helps preserve its quiet and pristine environment, the lack of direct road access means you won't find crowds or commercial facilities there, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. The absence of phone signal further encourages a digital detox.
At low tide, Soar Mill Cove reveals a small area of golden sand perfect for sunbathing, building sandcastles and relaxing. A gentle stream runs through the center of the beach and rock pools emerge, where you can explore marine life such as crabs and anemones.
The cove is also a haven for birdwatchers, with species including ravens, shags, kestrels and peregrine falcons often spotted in the area. Adventurous visitors can also explore some of the best sea caves in South Devon, which are located nearby.
The surrounding cliffs and coast path offer excellent opportunities for hiking and exploring, with the Bolberry Down and Soar Mill Cove circular route providing spectacular views of the South Devon coastline, as well as glimpses of local history.
For water sports enthusiasts, the cove is a favourite stop-off for those in the know, including kayakers and small boats sailing from Salcombe. The clear, sheltered sea is perfect for wild swimming and the water quality is high, making it a safe and refreshing spot for a dip.
For those interested in underwater exploration, the coastline near Soar Mill Cove offers excellent snorkelling and some of the best wreck diving in South Devon. The area is known for shipwrecks including The Maine, which divers can access by boat.
Pet owners will appreciate that dogs are welcome all year round — the beach's natural setting provides plenty of space for your four-legged friends to roam freely and without restrictions.
While the beach itself has no facilities such as toilets, lifeguards or refreshments, the nearby Soar Mill Cove Hotel offers a comfortable place to stay or enjoy a meal. The hotel serves as a convenient base for exploring the cove and surrounding countryside, where visitors can indulge in traditional Devonshire treats like cream teas featuring local delicacies.
Soar Mill Cove is a hidden gem that appeals to those who appreciate natural beauty, outdoor adventure and peaceful seclusion. Its dramatic cliffs, sandy shore, abundant wildlife and excellent walking routes combine to create a unique coastal escape, offering a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, as well as a chance to connect with the stunning South Devonshire landscape.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
How entry fees took over Britain's countryside
Growing stretches of the English countryside are 'falling behind a paywall,' campaigners warn as national parks grapple with drastic funding cuts. The Peak District National Park Authority caused uproar last week when executives said they were mulling the introduction of a £1 entry fee. Meanwhile, visitors to the New Forest face fresh parking charges. Elsewhere, centuries-old free access to Lord Bathurst's Cirencester Park in Gloucestershire was monetised last year, access to a popular waterfall on Dorset's Bridehead Estate was blocked as of Monday, and the National Trust has hiked its membership fees by 25pc in the space of just three years. While the fees may be small, campaigners say they underpin a crisis of growing inaccessibility to Britain's beauty spots. Recent government research found that 34pc of people do not have access to a woodland larger than 50 acres within 4km of their home. And just 8pc of land in England is covered by the right to roam – making it one of the worst rate rates in Europe, according to a separate 2022 study. Lewis Winks, of the Right to Roam campaign, said: 'From entry fees for historically open parks, to pay-for-permission wild camping and river swimming, the paywalling of the countryside is quietly shutting the public out. 'Britain already has the lowest levels of nature connectedness in Europe – we should be making it easier for everyone to get outside, not creating more barriers.' National park entry fees An entry fee to England's most accessible national park, the Peak District, has been suggested by its chief executive Phil Mulligan. The authority's financial troubles have been blamed on a fixed government grant that has not accounted for inflation or other costs such as the rise in the minimum wage. The dwindling of funds comes as the Peak District grapples with parking mayhem, overcrowding and litter problems which have blighted popular attractions such as Mam Tor. Mr Mulligan told the BBC that the park, which has around 13 million visitors per year, has cut 10pc of its staff in recent months and suffered a 50pc real terms funding cut over the last decade. A 10p per person fee would cover its recent losses, while a bolder £1 rate would eliminate the need for core government funding. The idea has been backed by the Reform UK leader of Derbyshire County Council. But the Peak District isn't alone in considering an admission charge. Kevin Bishop, chief executive of the Dartmoor National Park Authority, questioned if the rugged moorlands need to become the 'equivalent to a low-emission zone' where 'you get charged entry'. As reported by The Times, he said a public debate was needed on how national parks' upkeep should be paid for. 'Are you going to have a national park funding model whereby you have to pay a hiking licence, like you have to do in some countries every time you want to go for a walk?' The prospect of enforcing entry fees to access our national parks – which would need to be greenlit by the Government – has split opinion. Diane Drinkwater, of the British Beekeepers Association, believes access to nature 'should never become a luxury', and stresses that revenue raised must be ring-fenced and reinvested into the natural world. Kate Ashbrook, of the Open Spaces Society, said the group 'would certainly object to a fee just to enter an area', while regular Peak District hiker, Chloe Groom, said: 'The people who will be hit hardest are those that visit the national park two or three times a week. This takes enjoying the outdoors from a free and accessible activity to one that has a price tag.' Reacting after news broke of the potential £1 charge, Telegraph reader, Lee McLoughlin, commented: 'Here begins the monetising of outdoor spaces. Hell awaits society.' Mike Ross, who labelled the proposal 'ridiculous', said 'soon we won't be able to visit any part of the country without paying fees. What is life coming to?'. A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: 'Our national parks are a source of great national pride, which is why this government is providing them with a capital uplift of £15m. 'This is in addition to the £400m we are investing in restoring nature across the country. We are also helping national parks cut through bureaucracy and take an entrepreneurial approach to boost earnings.' Car park fees continue to climb Cash-strapped authorities have also been accused of exploiting Britain's beauty spots via their car parking fees. A minimum stay at Snowdon's popular Pen-y-Pass car park costs £20. Staying for a full day sets visitors back £40. Examples of rate increases at beauty spots are endless. Despite strong opposition, Leeds City Council this year introduced parking charges at five of its parklands, while Labour-run Birmingham City Council is pushing to bring in controversial rates at a trio of parks visited by thousands each year. The year-round fees, costing up to £5 a day, are proposed for Sutton Park, Sheldon Country Park and Lickey Hills Country Park. Ewan Mackey, a Conservative councillor, said: 'These parks were given to the people of this city for their use in perpetuity, for the benefit of their health and well-being. 'They weren't given to the council to be used as an out in Labour's ongoing cycle of crises.' The council concedes the charges are 'unpopular', but said in a report that it is 'reasonable to ask park users to contribute financially to [their] upkeep'. Elsewhere, Forestry England is considering introducing fees at its 130 car parks in the New Forest. Branded 'highly immoral' and a 'penny pinching' tactic by critics, the public body is understood to be eyeing up the parking price plan for next year. It partly blamed the need to charge motorists on 'prolonged bad weather' which has damaged its car parks and increased maintenance bills. A spokesman said: 'Caring for the New Forest has become increasingly expensive in recent years. This includes the price of vital materials needed to repair and maintain the car parks that have increased by more than 50pc over the last three years. 'At the same time, higher levels of damage to trails and car parks have been caused by prolonged bad weather and increasing usage.' Forestry England said less than 20pc of its funding comes from the Government. The spokesman added: 'We need to raise the majority of funds for car parks, trails and all of the work we do, ourselves. A sustainable approach to funding is needed if we are going to be able to continue to do this vital work and provide these facilities.' For those regularly using beauty spot car parks, annual membership with charities and organisations such as the National Trust, RSPB and Forestry Commission continues to be the most cost-effective option. Locations such as the White Cliffs of Dover (£6 per car) charge for parking, but the sites are free to use for members. Those looking to save on National Trust annual membership can purchase a National Trust for Scotland annual pass for £74.40, and still benefit from the parking perks in the rest of the UK. This is £22 cheaper than buying traditional National Trust membership.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from obstacle courses to circus classes
AS June emerges and the school summer holidays loom, The National Trust has revealed its top events for the summer. From houses to gardens, The National Trust has hundreds of sites - all with different histories and stories. 5 Across 180 National Trust places for the six weeks of the school summer holidays, there will be Summer of Play. This includes gardens and parks jam-packed with free drop-in activities and playful experiences. Some venues will have mini stages, others will have meadow mazes. Families will also be able to build dens, experiment in craft corners, learn circus skills, visit pirate lairs, experience sensory spaces and burrow in cost reading nooks. Summer of Play activities are included within admission and there's no need to book. Tom Freshwater, head of visitor programming at The National Trust has picked out some of the top events on this summer. Summer of Play at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland Seaton Delaval may have been one of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh's smallest country houses, but it was home to the larger-than-life Delaval family. Tom explained: "Known as the 'Gay Delavals' due to their high spirited and flamboyant lifestyle, an invitation to one of their parties was the hottest ticket in town. "In an age notorious for extremes of behaviour, they stood apart as the most notorious of all Georgian partygoers and pranksters. "Like a party from the Delavals' Georgian heyday, expect the unexpected with pop up Summer of Play activities throughout the summer." There will be drop-in circus activities, experts with mini circus performances and demonstrations and a recycled junk orchestra. In addition, children can head to the Delaval Playdium play area with multi-level stages, pulleys and leavers which allow 'productions' to be brought to life. Tom added: "See who's competitive in hobby horse races, or delve into a chest full of sports kit and ball games, plus table tennis and badminton and traditional games like tower block building or four-in-a-row." Also, every Friday in the Community Kitchen Garden, there will be the chance to harvest and get crafty with nature - or curl up in the sheltered story corner, with Young Gardeners. 5 Summer of Play at Chirk Castle, Wrexham Steeped in 700 years of history and nestled in the atmospheric Welsh Marches, Chirk Castle is a magnificent 13th Century Medieval fortress that later became a family home for over 400 years. Tom shared: "With far-reaching views over the Cheshire and Shropshire plains, 480 acres of working farmland and 4.5 acres of award-winning gardens, Chirk's estate makes for a stunning backdrop to the perfect summer adventure. "And of course, no visit would be complete without an exploration of the Medieval castle itself, with stunning gardens, preserved dungeons and state rooms fit for a king." This summer, families can head to Chirk Castle's Big Play Adventure - an outdoor experience for young adventurers. 5 There will be four themed zones to be explored, inspired by the estate itself - Forest, Meadow, Stream and Kitchen Garden. "Each zone is packed with interactive activities designed to spark imagination and encourage active play," Tom added. "From den building and designing your own obstacle course to relaxing in the mindfulness zone and engaging in imaginative play, there's hands-on fun for everyone. "Finish your adventure by climbing the straw bale lookout posts to admire your creative efforts from above." Summer of Play at Hanbury Hall, Worcesterhsire Hanbury Hall is a country retreat in the heart of Worcestershire. "This year's Summer of Play [at Hanbury Hall] is inspired by the magnificent wall paintings inside the Hall, and the Victorian fetes held by the Vernon family," Tom revealed. 5 "Challenge your family to play traditional fete games including coconut shy, hoopla, and tin can alley. "Dance around a giant maypole, dress up as historic characters and put on your own show, and get your heart pumping with games of football, badminton, and cricket." Amongst the activities, there will also be opportunities for smaller children to let off steam, including a play area, building blocks, rocker bikes, balance boards and a sensory table. Events include circus skills, face painting and bracelet making too. The National Trust also recently revealed its top family-friendly attractions for May half term with fairytale castles and 'book jungles'. Plus, The National Trust's best free attractions to visit this summer – from sky gardens to 'city oasis' parks. 5
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
‘The hotel had a dog spa': readers' favourite dog-friendly holidays
Recently, Cornwall Council lifted the season-long dog ban on many of the county's beaches, restricting it to just July and August rather than the six months or so it had been previously. The council publishes a list of beaches, with all restrictions listed, that it's important to check before heading out (there are still 11 beaches where dogs are banned between 10am and 6pm, and there are three protected wildlife areas where they are banned at all times). One of the best beaches, we think, is at Gunwalloe where visitors can stay at the National Trust holiday cottage right by the beach and the cafe has water bowls for dogs. Church Cove is restricted for dog owners in July and August but Dollar Cove next door is dog-friendly at all times. The coast path runs right along the beaches and takes you over to Poldhu or Porthleven, so there are plenty of options for Astley Guardian Travel readers' tips Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage - The four-star hotel Inn on the Square (doubles from £100 B&B) in Keswick is very dog-friendly. It provides a dog spa – very useful after a lovely walk in the fells – dog beds, and tips on green spaces for dogs to do their business. Keswick is a beautiful town with fantastic pubs on gorgeous Derwentwater. The hotel charges a nightly supplement of £25 a dog. Up to two dogs can stay in your North Firbank Cottage (from £700 a week, sleeps four) in the Culzean Castle and Country Park Estate near Maybole is a delightful cottage with two sizeable secure gardens for your dog. It is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is on a short private road that leads only to a couple of rentable cottages. A few minutes' walk in one direction is the estate's public car park, lake, cafe and children's adventure park, while a few minutes' in the other is the huge sandy Maidens beach (dogs welcome all year) with views of Arran and Ailsa Craig. Included in the price are miles of footpaths in the Culzean Estate and admission to the castle (but no dogs inside).David Gilmore The Isle of Man has miles of lead-free walking around the sandy beaches at the top of the island. There are 18 preserved national glens all suitable for off-lead walking – with clean rivers to splash in – and several have a lovely beach at the end. Dash around Gansey Bay beach (dogs welcome all year) in the south, then sit with your well-behaved dog in the bar of the Shore Hotel overlooking the East Ruston Cottages in north-east Norfolk are totally devoted to dogs, providing everything you need for you and your dog. All cottages take at least three dogs. The cottage we stayed in earlier this year had a dog shower and toys, towels, treats and even a birthday card for our border collie. It was lovely for us as well. The company will even provide dog sitters if needed. Margaret Dennis Ynys Môn (Anglesey) is the sort of place where you wake to gulls not traffic. We booked a cottage above Red Wharf Bay then spent each tide-out morning striding sand to Traeth Lligwy, dogs off lead (there are no dog restrictions there) and noses full of salt. Lunch meant fish and chips outside the Ship Inn where water bowls appear before menus. For rainy days there is the dog-friendly cafe at the Oriel Môn museum and arts centre or woodland walks in Newborough Forest where red squirrels flit overhead. Every evening our spaniel snored beside the log burner while we planned tomorrow's ideal beach. Pamela Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Explore ancient oak woodlands and secret beaches at The Little Retreat in Lawrenny (domes sleeping four from £120 a night), Pembrokeshire. Nestled in the walled garden of a 12th-century castle, these luxury domes are fully dog-friendly and overlook the Daugleddau estuary – perfect for wild swims and kayak adventures. Nearby, stroll to hidden coves or visit Carew Castle's dog-welcoming (on the lead) grounds. It's a wildly peaceful escape packed with history, beauty and We really enjoyed a visit to the De Vere at Cotswolds Water Park with our dog. Our ground floor room had doors opening out on to a wide wetland panorama and a boardwalk to pootle along with the dog. The usual extras (beds etc) are provided, you can take your dog to breakfast and use the spa. Nearby towns such as Cirencester are fantastic for dogs, and the biggest hit of all was the Cotswold Wildlife Park nearby, a superb dog-friendly (dogs must be kept on a lead) animal park and We spent our childhood summers at Rita's chalets in Portsalon in County Donegal. The accommodation was basic and cheap. There was no heating, TV or shower but they allowed Sandy, our faithful dog, to stay every year. We still go back but the accommodation, now called the Pier Apartments (from €310 for two nights, two apartments, sleep 5 each) has been massively upgraded. But some things have stayed the same. The harbour is still full of kids jumping into the sea from the pier. The views are as spectacular as ever, and dog-friendly Ballymastocker beach is still the best in the world. And Sandy has been replaced by The Isle of Mull is the most dog-friendly island I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. George the labrador was welcomed with open arms on the ferry crossing from Oban – where they even had a special dog seating area with bowls of water and treats available. All the beaches are breathtaking, and dogs can roam off-lead to their hearts' content. We even managed to take him on the tiny foot ferry over to The Boathouse restaurant on Ulva, where he made best friends with celebrity pooch Grampa, owned by the well-known interior designer Banjo Sedgwick
