Stoke Fleming is a quiet, attractive village set high on the cliffs above one of the best-loved beaches in South Devon. With sea views across Start Bay, a friendly local pub, excellent food options, a well-stocked village shop and easy access to Dartmouth, it makes an excellent base for a relaxed coastal holiday.
Although it is not as obviously beach-focused as some nearby villages, Stoke Fleming offers something slightly different. It has a calm, elevated feel, with open views, wide skies and a slower pace of life. Mornings tend to be unhurried here, and days often revolve around trips down to Blackpool Sands, coastal walks and easy evenings back in the village.
Why Stoke Fleming Is a Great Base
Stoke Fleming works particularly well as a holiday base because of its location. Sitting just three miles from Dartmouth, it gives you the peace of a clifftop village while keeping one of Devon’s most characterful towns close at hand. Dartmouth offers independent shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and riverside walks, all without the need to stay somewhere busy or congested.
The village is also ideally placed for exploring Start Bay and the wider South Hams. Slapton Sands, Torcross, Strete, East Prawle and Totnes are all within easy reach, making Stoke Fleming a good option for visitors who like to explore by car. It suits people who want scenery and space, but still want variety close by.
Blackpool Sands: One of the UK’s Most Beautiful Beaches
Blackpool Sands is the main draw for many people staying in Stoke Fleming. Despite its name, it is a sheltered shingle cove framed by steep wooded hills, with exceptionally clear water and a very distinctive feel. It regularly appears on lists of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, and once you see it, it is easy to understand why.
Swimming and Water
The beach is naturally protected from strong winds and swell, which makes the water calm and ideal for swimming on most days. The shingle shelves quite steeply, so you can swim properly almost immediately without a long wade. This is a big part of its appeal for confident swimmers. Families with younger children should be aware of the quicker drop-off and keep a close eye near the waterline.
Facilities
Blackpool Sands is known for having some of the best facilities in the South Hams, which makes beach days here particularly easy and comfortable.
- A large, well-run car park
- Excellent toilets and hot showers
- A café and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating
- Takeaway options for beach picnics
- A beach sauna
- Summer events and occasional live music
Walking Down from the Village
You can walk down to the beach from Stoke Fleming through woodland and quiet lanes. The walk back up is steep, so many visitors walk down and drive back, especially when carrying picnic gear or beach kit.
Food and Drink in Stoke Fleming
For a small village, Stoke Fleming has a surprisingly strong food scene. Everything is within easy walking distance, which makes evenings simple and relaxed.
Green Dragon Inn
The Green Dragon is a friendly, characterful village pub that does very good food alongside a wide range of drinks. It has a warm, informal atmosphere and is popular with both locals and visitors. It is the sort of place where muddy boots, dogs and children all feel welcome after a day outdoors.
Trattoria Spaggia
This Italian restaurant has quickly become a local favourite. It brings something a little different to the village and is a great alternative to pub food.
- Fresh, homemade pasta
- Authentic sauces
- Good pizzas on designated nights
- Friendly, welcoming service
- Very good value for money
It is a strong option if you want a relaxed but memorable meal without leaving the village.
Leonard’s Cove Coffee Shack
During the summer months, Leonard’s Cove campsite hosts a small coffee shack serving good coffee and light snacks. It is a lovely spot for a quiet morning drink with views across the bay.
Village Shop and Post Office
The village shop and post office is well stocked and reliable for essentials, fresh produce and everyday items. For larger shops, Dartmouth has both Lidl and Sainsbury’s just a short drive away.
Walking and Exploring from Stoke Fleming
Stoke Fleming is well placed for both coastal and countryside exploration. You can choose gentle strolls or longer scenic days out, depending on how active you feel.
Walk to Blackpool Sands
This is a popular and very scenic route, heading downhill through woodland and along quiet lanes. The walk down is enjoyable and manageable for most people. The return climb is steep, which is why many visitors choose to walk down and drive back.
Start Bay and Slapton Sands
A short, picturesque drive along the coast brings you to Strete Gate and Slapton Sands. This area offers long beach walks, expansive views and excellent swimming spots. It is perfect for photography and quieter off-season walks, and a great place for sunrise. Keep your eyes peeled for seals and the occasional dolphin.
Dartmouth and Little Dartmouth
Dartmouth makes an excellent day out. You can enjoy riverside walks, independent shops, cafés and the historic waterfront. It has a very different feel to the exposed coastline and adds variety to a stay in Stoke Fleming.
For a scenic coastal route, start from Little Dartmouth car park and follow the headland path towards Dartmouth Castle and the town itself.
Further Afield
- Totnes
- Slapton and Torcross
- East Prawle
- Gara Rock
- East Portlemouth and the Salcombe ferry
This flexibility is one of the village’s biggest strengths.
Who Stoke Fleming Is Best For
Stoke Fleming is not a traditional seaside village, and that is exactly why many people choose it. It suits visitors who want calm surroundings and easy access to standout scenery and beaches.
Best for
- Couples
- Families with younger children
- Food lovers
- Confident beach swimmers
- Visitors wanting a quiet base without feeling isolated
- People who enjoy exploring by car
- Anyone who appreciates clifftop scenery and sea views
Less ideal for
- Teenagers looking for amusements or surf beaches
- Visitors wanting to stay directly on the seafront
- Those who dislike uphill walks
- Guests without a car
For people who value comfort, scenery and a relaxed pace, Stoke Fleming works extremely well.
The Practical Side of Staying in Stoke Fleming
By South Hams standards, Stoke Fleming is relatively easy to reach. The roads are narrower than main routes but generally more forgiving than the lanes around places like Hope Cove or Bantham. Most holiday cottages have parking either outside or very close by.
The walk down to Blackpool Sands is achievable for most visitors, but the climb back is steep. Families often prefer to drive, and the beach car park is large and well organised. With a village shop, two excellent places to eat, Dartmouth nearby and one of the best beaches in the country just below the village, everything feels straightforward and convenient.
Why Stoke Fleming Is a Lovely Coastal Base
Stoke Fleming may not be a headline holiday village, but that is part of its appeal. It is one of the most relaxing places to stay in the South Hams. Days tend to be unhurried, with time for slow mornings, long swims at Blackpool Sands and easy evenings back in the village.
It offers comfort, scenery and calm without feeling cut off. For many visitors, that balance is exactly what makes a South Devon holiday special.