Thurlestone is one of South Devon’s most quietly beautiful coastal villages – a place of sea views, sheltered beaches, huge skies and gently winding footpaths. It’s slightly more upmarket and noticeably quieter than nearby hotspots, yet still has everything you need within walking distance: beaches, a friendly pub, stunning coastal path routes and some of the best swimming spots in the South Hams.
Whether you’re here for calm beach days, coastal walks, tennis, golf or simply unwinding somewhere peaceful and scenic, Thurlestone is one of the best places to base yourself for a relaxed South Devon holiday.
Why Thurlestone Makes a Brilliant Holiday Base
Thurlestone has a spacious, coastal charm that people fall in love with. Many cottages come with sea views, and the village gives you quick walking access to six beaches, the South West Coast Path, and a handful of excellent food and drink options.
It’s ideal if you want somewhere quieter and more refined than the bigger villages, while still being close to Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Hope Cove and Bantham.
The Best Beaches in Thurlestone (All Walkable)
One of Thurlestone’s biggest strengths is the sheer variety of beaches you can reach on foot. Each one feels different. Some are sheltered and perfect for swimming, others are wild and atmospheric, and one or two feel almost secret. Being able to choose the right beach for the weather, tide or mood of the day makes Thurlestone a brilliant base.
South Milton Sands
Great for: families, swimming, dogs
Good to know: parking fills quickly in summer
South Milton Sands is one of the most popular beaches in the South Hams – long, scenic, and backed by soft sand and incredible views. It’s great for swimming and paddling, though it does get crowded in peak season. If you’re driving, expect queues on the lanes and limited parking on summer days.
Food & Drink: The Beach House is a brilliant spot for food, coffees and relaxed beachside dining. In the summer, The Rock Box sets up in a field near the beach for pizza, burgers, sundowners and live music.
Leas Foot Beach (Leasfoot)
Great for: families, sheltered swimming, parking
Local tip: your top recommendation for an easy beach day
This lovely sandy beach sits below the golf course and is one of the quietest beaches in the area that still has parking nearby. It is sheltered, brilliant for swimming and usually much calmer than South Milton Sands. Families love it for its soft sand and easy access. Even at the height of summer it often feels peaceful.
Local insight:
- There’s often a small tuk-tuk near Leas Foot selling coffees, cold drinks, snacks and sometimes ice creams – perfect for beach days.
- Dogs are welcome all year round.
Yarmer Beach
Great for: swimming, sunsets, space
Character: long, shingly, atmospheric
Yarmer feels remote even though it sits between two busy beaches. It has a long stretch of shingle, deep clear water at high tide and huge open views. It is rarely crowded, which makes it ideal for swimmers who want space and for evening walks while the sun sets behind the headland.
Dog-friendly year round.
Broadsands / Butter Cove
Great for: adventurous visitors, quiet days, secluded swimming
Access: steep path – not suitable for everyone
Broadsands is one of those “if you know, you know” beaches. Reached by a steep path down the cliff, it’s sheltered, peaceful and popular with nudists due to its remote feel. When the tide is right, there’s a fantastic deep rock pool where locals jump in – and the high-tide swimming here can be stunning.
Local insight: At low tide, it’s rockier, but still beautiful. To the right-hand side (past the nudists), there’s a deep natural rock pool for cooling off.
Bantham Beach
Great for: surfing, café stops, lively atmosphere
Walkable? Yes – about 30 minutes, and well worth it
Bantham is the furthest walk from Thurlestone but still easily doable. It’s one of the best surf beaches in the South West and has a lovely lively feel in summer. Expect dog restrictions during peak months.
Food & Drink:
- Bantham Village Stores – coffee and lunches
- Snack shacks in summer
- The Sloop Inn – proper pub for a pint and pub grub
Food & Drink in Thurlestone
Thurlestone’s friendly village pub is a real highlight, serving great food with a warm welcome. It’s dog-friendly, popular with locals, and exactly the kind of cosy pub people love stumbling back to after a day on the coast path.
The Village Inn
Thurlestone’s friendly village pub is a real highlight, serving great food with a warm welcome. It’s dog-friendly, popular with locals, and exactly the kind of cosy pub people love stumbling back to after a day on the coast path.
The Thurlestone Hotel
The Trevider Restaurant, situated within the renowned hotel, offers fine dining that utilises local produce and is complemented by stunning sea views in a luxurious setting.
The Beach House (South Milton Sands)
A must-visit for anyone staying in Thurlestone. The food is consistently good, and the view is one of the best in the area. It can get busy at weekends so it helps to be flexible with timings.
A fire in the spring of 2025 destroyed the original building, but a new set-up has emerged and the good vibes remain.
Bantham Village Stores & The Sloop Inn
Both very handy if you walk over to Bantham. Perfect for a beach picnic or a relaxed meal before heading back across the fields.
Activities & Things to Do
Thurlestone is peaceful, but it has plenty to keep you busy if you want more than beach days. The village has a long-established hotel, tennis club and a famous links golf course, plus easy access to the best coastal walking in the South Hams.
Thurlestone Hotel
A South Hams landmark. Even if you’re not staying there, you can enjoy:
- Cream teas on the terrace or in the lounges
- Day passes for the spa and leisure facilities (subject to availability)
- Pitch & putt golf on the easy nine-hole course – great for beginners, kids and social players
Thurlestone Golf Club
One of Devon’s most famous links courses – exposed, scenic and challenging. This is a members’ club; visitors usually need a handicap to play, but it’s a spectacular experience for golfers.
Tennis Club
Grass courts that can be hired – a brilliant addition for active visitors.
Walking
Thurlestone is one of the best walking bases in the South Hams.
Favourite local routes:
- Thurlestone → Bantham (classic loop, great pub stop)
- Thurlestone → South Milton Sands (easy, beautiful)
- Thurlestone → Hope Cove (longer but amazing scenery)
- Circular walks around the golf course and headlands
Who Thurlestone Is Perfect For
Thurlestone attracts visitors who want peace, scenery and a slower pace. It suits people who like early swims, quiet beaches, long walks and evenings spent overlooking the sea.
Ideal for:
- Couples
- Older visitors
- Families wanting safe, easy beaches
- Swimmers
- Walkers
- Dog owners
- Golf and tennis fans
- Anyone wanting a peaceful, scenic base
Not ideal for:
- People wanting nightlife
- Those who dislike narrow Devon lanes
- Visitors needing lots of shops/cafés on their doorstep
Dogs in Thurlestone
Thurlestone is very dog friendly. The village itself is calm and usually quiet, and once you reach the fields or the coast path dogs can roam more freely. The beaches here are a real highlight for dog owners because several are accessible all year.
Dog-friendly beaches:
- Leas Foot
- Yarmer
- South Milton Sands
- Broadsands
- Bantham (restrictions in summer)
The coastal path here is generally very safe for dogs, though nervous owners should take care near cliff edges.
Discover dog-friendly holiday cottages in Thurlestone
Practical Information
Thurlestone is one of the simplest villages to stay in. Most holiday cottages come with parking and many have sea views. You can walk to beaches and the coast path from almost anywhere in the village.
- Most holiday cottages have parking
- Many have sea views
- Enjoy the phone box book exchange
- Brilliant base for walking – you can explore for days without needing the car
- Kingsbridge and Salcombe are both quick, easy drives
- Two supermarkets in Kingsbridge
Why Thurlestone Is One of the Best Places to Stay in South Devon
Thurlestone offers a rare combination of peace, scenery and convenience. It is quiet without feeling isolated, refined without feeling formal, and full of easy things to do without feeling busy. With its beautiful beaches, gentle walking routes and welcoming atmosphere, it is no surprise that visitors return year after year.