Wembury Beach in 360º

Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Wembury Beach backed by picturesque rolling Devon hills and one of the best beaches for rock pooling in the UK

Location/Facts Potential Hazards History Accommodation Things To Do Where To Eat & Drink Getting Around Getting There Helpful Tips Weather Water Quality Sunrise & Sunset Tide Times Destinations

Wembury beach is in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has enough sand for sunbathing, along with a huge number of rock pools to explore, it’s known as one of the best beaches for rock pooling in the UK. The waters are clean and have won an award from the Marine Conservation Society and are also fairly shallow, so the kids can enjoy a paddle.

The Devon Wildlife Trust oversees the Wembury Marine Centre situated near the beach and car park, which seeks to explain and educate, particularly school children, about the marine environment. The Marine Centre often organise a rockpool ramble which the kids love.

To get a flavour of the local scenery you can take a stroll along the cliff paths, which will take you to Bovisand or Newton Ferrers. If you like there are a couple circular walks using part of the famous South West Coastal Path. Head to Heybrook Bay around Wembury Point up to West Wembury and back or head east to Warren Point which passes the ferry point, from which you could cross over to Noss Mayo or carry on the walk up through Clitters Wood and return to the beach via Wembury village.

The rural setting means it benefits from dark skies, so it’s a great place for some stargazing.

Location/Facts

Wembury Beach is in part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in South Hams on the south coast of Devon, UK 6 miles from Plymouth.

The rocks around Wembury consist primarily of slates and sandstones which were formed around 400 million years ago during the Devonian geologic period. The cliffs around Wembury are composed of sandstone and the rocks which make the rockpools are slate.
The Marine Centre was opened in 1994.
Basking Sharks can sometimes be seen in the summer near the Mewstone.
The Old Mill Café was formerly a water-powered corn mill. The seating area outside the café is the old wheel pit and old mill stones are used for tables.
Wembury Mill was acquired by the National Trust in 1939 and is now used as a café.
The National Trust bought both Wembury Point and the Mewstone in 2006 turning the latter into a nature reserve and returning the former to its natural environment.
The Mewstone island has been used as a refuge for smugglers and even as a prison, but visitors are no longer permitted.

Potential Hazards

Strong currents
Unstable Cliffs
Surfers
Submerged Objects

History

St. Werburgh Church above Wembury Beach was founded between 800 – 1300.
First mention of a mill at Wembury Beach was 1283

Accommodation

Things To Do

Bodyboarding
Diving
Kayaking
Langdon Beach
Marine Centre (Open Easter – September)
Paddle boarding
Rock pooling
Snorkeling
South West Coastal Path
Stargazing
Surfing
Wembury Point

Where To Eat & Drink

Old Mill Cafe
The Odd Wheel (The Oddy)

Getting Around

There’s a National Trust beach car park, 70m from beach with 21 wide concrete steps with a handrail down to the beach. Alternatively there is also a sloping path from the car park to the beach through a gate and over a wooden bridge.

Wheelchair access is not easy, either over large pebbles and rocks or the small wooden bridge and then down 4 steps to the beach.

Getting There

Wembury, Plymouth PL9 0HN. Car is the easiest way to get here with a large car park located down a quiet country lane, just above the beach.

Bus, Stop at southland park road and then a 10 minute walk down to the beach. There are regular buses to Wembury from Plymouth.
Car, There is a large car park, where you can park for free with a national trust membership rather than £6 fee! There is also a small car park by St Werburgh Church, which can be used by the public when the church is not being used for services. A contribution is expected.
Ferry, East of the beach (on your left as you face the sea), the South West Coastal Path leads to a ferry point, from which it is possible to cross over to Noss Mayo.
Walking, the coastal path runs right past the beach with some stunning cliff top views.

Helpful Tips

Park for free with a national trust membership.
To the west of the main beach there is a long beach called Langdon Beach which is accessible from the coast path, this is mainly rocky but with some patches of sand.
Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time of day between 1st May and 30th September. However they are welcome all year round at Langdon Beach just around the corner.
Be aware of the seagulls if you’re outside with food.
Beach is cleaned daily during the summer.
Public toilets yes beside the Old Mill Cafe and they are free.
Beach Type: sand and shale.
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