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Map Ref: SX843463
General
Set on a beautiful part of the South Devon coast, this long-established
and famous naturist beach is located on Slapton Sands, near Strete, south
of Dartmouth. Access to the original nude section at Pilchards Cove was
made difficult by a landslip and most use the nearer, north section of
Slapton Sands. The name, however, persists.
Access & Parking
From Dartmouth take the A379 south. Beyond Stoke Fleming the road offers
fantastic views across Start Bay as it skirts the coast. About 1 mile
after passing Strete, the road descends steeply to sea level at Strete
Gate. Here there is a car park on the left and access to the beach. Once
on the beach walk northeast (left) for about a third of a mile to reach
the nude section.
Description
The name Slapton 'Sands' is misleading, since the beach is a mix of
shingle and tiny red pebbles, backed by red sandstone cliffs - beware
falling rocks! Excellent views to the south-east over Start Bay. Depending
upon the tide, the beach shelves steeply below the water's edge with a
strong undertow when sea conditions are rough - swim with caution. The
further end of the beach is said to be where gay men choose to congregate.
During World War Two, Slapton and the surrounding area was emptied of its population and the beach used by American troops rehearsing for the D-Day landings. Hundreds of G.I.'s died during these exercises and at Torcross (at the south end of the beach) a Sherman tank, recovered a few years ago from just offshore, stands as a memorial. This episode in local history was written about by author Leslie Thomas in his book 'The Magic Army"
Facilities
None on the beach itself. WC's located at the Strete car park. "One
thing to watch is that there's only one cash machine in a nearby pub in
Slapton, so make sure you have enough once in Strete."
Water Quality
Unknown
Camping
Naturist-friendly camping is available at Manor Farm, Strete. Tents and
tourers welcome.
For details tel: 01548 511441.
"...a really good site, with what must be unique co-existence in this country. Large field with views to the sea - top two thirds of site textile, bottom third naturist, with just an open post and rail fence to mark an informal division. No gates, and the fence is open to drive / walk round at both ends. Very easygoing and relaxed. All facilities, apart from a fresh water tap, are on the textile side, so need to dress to access them."
Trip Report - August 2005
"This was the first time that my wife and myself have tried nudism. The beach was clean and there were plenty of couples and families using the nude beach area. It felt totally natural to be nude amongst friendly company. The sea was clear and the water perfect for swimming, though the sand and shingle shelved fast.
We so much enjoyed our day, that we repeated the experience later in the week. Certainly a good place to first enjoy the pleasures of nudism There are toilets near to the car park, where we found that there was ample parking. I'd certainly have no hesitation in recommending this beach."
Trip Report - June 2005
"Summer is here at last. The sun was out and I had already planned a brief business trip from Bristol to Exeter. Meeting over by 10:30 and the opportunity to spend the rest of the day at Slapton was just too good to miss.
My wife is not into naturism and with the beach at Slapton not being too child friendly (strong tides and no sand for the sand castles) it has been a few years since my last visit. Thankfully little has changed and the beach is as wonderful as ever. It was a glorious day and the views across the beach when descending the road from Streete rivalled anything you could find in the Med. The clear blue sea was crashing onto the beach under a cloudless sky.
There were plenty of spaces in the pay-and-display car park and a short stroll along the beach path soon brought me to the naturist area. The beach was by no means empty, but there is so much space that it was easy to find a pleasant spot in which to sit and read or just lie in the sun. I have already been on a 'textile' holiday this year and I did feel a little silly with my obvious 'tan lines', but hey, who cares!
The beach itself was very clean and the wild flowers at the back of the beach were in full bloom. The sea looked very appealing but I didn't venture in. It is still only just summer and I could guess the reason why there was nobody else swimming. The time passed far too quickly and it was soon time to dress-up and head back to the car. This is the worst part, to give-up the naked freedom and climb back into a hot car for the drive home. Never mind, perhaps I won't leave it so long before my next visit.
This is just such a great beach and thoroughly recommended if you're in the area."
Trip Report - September 2004
"I went to slapton today, and although very windy, it was warm and pleasant. I found a nice quiet spot against the cliff and watched the views and goings on all day. Recommend this to everyone, and fantastic for couples / all female groups as it is so laid back."
Trip Report - August 2004
"I took the opportunity of going to Slapton Sands this weekend after reading about it on this website.
I arrived on Saturday morning and went straight up to Strete, and booked into the campsite. I found it pretty easy to find (I live near Bideford) and the directions to the Manor campsite were spot-on.
The beach is easy to find and so is Strete Gate carpark. It was, however, £5.00 for the day. There are free parking spaces as you turn into the car park's road, but you have to be bright and early to get a bay.
The beach itself is made up of a beach front which is on a slope, a wide flat area which is dotted with large green plants (commonly known as weeds) is long and ends at the end of the beache's natural arc in at what appears to be a rock fall. It's also backed by high cliffs and these are topped with a thick and beautiful woodland. Overall it all adds up to a soothing environment, especially with the added factor of a generally laid-back beach population.
It was hot on Saturday and I stayed all day.
Overall it was a fabulous weekend. The villagers were unfailingly freindly as was everyone I met. It was a real stress reliever and I even stayed for most of Monday too. I highly recommend it."
Trip Report - 2003
"Slapton is a nice beach but the carpark on a hot day gets full very
quickly... onced parked it can be a hard walk on the shingle. But on a
nice day I wouldn't be anywhere else."
Trip Report - 2002
"It is indeed a nice relaxed naturist beach, used from the Strete
gate carpark (textile overlap at this point) to the rockfall at the
Pilchards cove end. The shingle is fine so you can walk on it, although
it's no good for sand castles. Bathing is good on a calm day - we prefer
the top of the shingle bank from which there is a short walk into the sea.
The beach shelves away rapidly - you are out of your depth in a few yards
and the nudist end is not protected by lifeguards. It can be difficult ot
get out of the water if there is a sea running because of the undertow, so
that you would have to take care with children.
The flat area behind the bank is used for ball games and, especially in June when the approach is studded red , white and pink valerian the beach is a beautiful sight. There is little scope for covert viewing of naturists - people do walk along fully clothed or in swimming costumes but there is no scope for them to lurk and peer. Homosexual activity is reported at the Pilchards cove far end of the beach where a rockfall closes off the sand. There are breaks or clefts in the cliff line at one or two points at this end.
The state of the winter waves and the stacked block structure of the cliffs is such that more falls could occur. So as a practical note, pitch away from the far end, take a wind break, (the beach is wide and exposed), look after the children in the sea, take a bat and ball, kite. Leave bucket and spade at home."
Trip Report - 2001
Having been invited to share a summer holiday for a week with two friends in Salcombe, South Devon, I ventured onto the internet to find out if any suitable nudist beaches were to be on hand. I had been nude on beaches before, mainly as a teenager venturing off on my own whilst on family hoidays in France - I guess I always found being naked in the open very natural. Anyhow, I wanted to try it out properly with my wife (I am 28, she 26), she long knew of my desire to properly try out nudist beaches and agreed to try it, so on day 5 of our holiday we ventured off to Slapton Sands (Pilchard Cove).
We easily found the car park and the walk to the beach was not too far or difficult to work out. As it was a Friday at 5pm it was fairly quiet, even so Rachel was a little nervous at first and only rolled down her cossie to her waist, I undressed to the full. It was the first time I had been nude so openly before and for Rachel the first time nude in public. We were both unsure of the reactions or looks we would get or how we would feel with other people seeing or looking at us naked (or topless). As it turned out we enjoyed a good uninterupted lie on the beach, and a dip in the water, after which Rachel went nude to dry off and commented on how much more comfortable she was doing this than she expected. That day we stayed only an hour.
With the next day being our last in Devon, we again went to Pilchard Cove, having to park a long way down Slapton Sands and walk this time , being a saturday at 11 am. The beach was much busier this time although we found a spot easlily nestled between the main 'row' by the water and the beach behind. I was pleased to see that it was faily mixed, older couples, some other younger couples, some lone males, even a few younger lone females within the area we were which I think relaxed Rachel a great deal. I felt the atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming, nobody stared but we did get eye contact and a smile, mostly from other couples. I found playing in sea and not necassarliy swimming to be enjoyable and comfortable, as was walking along the waters edge (not many stares, just glances and smiles, although I did find it quite enjoyable to be seen by other people who didn't care about my nakedness or indeed my white skinniness I guess this fades once one is used to being on nude beaches). I felt very happy to be nude around so many other people, something I haven't done so openly before, it was refreshing to be able to be nude outdoors and not feel that I should be careful about who might see - because no else gave a damn and they were nude anyway.
Soon after arriving Rachel got the courage to come down to the water nude and paddle and swim a little and was comfotable with the attention (or general lack of it) that she got. I think it was the attention of other men that had put her off before. We both enjoyed a great day on the beach and much prefer the all over tan look anyway, Rachel noted that the attention is less than going topless on a 'textile' beach. We are both now looking forward to our next trip to a nudist beach. All in all, we had a wonderful day and really got to know the pleasures of being able sunbathe, swim and to wander freely in the sea breaze with nothing on but sun tan lotion and a smile.
Trip Report - September 1998
"If going to the nude beach by foot from Strete you need to walk out
of Strete towards Slapton on the main road until you reach a footpath
going down to the beach. About half a mile? The path is at the end of a
small layby on the left hand side of the road which can take, maybe, four
cars. Walk down the footpath until you get to the Strete Gate car
park/toilets, then down the steps to a path running along the back of the
beach. Walk back (North) along this path until you reach some winding gear
used for dragging boats up the beach. From this point onwards the beach is
CO, although there is coexistence at this point.
We were warned by some of the regulars against walking right to the very
far (Pilchard Cove) end of the beach as it can be inhabited by
undersirables (male, but exact nature of undersirability was unspecified).
We never felt the need to go that far - 100 m after the winding gear were
couples, families (like us) and even the occasional unaccompanied female.
If you're going to be walking there from Strete village be warned that the
first part of the walk is along a narrow coastal road with passing places
for cars but no pedestrian footway.
Have a great time - we really enjoyed it and will go back again.
Pete & Alice."
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