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General
Located between Downderry and Whitsand Bay, west of the Tamar estuary.
Access & Parking
Approach via the A374 - either from Torpoint and the ferry from Plymouth,
or from Trerulefoot on the A38, then west on the A387 toward Looe. Turn
left on to the B3247 south toward Seaton and Downderry. There is limited
parking on the road to the east of Downderry, or a small car park in the
village. In either case please do not park where you might cause an
obstruction or otherwise upset local residents.
Access on foot is from the road along the clifftop [B3247] , the footpath crossing fields to reach the path which descends the cliff - making it suitable only for those with good mobility. [see also Trip Report, below]
Walking along the beach from Downderry itself is possible, but PLEASE NOTE: great care should be taken to check the tides before so doing. It can be very easy to get cut off by the rising tide if you are the wrong side of one the numerous rocky outcrops along this beach.
Description
Downderry is variously described as a sandy beach, or consisting of "pebbles
and gritty sand" . The numerous rocky outcrops provide good
screening, making for seclusion and a beach "ideal for naturism".
Warnings about being cut off by the tide also apply once you actually
reach the beach - caution is required.
Facilities
There is a small shop in the villiage for last-minute provisions.
Trip Report: August 2005
"I'd like to say that this beach is quite popular for people who like to get an all over tan. Most are single men and one or two couples, aged from their early thirties to sixties. However, the beach doesn't look as nice as those beaches with golden sands. I would recommend that you wear flip-flops or sandals as this beach is pebbly. The sand can also get quite hot as well, particularly when the sun is strong! The main beach is beyond a group of rocks but you must check tide times as you could be cut off. The first part of the beach is more textile than the main beach. There are a small group of rocks you have to climb, then there is the rocks "very cliff like" to get onto the main beach. This is where you could get cut off - take care!"
Trip Report: August 2005
"After years of use I was horrified to see homosexual "activity" openly on the beach which had couples and some children not so far away. Fortunately only on one day.
Please note that the way down from the Coastal Path (now fenced off from from parking area on Seaton to Crafthole Road) has deteriorated somewhat with helpful(?) people putting out ropes at some points. To ascend from beach - four fifths of way to Long John rock from town beach - you need to use the rope to get up 15 foot of loose sand and grit."
Trip Report: May 2002
"It might be easier to point out that you should go back up the hill
(out of the village) after parking. Right on the bend, go through the gap
in the hedge, you can now go straight down or walk farther on and there is
another way down if you keep your eyes open. The main point is that the
sea is easy to find as it's in sight all the time but when you get to the
bottom go left. Your description makes it seem like one beach, it's not.
The first small shingly bay is mainly for clothed families. The second is
more sandy and more for naturists. The third bay (still not a great
distance - an easy walk) is paradise, huge expanse of sand, not many
people, but yes some of them (sorry, males) are there for more than a nice
tan. The point about the tides is right though - to get to this paradise
you may have to wade around the rocks with your gear wrapped in a bin bag
or something tougher, depending on the tide of course. It's all worth it,
I can't wait to go back."
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