Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Slapton Sands

Devon (south coast)

Near Dartmouth. Access via 1/3 mile walk along fine grit beach backed by cliffs. Signs say used by naturists.

Official naturist beach

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 naturists now use the nearer, north section of Slapton Sands.

Getting There

Satnav: TQ6 0RR

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 are a few feree places, and a car park on the left (2021: £0.80-1.10/hour, £6.50 all day) with toilets and access to the beach. Once on the beach walk northeast (left) for about a third of a mile to reach the nude section. NB: There is no parking on the long sea front road ... otherwise you might not use the council's car park :).

"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."

Description

The name Slapton 'Sands' is a little 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."

Camping

Naturist-friendly camping is available at Manor Farm, Strete. Tents and tourers welcome.
For details see the Manor Farm website

"...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."

Map

Comments

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Steve Sargent

21-Jun-20

June 2021 - the situation is much improved. As you leave Strete Gate car park, the toilets (clean, free) are immedately opposite, at the edge of the beach. A sign makes it clear that naturism is to be expected anywhere to the left (i.e. North-East) of the toilet block. There is a beach cafe (trailer) a few yards south of this point, too. Although technically a stony beach, the stones are like a well-rounded fine grit, not far from being cl
UK Naturist Beaches

13-Jun-20

Haven't been there for years but did notice the beginnings of dog mess. Took my wife [ ... some letching men .. ]
Howard Munnings

Jul-20

visted beach regually,weve always had a nice time but how ever the people with dogs meant to be dog carers (ha ha) let there dogs foul the beach and not picking it up, also they do not have fresh water for the dogs to drink, the beach is becoming very dirty and smelly as you walk to the naturist side of the beach,
Pretom Chakraborty

Jul-20

i m writing this from the beach itself.It's a nice long beach,if you look hard enough you may find a place ot park your car here and there for free.South side is family beach and North side is Naturist beach,it's not a sandy beach so it's hard to walk all the way down to naturist site as the small pebbles are very unstable.Water is clear blue and always penetrating the shore with strong current.the water is much clean and clearer than Croyed side.You may find some harmless jellyfish as big as your car tire.
Louxsie

Aug-20

Had my first ever experience on a CO beach at Slapton/Strete Gate on 14.07.11 - 6 whole hours of lazing in stifling sunshine with just the sound of the waves and the birds, bliss!
I was surprised at how many people were down there but hey, it was the only hot day of my week's holiday and it's a beautiful spot to be. Found it nice and easily - that winding gear is good and distinctive - and settled myself amongst mostly couples as I thought I'd be less conspicuous there and was wary of getting any hassle, being there as a single female. Happy to report nothing of the kind, had a wonderful day and felt entirely safe, though the boat trip coming right into the bay and stopping there to gawp was a bit unsettling, and there seemed to be a lot of male 'flaneurs' going up and down, but maybe that's normal and nobody bothered me so I didn't mind! A beautiful day, fondly remembered.
mark

Jul-20

Nice beach; but the downside - the parking charges.
I would recommend sandals/flipflops, as this beach can get very hot sand and very sore soles of the bare feet! - Who said that naturism is dangerous? Some protection is required (feet). Would visit again soon, [redacted]
plymouth_chap

Jul-20

Visited Slapton this morning for a couple of hours. The beach was surprisingly busy for a midweek - lots of couples and the occasional single, both male and female. Lovely relaxing day had. I've been visiting this beach for many years and have never come across any trouble at all - though admittedly I never venture towards the back of the beach or the very eastern end. Everyone keeps themselves to themselves and the location is beautiful and tranquil.

Photos

Tag and share your photos to the UK Naturist Beaches group on Flickr.

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IMG_20210614_150109_edit_123395901940545

hdrpl

Jun-21 • montalivet88 on Flickr

nuffslaptonsands 51260408236

Slapton Sands

South Hams, Devon, England

Sep-20 • chrisinplymouth on Flickr

beach sea seaside sand gravel slaptonsands devon england uk plain southhams nuffslaptonsands camminante 50741482466

on the beach

Slapton Sands, Devon, England

Sep-20 • chrisinplymouth on Flickr

beach rocks cliff stone slaptonsands strete southhams devon england seaside uk plain camminante nuffbeach nuffslaptonsands 51034274653

shady spot

Slapton Sands, Devon, England

Sep-20 • chrisinplymouth on Flickr

cliff stone rock outcrop beach sand slate strata slaptonsands southhams seaside sea devon england uk cameo wideangle inexplore explored scout nuffslaptonsands explore 51137120368

blue horizon

Slapton Sands, Devon, England

Sep-20 • chrisinplymouth on Flickr

sea sand beach sky horizon slaptonsands southhams devon england trait uk wideangle scout inexplore explored nuffslaptonsands nuffbeach explore camminante 52254245442

be aware

Slapton Sands, Devon, England

Sep-20 • chrisinplymouth on Flickr

sea beach sign square seaside devon naturism naturist slapton slaptonsands uk england toilets southhams cw69sq trait camminante nuffslaptonsands topx 50889197153

untitled

Slapton Sands, Devon, England

Sep-20 • chrisinplymouth on Flickr

beach rocks seaside devon england southhams sea diagonal square monochrome cw69sq trait camminante angle slaptonsands nuffbeach nuffslaptonsands 51173962653

Slapton sands ,naturist beach

Jul-15 • c.art on Flickr

blue sea summer sky cloud sun seascape hot beach water weather clouds nude bay coast outdoor sunny devon naturist serene dartmouth slapton sunnyday torcross southhams nudebeach clothingoptional southdevon slaptonsands naturistbeach stokefleming thisengland uknaturist devonsouthhams nuffslaptonsands nuffbeach devonnaturist clothesfreebeaches 27102419814

Slapton Sands,Naturist beach Devon

Jul-14 • c.art on Flickr

summer sky beach devon dartmouth slapton stormsky torcross southhams nudebeach southdevon slaptonsands naturistbeach stokefleming devonbeach nuffslaptonsands nuffbeach 16029074598