6.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.1At the mouth of the Erme Estuary, Mothecombe is a sheltered sandy cove where a freshwater stream runs gently into the sea. Low tide opens up room for beach games, picnics and exploring the shoreline.
The appeal is the meeting of estuary, sea and a freshwater stream in a sheltered cove, reached by a gravel path through woodland. It offers a distinctly coastal visit without needing to make claims about facilities or activities beyond those confirmed by the estate.
Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapMothecombe, Plymouth PL8 1LB, Devon
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The experience
Take the woodland path from the beach car park to the cove. At low tide, make time for the wider sands; the estate also identifies beach games, picnics and paddleboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and bodyboarding as possible activities. Check conditions and current guidance before entering the water.
Things to do
Walk in through the woodland
Reach the beach on foot from the beach car park via the gravel woodland path described by the estate.
Check before visiting
Find the freshwater stream
Look for the stream that runs gently into the sea at the sheltered cove.
Make use of the low-tide sands
The estate notes that low tide leaves room for traditional beach games, picnics and sunbathing. Check tide times before visiting.
Consider a watersport
The estate names windsurfing, kitesurfing, bodyboarding and paddleboarding as activities for the shallow waters. This is not confirmation of hire, lessons or conditions on the day; check before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
The cove and the stream
- 01
Walk from the beach car park along the gravel woodland path to the beach.
- 02
Explore the sheltered cove and find where the freshwater stream runs into the sea.
- 03
If timing your visit for low tide, check tide information before you go.
Half day · Half day
A longer beach visit
- 01
Walk the gravel woodland path from the beach car park.
- 02
Settle in for a picnic or beach games when the tide leaves room on the sands.
- 03
Consider a water activity named by the estate, such as paddleboarding or bodyboarding, only after checking conditions and the relevant current guidance.
Hidden details
A stream meeting the sea — The estate describes a freshwater stream running into the sea at the cove—a small but distinctive feature to look for on arrival.
When to go
January · February · March · April · October · November · December · Plan around low tide for more room on the beach; check tide times before travelling.
The estate says the beach is open every day of the year. Dogs are excluded from 1 May to 30 September, and bathing-water testing takes place from 15 May to 30 September.
Check tide information and any bathing-water advice displayed in the car park. The estate says the Environment Agency gives Mothecombe Beach a Good rating during the bathing season; this is not a guarantee of conditions on a particular day.
What to look for
Notice where the freshwater stream runs into the sea, and how the sheltered cove sits at the mouth of the Erme Estuary. At low tide, look for the changing shape and extent of the exposed sands.
Best time to go
Year-round; check tide conditions before setting out. Dogs are not permitted from 1 May to 30 September.
Low tide reveals more room on the beach. Check tide times before visiting; during bathing season, follow any Environment Agency advice displayed in the car park.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Flete Estate says the beach is open to the public every day of the year. Access is on foot from the beach car park via a gravel woodland path, which it says is suitable for prams. Check current access and any notices before travelling.
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Parking
A beach car park is referenced by the Flete Estate; details, charges and capacity are not specified. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Dogs are not permitted between 1 May and 30 September, according to the Flete Estate. Check current rules before visiting.
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Accessibility
The estate describes the gravel woodland path from the beach car park as suitable for prams. This does not establish step-free or wheelchair access; check before visiting if access requirements are important.
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Cost
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Water
Sea, Estuary, Stream
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Mothecombe Beach
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
