HOLIDAY HOMES IN BRIXHAM

BEST BEACHES

• Breakwater Beach: shingle, Blue Flag and Seaside Award in 2025 (not on the 2026 lists), English Riviera Beach Standard Excellence
• St Mary's Bay: sand, secluded, below Berry Head
• Shoalstone Beach: next to the Shoalstone seawater pool
• Churston Cove: small cove west of the harbour, dogs welcome all year

DOGS ON THE BEACH: 2026 SEASON

Torbay Council's rules: dogs are banned from Breakwater Beach and Shoalstone Pool from 1 May to 30 September. Churston Cove, Elberry Cove, Fishcombe Cove, Shoalstone Beach and St Mary's Bay allow dogs all year. All Torbay beaches are open to dogs from 1 October to 30 April. Rules can change each year, so check the signs.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

• Walk: the Wildlife and Forts of Berry Head NNR loop is 1.6 miles; Sharkham Point and Berry Head is 5.8 miles; Brixham Breakwater is an easy 1.1 miles.
• Berry Head has Napoleonic forts and what is billed as the country's shortest yet highest lighthouse.
• Brixham fish market lands catch from over seventy boats; early-morning market tours include breakfast at Rockfish.
• A full-size replica of Drake's Golden Hind is moored in the harbour.
• Transport: the Western Lady ferry runs across the bay to Torquay; Paignton is the nearest railway station, 5.4 miles away on foot along the coast.
• Eat: The Guardhouse Café at Berry Head (dog-friendly), and harbourside pubs including the Sprat and Mackerel and the Rising Sun.

From local tourist information (torbay.gov.uk torbay.gov.uk torbay.gov.uk englishriviera.co.uk southwestcoastpath.org.uk keepbritaintidy.org), checked 22 October 2026.