Devon's Best Swimming Spots

Bovey Castle

If you’d rather not expose yourself to the elements, Bovey Castle has a beautiful Art Deco indoor pool with far-reaching views of the estate and Dartmoor beyond. In summer, there are sun loungers on the sunny terrace.

Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool

Don’t be put off by its location behind the town’s car park. Behind the walls of Moreton Pool is a peaceful 25m, community-run outdoor pool that’s the perfect place for cooling off on summer days. Heated by air source heat pumps and solar power, you can swim comfortably even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds. There’s a small grassy area for sunbathing. Leave before 3pm on sunny days if you want to avoid hordes of schoolchildren.

Chagford Swimming Pool

Just a ten-minute drive from North Bovey, Chagford Pool can't be far from heaven. Swallows nest in the changing rooms and dive-bomb the swimmers, and with the sound of the river Teign running past stepping stones, it's as relaxed as a swimming pool gets. Its river fed and heated with air source heat pumps that are supplemented by solar panels, so is a balmy 26c.

The Dart at Spitchwick

The leafy setting, the clean water (that brown colour is healthy peat) and the sheer fun of Spitchwick justifies its popularity. There’s a gorgeous swimming and picnic spot with a high corner pool, a deep, tranquil lower corner pool for serious swimmers; and a cliff for daredevil jumpers. It can get busy on a hot day as families gather to picnic on the common, and parking can be a problem - get there early for a space, or walk the half-mile from the car park at New Bridge. Peaty water, clean from the mountain, this is the most popular and accessible Dart swimming location, especially in summer. Also known as Deeper Marsh, it has been a bathing place for generations. Grassy flats lead to rocky river shore, deeper on far side with high cliff behind.

Salmon Leap, Fingle Gorge

This deep pool in Fingle Gorge is bliss in summer. The Teign cascades into three Victorian square stone plunge pools, each about 1m deep and smooth-lined, so great for a pummelling massage! Park by the humpback bridge just after Mill End hotel and walk up to the Iron Bridge, where there’s a beach area and rocks for picnicking on.

Blackpool Sands

You’re spoilt for choice for places to swim on Devon’s south coast, but our favourite is Blackpool Sands for its beautiful position, fantastic beach cafe, safe currents and summer-round lifeguards.

RELATED ARTICLES

Devon's Most Beautiful Beaches

Fringed with sugar-white sandy beaches on both coasts, you’re spoilt for choice for a place to lay your towel in Devon. We round up Devon’s best beaches.

We reveal our favourite secret beaches and hidden coves to our guests when they book!

🏆 South Milton/Thurlestone Sands

Combining a stunning sandy beach, dramatic sea arch and a gorgeous little beach shack serving some of the best fish on the south coast, South Milton Sands, near Salcombe is nothing short of heaven. Set right on the South West Coastal Path, it’s the perfect pitstop for a long coastal walk. Dining is on rustic communal wooden tables, or outside on the terrace overlooking the sea. Park in the National Trust carpark.

🏆 Blackpool Sands

Backed by wooded cliffs, this mile-long, privately owned sweep of shingle has one of the most dramatic settings in Devon, with Instagrammable views from the lay-by on the road at the top of the hill. There’s a wonderful beach cafe serving organic, local produce. By day, swimmers can practise their dives from a floating dock, and the beach café stays open beyond sunset. Avoid in the school holidays.

Bantham Beach

Wetsuits outnumber bikinis on south Devon’s only surf beach. Look out for stand-up paddle surfers, a quirky new take on the sport.

Woolacombe

Blackpool Sands, South Devon

Slapton Sands

More than 600 US servicemen were killed on this three-mile stretch of shingle when German E-boats attacked their D-day rehearsals. A Sherman tank on the sand commemorates them.

Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe

Accessed via hand-cut tunnels, this Victorian rock pool is a tranquil swimming spot on the otherwise choppy north coast.

Croyde Bay

Devon’s most famous surf destination and a lively beach-volleyball spot, by pretty Croyde village, attracts youngsters in their thousands each summer.

Braunton Burrows

A Unesco Biosphere Reserve, this beach has 1,500 acres of dunes to play, hide or snooze in.

Woolacombe

An epic, three-mile swathe of sand, which has oodles of space for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers – as well as a Blue Flag.