Wembury: Your Complete Family Guide to Devon’s Hidden Gem

Wembury Beach in South Devon is a great choice for families who love exploring rockpools, spotting marine life and spending unhurried time by the sea. The beach is a mix of sand, shingle and rock, and low tide opens up far more to explore. Check the tide before you leave, pack shoes with good grip and allow for the steps down to the beach, especially if you're bringing a pushchair. This guide covers what you'll find, where to look and how to plan your day.

What is Wembury Beach like for families?

Wembury is a mix of sand, shingle and rocky areas that get easier to explore as the water goes out. If your family is after a wide, flat beach for sunbathing and enormous sandcastles, Wembury may not be quite what you're hoping for. If lifting a stone to see what lives underneath sounds like a good afternoon, there's plenty here to keep you busy.

The beach looks out towards the Great Mewstone, a small island just offshore, and the South West Coast Path runs along the cliffs if older children and adults fancy a longer outing. One child might spend ages crouched over a single rockpool while another would rather paddle at the water's edge with you. Let the tide and the weather decide how long you stay.

For more seaside days out, see our guide to the best beaches near Flear.

When is the best time to visit for rockpooling?

Low tide is the best time for rockpooling at Wembury. As the sea goes out, it uncovers pools, rock platforms and more of the sand. At high tide there's much less beach to explore and the rocks are harder to get around.

Low tide changes every day, so check tide times for the date of your visit before you head out. Plan your meals and travel around a comfortable window, and leave enough time to get back off the rocks while the tide is still out.

If you'd like to avoid the busiest part of the day, try arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Rockpooling at Wembury with kids

At low tide, the main beach has plenty of shallow pools dotted around, which are perfect for little ones with buckets. The rocky foreshore to the east and west of the beach, heading towards the coast path, has larger rock platforms and often more interesting finds for older children.

What can you spot?

Why not make a sea life checklist before you go? Look out for:

• shore crabs
• hermit crabs
• anemones
• limpets
• shrimps
• gobies
• blennies
• small starfish

For younger children, choose one small area to investigate together. Give them time to notice a limpet clamped to a rock or a crab slipping into a crevice. Ask them what starts to move when they stand still and watch the water for a minute.

Rockpooling tips

• Wear beach shoes with good grip, as wet rocks can be very slippery.
• Bring buckets and nets, but use them gently.
• Lift rocks slowly and put them back exactly as you found them.

How to explore the rockpools without disturbing wildlife

Wembury's rockpools are home to living creatures, so a gentle approach matters. Follow the Seashore Code: tread carefully, watch animals where you find them, avoid taking anything away from the shore and put any rock you lift carefully back in the same position. Leave each pool as you found it and take your litter home.

Wembury Marine Centre, run by Devon Wildlife Trust, sits right by the beach and has displays that help children identify what they've seen. It also runs regular events, so check the Marine Centre's programme if you'd like to join a guided rockpool ramble.

Getting there and parking

The closest place to park is the National Trust car park at Wembury Beach. National Trust members park free, and non-members can pay at the machines or through the JustPark app. Charges vary through the year, so check the National Trust's Wembury page for the latest prices before you go.

If the beach car park is full, you can use Wembury Car Park or look for roadside parking along the road down to the beach.

Facilities: toilets, café and what's nearby

You'll find toilets near the beach, though at the moment they can only be reached by steps. There's an accessible toilet in the Marine Centre when it's open. The Old Mill Café serves hot drinks, light meals and treats, and there's a beach shop for essentials in the busier months. Up in the village, Wembury's village shop has a Post Office inside.

Opening times can change, so it's worth bringing water and snacks for young children just in case.

Beach access

From the National Trust car park, you'll head down a ramp and then a series of large, steep steps with a handrail on one side. The beach itself is uneven, so a baby carrier may be easier than a pushchair for the last stretch. If anyone in your group needs step-free access, there's a level circular walk at Wembury Point, and the National Trust has current access information on its website.

Nearby on a rainy day

If the weather turns, the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is a short drive away and makes a good follow-on from a morning in the rockpools.

Swimming and water safety

Wembury is a natural beach with no lifeguards, and the depth of the water changes quickly with the tide. Read the safety signs at the entrance, check the tide and weather, and stay close to children at the water's edge. The National Trust has more advice on swimming at Wembury, including taking care around currents.

If your family wants a swim, stay near the shore, avoid deep water and judge conditions on the day. Calm-looking water isn't always safe. When you're rockpooling, keep an eye on where the sea has reached and turn back before the incoming tide cuts off your route.

Walks from Wembury

If you have walkers in the family, the coast path from Wembury is well worth your time. The Wembury to Heybrook Bay walk is 3 miles, with some steps and climbs along the way, and rewards you with panoramic views across Plymouth Sound.

For more ideas closer to home, have a look at our local walks near Flear.

Can you take a dog to Wembury Beach?

Wembury is dog-friendly from 1 October to 30 April. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach from 1 May to 30 September, but they're welcome on the surrounding countryside walks all year. Keep them under close control around wildlife and livestock, and follow any signs about leads. In summer, a coast path walk is a good way to include your dog in the day.

What to pack for a day at Wembury

• beach shoes with good grip
• spare clothes and swimwear
• hooded towels
• buckets and nets
• a small first aid kit
• suncream
• a picnic and plenty of water
• a flask of hot chocolate for cooler days

Make Wembury part of a stay at Flear Farm

Flear Farm Cottages in East Allington makes a relaxed base for exploring South Devon's coast. Plan your beach days around the tides, then come back to your own cottage and settle in for the evening. If the weather changes, our heated indoor pool and giant play barn give the whole family plenty to do together.

Choose from 12 luxury self-catering cottages sleeping from 2 to 9 people, or Flear House for larger groups. Explore our family cottages to find the right fit for your group, then check availability when you're ready to plan your South Devon break.