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The Teenagers Guide to South Devon

If, like us, you have a family of pre-teens or teenagers you’ll know that it can be a challenge to keep everyone entertained on a family holiday or short break.

Teens are never too old to spend time with the family and a family holiday to South Devon is a place where teens can escape social pressures, where exams and school work can temporarily be forgotten, and where new experiences can give them an opportunity to reconnect with their inner child and play again.

It probably goes without saying that teenagers need good  WiFi while they are away, which can be a challenge in rural areas. All our cottages at Beeson Farm have great broadband so your teen can be connected, talk to their friends and post on their socials. However, in South Devon there are also plenty of things to do that will keep teens off their phones and active outside.

As well as a selection of board games in the cottages we have a games room with table tennis and table football, as well as a badminton net and football goal to keep them entertained after a day out at the beach.

Here are our tried and tested local recommendations by our teens (age 12, 15 and 16)  of things to do  while enjoying family time together at Beeson Farm.

Be in or on the water!

Our teenagers love nothing more than being in or on the water all year round. The local beaches are excellent for swimming, snorkelling and body boarding…all free family fun, apart from buying the ice creams and cold drinks!

 

 

Salcombe watersports

Salcombe watersports is a family run business who provide unforgettable watersports experiences in the stunning salcombe harbour. Either hire a SUP, kayak, or book a lesson. We booked their giant SUP for 7 of our family (aged 12-22) and had an amazing time making memories together.

Surf lessons

Bantham Surf Academy offers lessons and courses for all skill levels, even absolute beginners,  A great opportunity to learn a new skill, catch some waves and grow in confidence against the beautiful backdrop of Bantham beach.

Outside Devon  

Outside Devon is a relatively new multi use space near Kingsbridge and Bantham. Cafe with cool vibes, a skate bowl and ceramics studio this is a perfect stop off on the way back from the beach, or check out their programme of workshops and events.

Salcombe Sea and Shore Rib tours

Salcombe Sea and Shore offer skippered RIB rides from salcombe and is a high octane and memorable way of seeing our beautiful coastline.

Coasteering

Salcombe is a great place for coasteering, exploring hidden caves, channels and beaches- with plenty of  jumping!

Tunes on the Sands

Tunes on the Sands is a 3 day music festival set on the beautiful beach at Blackpool Sands near Dartmouth, Sam Ryder is headlining this year on the 22nd July, along with Stereo MCs, this is a family festival suitable for all ages.

Watch the seals

Head to Start Point for some seal watching, or a swim at Mattiscombe Sands where seals often pop up to say hello, a truly breathtaking and memorable experience no matter how old you are.

 

We hope these give you some ideas of things to do with your tweens and teens.  A holiday at Beeson Farm is a great base for making some family memories together and we look forward to welcoming you!

South Devon Beach Guide

South Devon is unique as it combines expanses of rolling green countryside, quaint villages, waterfront towns and picturesque beaches offering visitors a taste of the best the UK has to offer!

Taking your dog on holiday with you is one of the benefits of holidaying in the UK and relaxing on the beach is a perfect day out for all the family!   Here is our showcase of the best beaches in South Devon where your dog is welcome too…

Beesands: Our local mile long shingle beach with award winning pub and seafood cafe, watch the fishing boats come and go in the shelter of Start Bay, and its lighthouse. Everything you need for a day out! 2 mins drive from Beeson, 0.7 miles

Slapton Sands: A golden arch of shingle beach that stretches 3 miles along the coastline and is bordered by a National Nature Reserve. Pubs and eateries at Torcross plus good parking.  8 mins drive from Beeson, 3 miles

Mattiscombe: More challenging to access (walking only) but serene, unspoilt and with a good chance of seal spotting. 11 mins drive from Beeson 3.4 miles

Gara Rock beach: Seacombe sands is an unspoilt sandy cove nestled under the Gara Rock hotel, which is perfect for a lunch stop with the most spectacular views, 14 mins drive from Beeson, 5.8 miles

Mill Bay East Portlemouth: A privately owned beach open to the public with National Trust Car Park. Beautiful sandy beach with stream, woodland and clifftop walks opposite Salcombe. 14 mins drive from Beeson, 5.9 miles

 

Blackpool Sands: One of South DEvons most popular beaches, with cafe, watersports hire and sheltered swimming. Dog friendly throughout the winter. 18 mins from Beeson, 7.8 miles

South Milton: A National Trust sandy beach looking over the iconic Thurlestone Rock that all the family will love- even the dog! Food available at the beachhouse. 25 mins from Beeson 9.6 miles

Bantham: Golden sands, rolling dunes, surf school and a great selection of food from the gastrobus in the carpark. 30 mins from Beeson, 11.9 miles

North and South Sands Salcombe: Only a few minutes from Salcombe town centre, sandy beaches that are perfect for traditional family fun  and with places to eat. 25 mins drive from Beeson, 12.7 miles

Bigbury on Sea: A family friendly beach with surf school and vast expanses of golden sand. Walk over to Burgh Island at low tide for a drink at the Pilchard Inn (or use the sea tractor if the tide is in!) 41 mins from Beeson, 15 miles (dog restrictions apply)