Wonwell
Situated at the mouth of the River Erme, south of Ivybridge on the South Devon coast lie the three sandy beaches of Mothecombe Meadowsfoot, Mothecombe Coastguards and Wonwell.
Southwest-facing the beach lies approximately halfway between Plymouth and the Salcombe Estuary.
Also known as Kingston Beach, Wonwell is a large flat sandy expanse on the eastern bank of the Erme. The beach consists of fine golden sand and is accessed either from the Coast Path or from the village of Kingston about a mile away to the northeast. Roadside parking is extremely limited and is best not attempted at the height of summer.
It is possible to ford the river by wading across from Wonwell slipway to the slipway on Coastguard's beach. This is usually possible no more than ONE HOUR either side of low tide. Care should be taken as heavy rains or seas can make the crossing dangerous. Be sure to know the state of the tide before venturing too far.
Unlike nearby Meadowsfoot, the beach is open every day.
The Erme Estuary lies within South Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), and is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). It supports significant wildlife populations that are easiily disturbed. Dogs are allowed all year round at Wonwell Beach.
Refreshments are available at the pretty 16th Century 'Dolphin Inn' in Kingston. All other facilities are available in the village.
Facilities
✔ Flora and Fauna
✔ Sandy beach
✔ Dogs permitted
OS Explorer Map OL20: South Devon
This map is part of the Ordnance Survey's Explorer series designed to replace the old Pathfinder map series. At 1:25,000 scale this detailed map shows a host of attractions including gardens which are open to the public, nature reserves and country parks as well as all official footpaths, bridleways, roads and lanes. Other facilities covered include: camping and caravan sites, picnic areas and viewpoints, selected places of interest, rights of way information for England and Wales, National Trail and Recreational Path routes, and selected tourist information. The series is aimed mainly at the experienced map user but can be used by tourists and locals alike.
Local area
Holiday Parks
Stay at a nearby Holiday Park and keep the kids amused all day! Parks in the vicinity include those at:
Hotels
Plenty of hotels are available locally. Consider those in the local towns:
Kingsbridge
Salcombe
Caravans
In the vicinity is a choice of camping and caravan sites offering high quality, affordable holiday accommodation. Consider camps in Kingsbridge, Dartmoor, Brixham and Paignton.
