SSSh! Secret Spots

02nd September 2022

There are so many beautiful places where you can enjoy the water across the South West. Maybe your favourite is a big deserted beach, or a tiny hidden cove? Or a picnic spot by a stream, or a walking trail by a lake? We’ve managed to persuade a few members of our team to reveal where they like to spend time enjoying the water. But don’t tell everyone, or they’ll all want to go!

Harry Robinson – Operational Management Graduate

My favourite spot is Kynance Cove in Cornwall. It’s a cove with beautiful clear blue water and a white sand beach which could be mistaken for the Caribbean! And it’s lovely to go swimming down there in the summer! 

Jamie MacAulay – Operational Management Graduate One of my favourite spots to enjoy in the South West is a coastal path walk from Sidmouth to Budleigh Salterton returning by Otterton. I love the spectacular views of the Jurassic Coast that you’re treated to on this route. The landscape changes when you reach the River Otter. As you walk along the bank you might be lucky enough to spot the reintroduced beaver who live in this nature reserve.

Otterton Mill is a great place to take a break and enjoy some lunch before looping back by Stantyway Road and climbing Peak Hill again on your way back to Sidmouth. Trust me, the climbing is worth it for the views!

Nancy Smith – Operational Management Graduate

My favourite place to enjoy the water is the River Exe Canal. It’s especially magical on a very early wintry morning, when I go rowing with the Exeter City Boat Club. I love it that I’m awake before the rest of the world, gliding along with the swans. Just being there as the sun comes up is beautiful, all year round. 

 

William Newman – Operational Management Graduate My favourite secret (or perhaps not so secret!) spot is Saunton Sands, which is a beautiful long sandy beach that can be found on the North Devon coastline. The beach is home to some of the best surfing conditions the UK has to offer, but even when conditions aren’t so great, it’s a fantastic place to go for a beach walk. I love surfing, swimming, paddleboarding, running, and watching the sun set!

There is a big car park located right by the beach, but this can fill up very quickly in the summer months, so be sure to arrive early! Also, if you have time, pay a visit to Croyde (about a 2-minute drive from Saunton Sands). There are a couple of restaurants/bars, which serve brilliant food – The Thatch does an incredible roast lunch!

 

Lucie Wright – Operational Management Graduate

I love Daymer Bay. It’s a large, sandy, secluded and easily accessible beach with a car park behind it and beautiful views of Padstow across the bay - especially if you walk up Brea Hill next to the beach. My favourite activity is paddleboarding. The water is shallow for a long way out which is good for novice swimmers to learn to paddle board or sea kayak (but be careful further out there can be a rip tide and a strong wind. 

There is also a 30-minute coastal walk around to the popular surf resort of Polzeath and nearby St Enodoc church which was once buried in the sand.