Location
United Kingdom
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September
About Scabbacombe Beach
Scabbacombe Sands is a small, secluded cove on the South West Coast Path between Kingswear and Brixham in south Devon, on National Trust land near the Coleton Fishacre garden. The National Trust itself describes the beach as very quiet and popular with naturists. It is a small sand-and-gravel cove, with pebbles at the top of the beach and sand nearer the water, plus rock pools to explore at low tide. There are no buildings, no road and no facilities, and the effort needed to get there, a walk of roughly a mile across fields with about 150 m of descent, keeps numbers low even in summer. Naturists and clothed walkers share the beach; there is no separate marked section, so most nude visitors simply settle in on the main cove. Swimming is good on calm days, and the coast path continues in both directions for anyone who wants to walk further.
Getting there
From Kingswear follow the lane toward Coleton Fishacre and turn down Scabbacombe Lane; the small National Trust Scabbacombe car park is on the right, south of Woodhuish Farm (satnav TQ6 0EF is approximate; a small donation has been requested). A public footpath and car-wide track lead through open fields about a mile to the beach, steep in places with around 150 m of descent, so the return climb is tiring. There is no public transport to the car park. Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
What visitors say
Visitors describe a pretty, quiet National Trust beach that rewards the walk, with sea views on the way down and few people at the bottom. The steep track back up is the most common complaint. Naturists report sharing the cove with walkers and swimmers without problems.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
There is no formal naturist designation, but the landowner, the National Trust, publicly describes the beach as popular with naturists (page checked 2026). British Naturism includes Scabbacombe in its beach list; no conflicts or enforcement were found.
Naturism at Scabbacombe Beach sits under United Kingdom's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: United Kingdom public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 50.3572, -3.5212
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions
Is Scabbacombe a naturist beach?
It is not officially designated, but the National Trust, which owns it, notes that it is popular with naturists and British Naturism lists it.
How long is the walk?
About a mile across fields from the National Trust car park, steep in places, so the climb back takes longer than the walk down.
Are there toilets or a café?
No. The nearest facilities are at Coleton Fishacre (National Trust, opening times vary) or in Kingswear and Brixham.
Is it sandy?
Pebbles at the top and sand near the waterline, with rock pools at low tide.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
Members’ reviews
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