Bantham Beach
Devon, England
A jewel of the South Hams — a sheltered sandy beach at the mouth of the River Avon estuary, with the combination of tidal river and sea creating especially rich, firm, cohesive sand.
A jewel of the South Hams — a sheltered sandy beach at the mouth of the River Avon estuary, with the combination of tidal river and sea creating especially rich, firm, cohesive sand. The sheltered position means wind is rarely an issue, and the river provides a natural water source for moats and channels. The sand here is some of the firmest and most workable in Devon, making it particularly good for ambitious tunnel and den projects.
Best Seasons
Beach Type
Fine silty sand mixed with river sediment — firm and cohesive
Tides
River and tidal flow combine. The beach changes dramatically with the tide — the estuary area at low tide offers the most workable digging conditions.
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At a Glance
| Nearest town | Kingsbridge |
|---|---|
| Region | Devon, England |
| Family rating | |
| Facilities | Parking, Toilets, Café |
Recommended Holes
Dig Guides for Bantham Beach
Tailored advice for every hole type on a Estuary Beach.
Castle Moat
The classic — a sandcastle's best friend
Treasure Hole
Dig deep, hide well, find glory
Sand Pool
Build your own private paddling pool
Tunnel
The engineering challenge — meet in the middle
Volcano
Pour water in, watch it erupt
Channel and Dam
Control the water — redirect the sea
Den or Foxhole
Excavate a hideout and disappear
Buried Alive
The timeless classic — bury a sibling
Spiral Vortex Pool
Dig a spiral, fill it with water, and watch it swirl
Fossil Dig Pit
Bury it, map it, and excavate it like a real palaeontologist
Sea Wall
Build a defence and see how long you can hold back the tide
Igloo Den
A carved dome hideout, built up rather than dug down
Time Capsule Hole
Bury a message, a memory, or a wish — and dig it up another day