Bantham & the Avon Estuary

Bantham sits at the mouth of the River Avon and is arguably south Devon's most photogenic estuary scene: sandbars and turquoise channels curling out past the beach toward the humpbacked silhouette of Burgh Island and its art-deco hotel. It is privately owned by the Bantham Estate, which runs the paid, seasonally staffed car park and manages the beach, so be aware you are on private land above the tideline — the pragmatic approach is to take off from the foreshore below mean high water, which is Crown Estate, and to be discreet and courteous. The estuary channels at low tide are the star: launch low and follow the water as it braids across the sand. This is a renowned surf and swim beach, so keep well away from people in the water and choose a quiet early slot. Wind funnels up the estuary and swirls around the dunes. There is no FRZ nearby. Sand and dune paths underfoot. Low tide on a still evening, with the sun dropping behind Burgh Island, gives the most rewarding light and the fullest reveal of the sandbanks.