Dartmouth, a picturesque town in Devon, has been hailed as the UK’s most beautiful destination. But one of its most popular beaches suffers from one problem.
Last year, Conde Nast Traveller named Blackpool Sands as England’s top beach and also recognised it as one of the best coastal destinations in the South West with the 2025 Seaside Awards. Despite its fantastic amenities, including shower facilities, clean toilets, a lovely waterfront restaurant, and a cosy wooden sauna, many still refer to this beach as “disappointing.”
Contrary to what its name implies, this breathtaking countryside-surrounded beach near Dartmouth contains absolutely no sand at all.
Branded a “misnomer” by visitors, the coastline is entirely composed of golden shingle, which has left hopeful tourists frustrated by its “unforgiving” texture beneath bare feet.
A swift glance at TripAdvisor reveals numerous holidaymakers feeling misled by the lack of sand, with endless reviews branding the beach as “disappointing” for not living up to its name.
One visitor commented: “What a misnomer! It is a shingle beach with tiny gritty stones, very close to Dartmouth. Flip-flops are NOT a good choice of footwear; instead, wear swimming shoes or trainers, as the grit gets between the soles of your feet and the shoe.”
Another added: “Don’t be fooled by the name it’s not sandy just shingles. We drove a long way to visit here and was so disappointed, the shingles were so sharp you couldn’t walk barefoot.”
According to Preply, 250 of the 1,153 Tripadvisor reviews were deemed disappointing.
The firm put together a shortlist of the nation’s top 20 most beloved and renowned beaches before examining which received the highest number of one, two, and three-star ratings.
Countless visitors who turned up at the beach expecting a day of playing on soft sand, only to find themselves grimacing on razor-sharp pebbles, earned the spot Devon’s “most disappointing” title.”
Many reviewers expressed shock at finding the beach was “so pebbly” yet admitted that despite the lack of sand, the coastline remained “really stunning.”
I first visited this sprawling beach in March and was mesmerised by its beauty.
The bay is vast and flanked by lush greenery on one side and a golden pebble-covered shore on the other, with rocky formations in places.
Thanks to the bay’s sheltered layout, the crystal-clear waters are ideal for swimming, whilst ease of access represents a major plus – unlike many of Devon’s finest coves, which require a dangerous trek down steep cliffs, Blackpool Sands remains easily accessible. Perhaps I’m biased, having grown up on the pebbly beaches of South-East England, but the stones are no bother if you’ve packed your flip-flops.
They’re part of what gives the beach its unique charm, a sentiment echoed by many happy visitors.
The soft pebbles create a beautiful contrast against the turquoise waters, and there’s a certain peace in listening to the rhythmic crash of waves over them. Let’s face it, it’s much easier to brush off pebbles than annoying grains of sand.
Realistic expectations are crucial for those planning a trip. If you’re dead set on building sandcastles, this might not be the beach for you.
However, if you’re after stunning views, crystal-clear waters, and a convenient yet naturally beautiful spot for a day at the seaside, Blackpool Sands ticks all the boxes.