This ultra-secluded British beach features red sand, cliffs and breath-taking coastal views. The one catch? It can only be entered through a centuries-old tunnel
If you’re looking to enter this stunning British beach you’ll have to go through a secret tunnel first.
Ness Cove in Shaldon, near Exeter looks like it was dreamt up in a storybook: a secluded beach, tall red cliffs and a secreted entrance. As one of Devon’s best kept secrets, many don’t even notice it’s there until they stumble through the dark, hidden tunnel and are greeted by the stunning view.
Known as the Smugglers Tunnel, it was thought to have been used by smugglers transporting their goods from the boats to the village in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, little else is known about its origins. It appears as a small entrance built into the rocky wall and, once inside, the passage is dark and winding, lit only by a string of lights on the ceiling.
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Regardless, this special feature only adds to the beach’s draw. While England’s southwest is normally filled with day-trippers and tourists, particularly in the warmer months, Ness Cove offers a rare feeling of privacy.
The beach is further protected by the fact that it takes a bit of a walk to get there. There are 86 steps, with the tunnel taking around five minutes, and at the end you’re met by a steep drop (which means a tough trek back up).
However, the reward is an untouched, quiet beach, featuring soft red sand. The surrounding cliffs also keep it well-sheltered, meaning it’s often warmer than other spots around the coast.
Since the beach is so concealed, you’re also protected from the noise of traffic, leaving you to enjoy the view in relative peace. Although, it is important to note that if you want to use the toilet, you will have to head back through the tunnel.
One TripAdvisor reviewer described the cove as “a hidden gem”. They wrote: “The access to the cove is through a tunnel. I was a bit apprehensive to go there but it was well lit and easy enough although we were a bit out of breath climbing up about 86 steps.
“Once you come out of the tunnel you are greeted with a most beautiful secluded cove with fresh water streams running down from the cliff and gentle waves of the sea in front. Not windy as it is protected by the cliffs on three sides.”
Another reviewer remarked on how quiet it was. They said: “The five-minute walk through the tunnel itself is it’s very own experience, but absolutely worth it for the views at the end.
“The beach is hidden away between two cliffs, but a great place to visit and a lot quieter than the surrounding tourist beaches.”