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Mill Bay
Unspoilt, wild coastline with turquoise waters and access to golden beaches
Mill Bay car park, East Portlemouth, Devon, TQ8 8PU
Important notice
Please note that Mill Bay car park can fill up early and be prepared to find an alternative car park. Please be considerate to local people and allow access for agricultural and emergency vehicles at all times.
Opening times for 5 July 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
National Trust members park free (please display your membership card on your dashboard image side up). There is a charge for non-members of £6 from 1 Apr-30 Sep and £3 from 1 Oct-31 March. To pay, you can call PayByPhone on 0330 060 4037 or use the app using the location code 803515. Mill Bay car park can get very busy and is accessed by a narrow lane.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs on the beach must be kept on leads (please note that the beach is not National Trust). If walking on the coast path, please keep dogs under close control around cattle or on a lead around sheep.
- Toilet
Toilets are provided by South Hams District Council.
Undulating and uneven ground - steep in places. Disabled parking spaces. No steps onto beach. Accessible toilet.
- Accessible toilet
To the back of the toilet block there is an accessible toilet accessed via a concrete ramp.
- Designated parking
There are two spaces for Blue Badge holders. Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Steps/uneven terrain
- By road
A3121/A379 from Ivybridge to Kingsbridge, or A381 from Totnes to Kingsbridge. From there, take A379 towards Torcross and turn south at Frogmore to South Pool before following coast road to East Portlemouth. Carry on through village, along coast to car park at Mill Bay. N.B narrow lane with some passing places which can get busy at peak times.
Parking: Car park open Dawn to Dusk. Free to members. 1 April to 30 Sept £6 and 1 Oct to 31 March £3. On busy days this car park can be full from 10 am. The narrow lane to access the car park can get easily congested after this time and can present serious problems for residents and emergency vehicles. Please arrive early or later in the day to find a space. There is no more parking down the lane. The next nearest car park is at Gara Rock (not NT) or park in Salcombe and get the passenger ferry across.
Sat Nav: TQ8 8PU
- On foot
Mill Bay is on the South West Coast Path and can be accessed from Salcombe on foot via the East Portlemouth passenger ferry.
- By train
Ivybridge, 24 miles; Totnes 22 miles
- By bus
Tally Ho 164, Totnes to Kingsbridge (bus stop at Totnes train station); Stagecoach X64, Totnes to Kingsbridge, then Tally Ho 606, Kingsbridge to Salcombe. Then follow the directions by ferry.
- Cycling
See local cycle routes on the Sustrans website.
- By ferry
Take the East Portlemouth ferry from the ferry pier, Salcombe (Easter to end of Oct) or Whitestrand (Nov to Easter) to East Portlemouth. Please note there is a 5-10 minute walk from the ferry to Mill Bay either along the road or at low tide along the beach.
Planning your visit
PDF
Article
Visiting Mill Bay with your dog
Find out about visiting Mill Bay with your dog, from where you can and can’t take them, to the facilities available for dog owners. Mill Bay is a one pawprint rated place.
Highlights
Coast
Coastal circular walks that go through woodland, skirt field edges and drop down to hidden beaches. Please note that cattle graze along these sections.
Countryside
A wild and rugged peninsula of coastal grassland to explore in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Gara Rock lookout
Once a lookout to spot smugglers, Gara Point bothy has great ocean views to be enjoyed all year round.
Beaches
Predominantly sandy beaches at Mill Bay, Sunny Cove and Seacombe Sands accessed from the coast path.
Things to see and do
Article
Explore the coastline around Mill Bay
Find hidden coves, access to golden beaches and a coastline dotted with history between East Portlemouth and Start Point.
Top trails
Trail
Mill Bay walk
Leave the Salcombe crowds behind to explore woodland paths leading to quiet sandy coves. The path climbs to the old lookout at Gara Rock, before returning back over the fields.
Trail
Prawle Point walk
This walk is full of drama: heart thumping cliff-top climbs, with rocky raised beaches below. Look out for the sunken Demetrios below Signalhouse Point and don't miss the ancient boundary stones that dot the landscape.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Mill Bay
Here you will find access to sandy beaches and turquoise waters at Mill Bay, Sunny Cove and Seacombe Sands. Beyond, there's a wild and rugged peninsula to explore towards Devon's most southerly point at Prawle, with coastguard lookouts dotted along the cliffs commanding the best sea views.
After a wander along the coast you can treat yourself to a well-deserved lunch or cream tea at the Gara Rock restaurant.
Livestock may be grazing the cliff land, please keep dogs on a lead. If animals become curious and approach:
- Stay calm and do not run.
- Avoid getting between cows and calves.
- If walking with a dog let go of its lead and meet up with your dog further along the path.
- If animals are blocking the path, whistle, talk or clap which lets them know you are there and encourages them to move. If they are still blocking the way then it may be best to avoid passing them and find an alternative route.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Mill Bay.