There’s lots to explore when you visit Wembury and the surrounding areas. From water sports on the beach to rock-pooling with the family, there are plenty of adventures to be had. Take a look at what there is to discover when you visit the area.
Safety notice
Please note that there is no lifeguard stationed at Wembury.
Rock-pooling
Wembury is one of the best places in the country for a spot of rock-pooling. Get to the beach just before low tide and spend a few hours searching the pools and rocks for interesting sea creatures. You're likely to find limpets, anemones, shore crabs, pipe fish, sea scorpions, spiny star fish, Cornish sucker fish and edible crabs.
Seashore code
Remember to follow the seashore code and help keep Wembury a special place for you and for the wildlife that makes a home here.
Handle me with care: Poking or squeezing soft-bodied animals like sea anemones can harm them.
Buckets: Keep one animal at a time in your bucket and not for too long as sea creatures get stressed too.
No nets: Use a bucket and your hands to catch rock pool creatures rather than a net. Nets can rip seaweed off the rocks and animals like crabs can lose their legs and claws if they get tangled up in the net.
Don’t make me homeless: Only collect empty shells.
Put me back: Always replace animals, rocks and seaweed as you found them.
Hey, I’m down here: Watch where you walk, you can easily dislodge or crush small sea creatures.
I don’t like litter: Take your rubbish home, litter is a killer.
Look after yourself: Wembury is a wonderful place but be careful, the rocks can be slippery, the cliffs are high and the tides change quickly.
Big Blue Bag
If you're keen to get hands on with marine science and help us protect our oceans, why not give the Blig Blue Bag a try?
Available to borrow from Wembury Marine Centre, the Big Blue Bag gives you the chance to get out onto the coast, carry out your own marine surveys and contribute to real scientific research. You don’t need to be a scientist or have any previous experience, just bring your curiosity and a sense of adventure.
Inside the Big Blue Bag, you’ll find everything you need to carry out a range of simple surveys, investigating microplastics, coastal debris, sea surface temperature and seabirds. You can explore the shore, make observations, collect data and discover more about the amazing marine life and habitats right on your doorstep.
And your findings really do matter. Once you’ve completed your survey, you can upload your results directly to the Big Blue Bag app, adding your observations to a growing bank of information about our oceans and coastline from all around the UK. Prefer the traditional approach? You can record your results on the paper survey forms provided in the bag instead.
Who can take part?
The Big Blue Bag is perfect for families, individuals, environmental groups and schools. Whether you’re a budding marine biologist, a keen beachcomber or simply curious about the natural world, it’s a fun way to explore the coast while helping to collect valuable scientific information. You might be surprised by what you discover.
To book the Big Blue Bag out, email wembury@nationaltrust.org.uk or pop into the Wembury Marine Centre during opening hours and, if the bag is available, take it out for your own citizen science adventure.
To find out more about the Big Blue Bag and the different surveys you can take part in, visit the Big Blue Bag website.
Wembury Beach is a popular spot for surfing and kayaking. With a swell of up to 10 feet, it's fantastic for surfers of all abilities. You can also explore this part of the coast and the River Yealm by kayak. Please note though, that landing is not permitted on the Great Mewstone, as it's a nature reserve and home to a wide variety of seabirds.
Swimming and snorkelling
Take a bracing dip at Wembury Beach with views of the Great Mewstone. With its diverse marine environment there's plenty to see beneath the waves at Wembury, including dolphins, basking sharks and porpoises.
Wembury is home to a vast array of birdlife including some of the rarest and most threatened species in the UK, such as the cirl bunting. With so much to see it's a unique and unmissable experience for all birdwatchers.
The coastal grasslands are home to a range of wildlife including the common lizard, grasshopper, great green bush cricket, and the marbled white, grayling and dark green fritillary butterflies. Bloody-nosed beetles, oil beetles, weevils, mining and nomad bees have all been sighted in the area. Look carefully and you may spot the nest mounds of yellow meadow ants, food for the green woodpecker. Be wary of basking adders at Wembury and Wembury Point.
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Wembury Marine Centre
Wembury Marine Centre is located near the beach and is run by Devon Wildlife Trust. The area nearby is designated a Special Area of Conservation and a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area.
The Wembury Marine Conservation Area Advisory Group has worked in partnership with local stakeholders & the Wembury Community to develop a Code of Conduct for activities taking place within the Wembury Marine Conservation Area. To read the Code of Coduct, click here.
Places to explore around Wembury
Wembury Point
Wembury Point is the perfect site for a coastal walk with views of the entire bay and the Mewstone. A favourite spot for birdwatchers, Wembury Point is home to the rare cirl bunting, found only along this coastline.
River Yealm
Take the coast path eastwards and discover the wooded Yealm estuary. If you're feeling more adventurous, take the seasonal foot ferry across the river to the picturesque village of Noss Mayo.
Wembury Woods
Discover the perfect place for a relaxing and sheltered woodland walk at Wembury Woods. Look down upon the tranquil River Yealm and the peaceful villages of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers. Look out for deer tracks and vibrant bluebells in the spring.
You'll also find allotments here. The area of land was offered to local residents as a communal allotment in 2009. The site is managed by the Wembury Allotments Association with the National Trust providing advice.
Revelstoke Drive
The wide track along the coast from Noss Mayo to Stoke Point is part of a 9-mile circular carriage ride, called Revelstoke Drive. It makes an ideal track to follow – it's wide and flat and has uninterrupted views of the sea as it gently follows the contours of the cliffs.
Gunrow Signal Station
During the late 18th century, from 1793 onwards, Britain was continuously at war with post-revolution France and the Admiralty established a chain of signal stations to warn of approaching enemy fleets.
In south Devon these included stations at Mount Edgcumbe, Gunrow's Down, Scobbiscombe, West Soar and Prawle Point. The building here dates to the early 1900s, It has served as a coastguard lookout, a Second World War observation post and searchlight position, and a National Trust shop and café.
Discover Wembury
Find out how to get to Wembury, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
Discover the history of Wembury and the Great Mewstone. From holiday camp and inspiration for the famous Forsyte Saga, to a major naval gunnery school.
Discover the 890 miles of coastline in our care. Plan your next coastal adventure, whether you want to explore sandy beaches or rugged, windswept cliffs.
While canoeing and kayaking are great ways to experience nature and keep fit, they can be dangerous if you don't follow the guidelines. Learn how to stay safe with our advice and guidance.
Try out the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities children can enjoy by the sea, from paddling or swimming, to catching crabs and skimming stones.
The beaches and coast along the rugged Devon landscape are ideal for a day out with the family. Take a coastal walk in the fresh air or enjoy games on the beach.
