The ‘perfect’ hidden UK cove that only locals know about with crystal clear water
A HIDDEN UK cove that remains relatively unknown has been described as a “perfect” place to go for a swim.
Crowded beaches can become a bit overwhelming during the summer months, but there are quieter places to go for a more peaceful dip.
One of those is Sugary Cove in Dartmouth, Devon, described as a “remote, quiet beach of shingle and rocks” by Discover Dartmouth.
While the shingle and stone might put some off, fans of the cove continue to return because of its location and its clear blue seas.
Beachsearcher praised its “crystal turquoise water,” which they say “sparkles in the sun,” giving it a 9.5/10 rating.
They aren’t the only ones to head praise on the beach either, with Time Out describing it as “glorious”.
They wrote: We love Dartmouth, but sometimes peak tourist season can get a little too much.
“That’s easily solved; take a 20-minute walk from town to the secluded Sugary Cove, a glorious beach known only to the locals (and the more determined tourists) and accessed only by foot or boat.
“Traverse a beautiful track along the coastal path to a shingle beach where swimming is safe and dogs run free. Magic.”
Visitors have also been impressed with its secluded position and its gentle blue water.
One wrote on TripAdvisor: “Perfect little secret cove for swimming!
“It’s quite a walk down some steps to get there but it’s lovely and private.”
Another added: “A delightful cove that is well sheltered from three sides and is a lovely spot for a paddle or swim in fair conditions.”
Compared to other “lesser known” beaches, it’s even relatively undiscovered by people on Tiktok, with only a handful of users making videos about the cove.
One who did was Holly (@hollylou15_), who showed the walk to the beach, as well as some of the views along the way.
Her video titled Come for a walk to Dartmouth Castle and a swim at Sugary Cove Beach has been seen fewer than 1,000 times, showing that the swimming spot remains fairly obscure beyond locals.
Which is fortunate because Dartmouth itself is a very popular tourist destination, with one even comparing it to a Greek island earlier this year.
Tiktoker Lotte (@lotteboo3) explained exactly why people might like to visit the seaside town, instead of forking out for a trip to places like Mykonos or Santorini.
In her video, she said: “Would you like to know how to have the closest thing to a Mamma Mia summer in the UK?
“And before you say, ‘it’s nothing like it,’ I said the closest thing. Some people can’t travel abroad, so this video is for them.
“This is Dartmouth, one of my most favourite UK seaside locations.”
She showed Blackpool Sands beach, which is a blue flag beach and has crystal clear waters to swim in.
The Blackpool Sands website describes the beach as, “Nature’s golden beach, set in an unspoilt, sheltered bay, lapped by clear blue water and surrounded by magnificent evergreens and pines”.
However, unlike Sugary Cove, it’s much more popular with tourists, making it very busy during the summer months.
Tourists who do visit Sugary Cove can visit Dartmouth Castle, which is about 100 metres from the beach.
The castle is a historic fortress overlooking the River Dart estuary and across to Kingswear Castle on the other side.
England’s Coast explain that along the path that leads from the castle there are a few other coves to visit too, including Castle Cove, Deadmans Cove, and Ladies Cove.
Meanwhile, this amazing hidden beach can only be accessed via a tunnel.
And another beach in Devon offers visitors the chance to watch dolphins swim while having a curry.