Best Sunset Spots in Kingsbridge

Short answer: Kingsbridge sits at the head of an estuary rather than on the sea, so its evenings are about the light on the water at the quay. For a real sunset, Bigbury and Bolberry Down, twenty minutes away, face west and have the best in the South Hams.

An estuary evening

Kingsbridge sits at the head of its own estuary, and the evening is about the light on the water at the quay rather than a sun sinking into the sea. The Crabshell Inn on the quay, with seating on two levels looking up the estuary, is the place to sit.

The Crabshell sometimes runs DJ sunsets in summer.

Bigbury

Twenty minutes away, facing west — the best sunsets in the South Hams, with Burgh Island in front of you.

Bolberry Down

National Trust clifftop west towards Salcombe, with an open western sea horizon. The main path is wheelchair accessible, which is rare on this coast and useful in fading light.

Hope Cove

Also faces west, with The Cove bar and restaurant looking over it across two floors.

Arrive half an hour before sunset and stay twenty minutes after. The afterglow is usually better than the sunset itself, and most people leave the moment the sun touches the horizon.

Practical

• Take a torch — coast paths are unlit on the walk back.
• Stay back from cliff edges; you cannot see where the ground gives way in low light.
• It gets cold fast once the sun goes, even in summer.