Short answer: Kingsbridge has the easiest parking in the South Hams — a long-stay car park right by the quay. Slapton Ley twenty minutes away has bird hides, which means shelter if 1 January turns wet.
The largest freshwater lake in the south west, with bird hides and waterside paths, twenty minutes away. Hides have roofs, which makes this one of the few outdoor things on this coast that works whatever the weather does. Free parking at the memorial car park.
Level, with the estuary alongside. It empties to mud twice a day, so the view depends when you come.
The southern end of Slapton Sands — a steep shingle beach with the Ley behind it, and properly dramatic in a winter sea.
Slapton Sands is the open water here — shingle, steep, and fully exposed. Torcross is where people gather. The Ley itself is a nature reserve, not a swimming lake.
Almost everywhere opens later than usual on New Year's Day, and some places do not open at all. Ring in the morning rather than assuming.
Start Point is three-quarters of a mile down an open tarmac track with no shelter either way. Spectacular, but not a 1 January walk if the wind is up.
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