Eastwards: A Guide From East Portlemouth to East Prawle

Last Updated on 26th September 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau

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Sandy beaches, windswept coastline, and no phone signal: the coastal stretch of the South Hams encompassing East Portlemouth and East Prawle is simply beautiful. A paradise away from the hustle and bustle of busy modern life, this area is the perfect way to escape for the day (or longer). Filled with quirky pubs, and plenty of coastal walks, here’s your complete guide to East Portlemouth and East Prawle!

East Portlemouth Beaches

South Devon is renowned for its beaches, with over 120 miles of coastline separated into 50 different beaches, all boasting golden plush sand and turquoise waters.

East Portlemouth overlooks the charming town of Salcombe (home to the oldest sweet shop in Devon) and is comprised of a set of small beaches, all tucked away in their own little coves. 

The coves respectively are known as Fishermans Cove, Smalls Cove, and Mill Bay are all located within minutes of one another and each feel secluded and hidden, offering a small escape spot from the rest of the world.

East Prawle Village

East Prawle is a tiny and charming remote village situated on Devon’s most southerly outcrop, just under half a mile from the turquoise waters of the sea. Complete with a pub, café, village shop, and central village green, it has all the modern day conveniences away from the rest of civilisation.

Pig’s Nose Pub

The Pig’s Nose is a traditional inn that has a history dating back over 300 years, and it’s just as quirky as you might expect from a pub with such a name.

The interior is richly decorated with an eclectic mix of trinkets and, of course, some pig-related knick-knacks. The warming and convivial atmosphere feels as though stepping into someones living room. And, just as you would hope from a Devon pub, they serve a range of real Devon ales and ciders, along with a hearty menu of delicious food.

Another reason to visit the Pig’s Nose is for its live music. The Publican here once owned a music hire company and catered to famous acts and bands including Bob Marley, BB King and even Frank Sinatra! It’s for this reason that there’s such a large emphasis placed on music and the pub hosts regular live music performances. You can find all up and coming events on the pub’s website.

Piglet Cafe

Immediately across from the pub, sitting squarely on the village green, you’ll find the Piglet Café. The cakes and baked goods are all homemade and fresh. But, what really sells the place is the ambience, as well as the hot drinks on offer.

If the weather is good (which seems to be the case fairly often in this part of the South Hams), you can enjoy your food and drinks on their outdoor seating. Alternatively, there is plenty of space inside. Also, furry friends are welcome both inside and out!

Prawle Point

If you carry on through the little village of East Prawle towards the coastline, around a mile along the road, you’ll hit a dead end. Here you’ll find a little car park with a path leading towards the most southerly point of Devon. The walk will take around 10 minutes before you reach Prawle Point.

This point of the headland looks out towards the sea, which is often shades of azure blue and turquoise, making for fantastic photographs. It’s also a great place to enjoy a picnic or simply sit and soak up the sweeping vistas of the sea and beyond.

There’s also a small visitors centre which usually opens between 9 am – 5 pm, a little later come summer, but also sometimes not at all…it depends. The visitor centre offers interesting insight and information about the local area, its ecology and a brief history.

Elender Cove and Beach

Secluded, sandy and in its own little mini-bay, Elender Cove is everything you could want from a South Devon beach. This little-known gem is nestled in between two cliff heads, and thanks to its remote location along the coastline, you’ll often find yourself to be the only one here when visiting.

Elender Cove is characterised by its turquoise waters, which gently lap up on the plush golden sands, with the overhanging greenery of the surrounding cliff heads rolling down the landscape. Read our guide on how to visit Elender Cove and Beach here.

Coastal Path

There are countless coastal paths and routes to take in the area, one of the most popular being the South West Coast path from East Prawle to Salcombe. This moderate to challenging route is 6 miles long and can take up to 3 hours or so, but the views, fresh sea air and pure beauty of the landscape make it a truly rewarding hike.

What to wear: No matter what time of the year, it’s always worth wearing a good pair of walking shoes that you don’t mind getting a little muddy. In terms of clothing, weather dependant of course, but comfortable clothes with a rain jacket is typically best. It’s also worth noting there are no facilities along the way, so be sure to bring lots of water!

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