12 May 2012 – Trip: South Milton Sands (NT)

Synopsis: The weather was glorious, so Mum and I threw the tea making equipment in the car, purchased sandwiches at the supermarket, and headed for the beach. First beach picnic of the new season.

Photo Set – Flickr

 

South Milton Sands is a place I’d previously come across whilst walking the coastal path. There’s really not a lot there apart from a beach, cafè, car park and toilets, but to be honest, what more could you wish for when the location is as good as this. The man on duty at the South Milton Sands car park waved me through, as I’m a National Trust member (charges apply for non-members), and there we were, a minute’s walk from the beach.

It really is a picture book beach, the sort you might find in Ladybird ‘Day at the Seaside’ book, if there is such a thing. You know well enough, if you’re above a certain age, the sort of book I mean. There was one called ‘The Seashore and Seashore Life’. The images in these books now seem to capture a bygone era, way before the advent of smart-phones. Here’s a typical Ladybird image of a girl by the seaside, but unfortunately rather expensive to own. But hold it a moment! I’m drifting again and losing the plot.

Mum on the beach at South Milton Sands (Mum's photo)

Mum and I trekked over the wooden boards of the walk through the sand dunes and plonked ourselves down just a few metres along the beach. There was rather a keen wind, and I’d forgotten my wind break, but we faced downwind, and it was very little discomfort. Here’s a picture of Mum sitting on the beach with her cup of tea. Life doesn’t get much better than this!

After lunch we dropped our picnic gear back at the car and walked in the direction of Thurlestone beach, the next beach westward from where we were. The walking was quite easy going.

 

There’s a small brook that spills out onto the beach, and this has to be crossed, for which purpose a footbridge was to be found behind the dunes. Below are two photos taken near the footbridge, one (left) showing the brook meandering its way down the beach, the other (right) taken from the footbridge itself.

South Milton Sands (NT) - freshwater lagoon

South Milton Sands (NT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that’s about all there is to say about our little outing. A thoroughly enjoyable trip to the seaside at a location that I’d recommend to anyone. Should you be considering a visit, do please do bear in mind that this beach is reached by travelling a few miles along Devon lanes, which can be a bit daunting to the uninitiated.