A hidden bay surrounded by striking red rocks is nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a picturesque but restricted escape for visitors. In contrast to countries like Italy where private beaches with pricey sunloungers dominate the coastline, most of the UK’s shores are open to the public for free exploration.
Ladram Bay, situated in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the South West Coast Path, boasts unique red sandstone stacks guarding its beach ends, creating a visually stunning landscape. These red cliffs, composed of Otter Sandstone and Mudstone originating from the Triassic era around 230 million years ago, form part of the renowned Jurassic coastline spanning Dorset and East Devon.
Favored by anglers, Ladram Bay offers abundant fishing opportunities from shore or boat rentals, along with captivating rock pools to discover. However, accessing the bay may prove challenging as it is now part of the privately owned Ladram Bay Holiday Park, restricting non-residents from enjoying its pebbled shores.
Originally tenanted farmland, Ladram Bay transformed over the years into a popular holiday park under the stewardship of the Carter family, evolving into one of the largest privately owned holiday destinations in the region. Visitors like Johnny Goldsmith have praised its stunning location and amenities, with private sea-view caravans providing a tranquil setting for a relaxing getaway.
During his stay, Goldsmith recounted his family’s seaside adventures, including close encounters with seagulls attempting to snatch their ice creams. Despite the lively wildlife encounters, the family cherished their time at Ladram Bay, reflecting on the fun-filled experiences and beautiful surroundings that made their trip a memorable Jurassic coast escapade.
