Why late summer is South Devon's best-kept secret

Late summer in South Devon has a rather lovely contradiction at its heart: it still feels like summer, but it no longer behaves quite like August.

As the school holidays draw to a close and September begins, the pace along the South Devon coast starts to soften. Beaches feel roomier, popular towns become easier to explore and there is less pressure to arrive early to find a parking space and fit everything into one busy day. September visitors to Devon will enjoy quieter beaches, milder weather and (for keen sea swimmers) the water at its warmest.

For those who prefer their seaside breaks with a little more breathing room, late summer is the sweetest part of the season.

Enjoy South Devon after the summer rush

August is popular in South Devon for good reason, but popularity inevitably brings company. By late summer, much of that peak-season bustle has eased as children return to school and the main holiday rush subsides.

That can make a surprisingly big difference to a break. Coastal walks feel more peaceful, beaches can have noticeably more room and harbour towns become places to linger rather than simply navigate. The quieter atmosphere can also make days out feel more spontaneous: head somewhere because the weather looks promising, stop when a view catches your eye and stay for another coffee because nobody is watching the clock.

There's a shift towards a slower, more carefree way to experience South Devon.

Make the most of the late summer warmth

Packing for September in Britain will always require a degree of optimism and an emergency waterproof somewhere in the car, but late summer can often deliver some of the warmest days of the year.

More importantly for keen swimmers, the sea has had the whole summer to warm up. Met Office research notes that the sea around the UK is typically at its warmest around early September, making late summer the perfect time for a dip or two.

Head to the coast on a calm day and you can still enjoy that unmistakably summery combination of crystal clear water, sunshine and endless blue skies, without quite so many beach towels competing for space.

Walk the South West Coast Path at your own pace

Late summer is an excellent time to pull on your walking shoes.

Around Brixham, the South West Coast Path links some spectacular stretches of coastline. One manageable option is the 1.6-mile route from Berry Head to Sharkham Point, with views over St Mary’s Bay and the surrounding coast. For a longer outing, the 5.8-mile circuit linking Brixham’s two headlands takes in Berry Head National Nature Reserve and offers panoramic views across Torbay.

Late summer/early autumn brings another reason to slow down and look around, because Brixham's Berry Head in particular is a great spot for sighting migrant birds at this time of year.

Enjoy a quieter side of Brixham

A late summer escape should leave room for days with very little agenda.

Spend a morning wandering around Brixham, still one of the UK’s busiest fishing ports, then browse the town’s galleries or settle somewhere for a fresh seafood lunch. If the weather is calling you outdoors, walk up towards Berry Head, where the nature reserve sits on 60-metre cliffs above the sea and forms a gateway to the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.

One of the pleasures of visiting outside of the busiest summer weeks is having more time to enjoy each place at your own pace. Wander, stop for a coffee or follow the coast a little further, without feeling tied to a packed itinerary.

Plan less and enjoy more

The best late-summer breaks are often lightly planned.

Choose one main idea for the day over a slow breakfast - a coastal walk, a swim, or a visit to Brixham. Leave time for a leisurely lunch, and spend an afternoon relaxing with a book

Above all, resist the temptation to squeeze in everything. A late summer break calls for a slow pace - long breakfasts, unhurried walks, quiet afternoons and evenings spent watching the light change over the coast.

Find your peaceful late summer base at Landscove Coastal Retreats

For a break built around peace, sea air and time to recharge your batteries in the last of the summer sunshine, Landscove Coastal Retreats makes an especially fitting base. Landscove Holiday Park and Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat sit above Brixham, with panoramic coastal views and easy access to South Devon’s beaches, the South West Coast Path and the wider English Riviera.

With a quiet, relaxed atmosphere at the heart of the experience, it is a place where late summer can be enjoyed as it should be: slowly, calmly and with plenty of time to simply look out to sea.

Ready for a quieter few days on the South Devon coast? Explore late-summer stays at Landscove Coastal Retreats and find your place by the sea.