Challaborough
Encyclopedia
Challaborough is a village and popular surfing
beach in the District of South Hams
on the south coast of Devon
, England
. The beach is popular with surfers from Plymouth
and the surrounding area because of its powerful waves. It offers up predominantly left-hand pointbreak waves that can peel for hundreds of yards.
Challaborough village consists of two small static caravan sites and a few private houses. Most properties have views of Burgh Island and Bigbury Bay. The beach is popular with surfers and holidaymakers alike. It is a horseshoe shaped bay with a sand bar protecting the entrance. The beach is divided by a small stream that runs from the valley down into the sea.
For boats there are two slipways. One is privately owned by one of the caravan sites and is better maintained, although rather steep. Members of the public have to pay to use the private slipway, but the public slipway is free for all to use. The public slipway is however only suitable for smaller boats. Challaborough is popular with the diving community as there are several wrecks along the nearby coastline. Fishing is also good in the area as well as sailing and cruising.
Although Challaborough is part of two Parishes, Bigbury
and Ringmore, and therefore does not have its own council, there is a local action group that aims to protect the community interests.
For walkers there are many footpaths as well as the coastal footpath. To the east is the more developed resort of Bigbury-on-Sea
and Burgh Island
. In the other direction along the coast are a number of coves, Ayrmer Cove and Westcombe ; although more challenging to walk to are far quieter and picturesque. A little further west is the mouth and estuary of the River Erme.
The static caravans at Challaborough are mostly privately owned, however there are some hire fleet. Facilities on the lower site include a nightclub, arcade, swimming pool, bar, shop, launderette and child's play facilities. The upper site generally enjoys better views but has fewer facilities and is situated on a steep hill.
Disabled access around the lower site and the beach is usually very good; in the winter the sand sometimes shifts below the level of the disabled beach access.
Dogs are banned from the beach during the summer months. RNLI lifeguards patrol most of the year.
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
beach in the District of South Hams
South Hams
South Hams is a local government district on the south coast of Devon, England with its headquarters in the town of Totnes. It contains the towns of Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge, Salcombe — the largest of which is Ivybridge with a population of 16,056....
on the south coast of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The beach is popular with surfers from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
and the surrounding area because of its powerful waves. It offers up predominantly left-hand pointbreak waves that can peel for hundreds of yards.
Challaborough village consists of two small static caravan sites and a few private houses. Most properties have views of Burgh Island and Bigbury Bay. The beach is popular with surfers and holidaymakers alike. It is a horseshoe shaped bay with a sand bar protecting the entrance. The beach is divided by a small stream that runs from the valley down into the sea.
For boats there are two slipways. One is privately owned by one of the caravan sites and is better maintained, although rather steep. Members of the public have to pay to use the private slipway, but the public slipway is free for all to use. The public slipway is however only suitable for smaller boats. Challaborough is popular with the diving community as there are several wrecks along the nearby coastline. Fishing is also good in the area as well as sailing and cruising.
Although Challaborough is part of two Parishes, Bigbury
Bigbury
Bigbury is a village and civil parish in the South Hams district of Devon, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 582.The parish council meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm in Bigbury Memorial Hall...
and Ringmore, and therefore does not have its own council, there is a local action group that aims to protect the community interests.
For walkers there are many footpaths as well as the coastal footpath. To the east is the more developed resort of Bigbury-on-Sea
Bigbury-on-Sea
Bigbury-on-Sea is a village located on the south coast of Devon approximately 250 metres from the tidal island of Burgh Island. It falls within the civil parish of Bigbury and the local governmental district of South Hams....
and Burgh Island
Burgh Island
Burgh Island is a small tidal island off the coast of South Devon in England near to the small seaside village of Bigbury-on-Sea. There are several buildings on the island, the largest being the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel...
. In the other direction along the coast are a number of coves, Ayrmer Cove and Westcombe ; although more challenging to walk to are far quieter and picturesque. A little further west is the mouth and estuary of the River Erme.
The static caravans at Challaborough are mostly privately owned, however there are some hire fleet. Facilities on the lower site include a nightclub, arcade, swimming pool, bar, shop, launderette and child's play facilities. The upper site generally enjoys better views but has fewer facilities and is situated on a steep hill.
Disabled access around the lower site and the beach is usually very good; in the winter the sand sometimes shifts below the level of the disabled beach access.
Dogs are banned from the beach during the summer months. RNLI lifeguards patrol most of the year.