Tunnels Beaches
Tunnels Beaches
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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See what travellers are saying
- Frenchbull84Coedkernew, United Kingdom19 contributionsA special part of DevonI have no idea how anyone can give anything less than 5 stars for this incredible little hidden gem. There’s a very small entry fee and unless you want to swim there is very little to do. That being said, you’re paying to view a beautify little piece of history and if you wanted to you can swim in a very rare UK tidal pool. The views are out of this world and the history behind it is is fascinating. It’s easily one of the coolest spots I’ve ever visited in the UK.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 6 October 2023
- JennyWest Midlands, United Kingdom146 contributionsAfternoon well spent!Tunnels beaches has been on my must visit beach list for a while now, and today I finally got to go. It was a beautiful sunny May day, and we leisurely walked around the tunnels, reading all the history and chuckling at some of the news. Once out the tunnels, the beach that awaited us was just stunning (photos do not do it justice). Well worth the admission fee.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 May 2024
- Kittykoochie271 contributionsGood scenery and a relaxing paddleThis was hard to find on foot because the walking directions on Google maps takes you very high up to a viewpoint and not to the entrance. Would have appreciated some street signs nearby to direct us. Staff at the entrance and the coffee takeout were extremely friendly. The tunnels are well paved and not steep or slippery. The toilets were not very clean but there were no queues. One beach was closed for a wedding. The other was shingly. Toe post sandals (with a back on) were fine as the shingles just fall straight off them again. The water was freezing but some people were swimming. We took a picnic blanket to sit on but you can hire deckchairs there..Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 12 August 2024
- Jennifer M69 contributionsHistory, natural beauty and beach funHistory, natural beauty, and beach fun! The pools are great because they create a safe swimming space and are great for inflatables. The rocky landscape is stunning. It's a nice shop and changing rooms, but could do with showers and a cafe. It is all very accessible, but the chain at the entrance does make pram and wheelchair access challenging, and there is no parking.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 13 August 2024
- CMiddletonNewcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom691 contributionsWow such a beautiful placeThis really is a beautiful beach. Safe and secluded. Only £3.75 each to go in. You can also hire deck chairs for a couple of quid and there's a shop if you have forgotten anything. Toilets on site and you can buy drinks too. Really is worth a dip in the sea if you can. Picture postcode beach and not over crowded.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 August 2024
- Luke H1 contributionWedding of the year!We had our wedding at Tunnels Beaches Friday just gone and i have to say it was the most perfect day ever, from The 2 houses we were allocated which were immaculate and spacious to the venue which you felt like you were abroad. Jaques the day organiser was brilliant and made us feel at ease! Every guest has said it was the best wedding they’ve been to! Also to the small things like emailing them with questions & getting answers straight away. I cannot recommend Tunnels Beaches highly enough! Oh and if you are getting married i would DEFINITELY get Daniel Costin the sax player - unbelievable! Got the party started!Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,779 reviews
Excellent
1,041
Very good
430
Average
181
Poor
71
Terrible
56
Rainbowoverwales
Cheltenham, UK184 contributions
May 2022
Tunnels Beach is definitely worth a visit, but some things are worth taking into consideration.
The Pros: An interesting historical place accessed through tunnels dug a couple of hundred years ago. Worth buying the booklet telling the full history of the heated pools.
When the tide is out, the Ladies' Pool is a lovely, safe area for swimming in still water (see photos below)
There is a coffe/gift shop and lavatory facilities near the beach.
The Cons: It costs £3 per person to enter - not exorbitant, but you want to time your visit so you get your money's worth.
You really want to visit at low tide otherwise the pool and most of the beach is under water.
There are often weddings being held in the section that leads down to the Gentlemen's Pool area, but that area can be accessed from the Ladies' Pool at low tide. However, the Gentlemen's Pool itself no longer exists, having succumbed to the ravages of the sea.
The beach is made up of black stones varying from large pebbles down to small shingle. It is not comfortable to lie/walk on so thick towels and appropriate footwear are advisable.
The Pros: An interesting historical place accessed through tunnels dug a couple of hundred years ago. Worth buying the booklet telling the full history of the heated pools.
When the tide is out, the Ladies' Pool is a lovely, safe area for swimming in still water (see photos below)
There is a coffe/gift shop and lavatory facilities near the beach.
The Cons: It costs £3 per person to enter - not exorbitant, but you want to time your visit so you get your money's worth.
You really want to visit at low tide otherwise the pool and most of the beach is under water.
There are often weddings being held in the section that leads down to the Gentlemen's Pool area, but that area can be accessed from the Ladies' Pool at low tide. However, the Gentlemen's Pool itself no longer exists, having succumbed to the ravages of the sea.
The beach is made up of black stones varying from large pebbles down to small shingle. It is not comfortable to lie/walk on so thick towels and appropriate footwear are advisable.
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deano1967
England, UK397 contributions
Sept 2021
We visited the Tunnels on a beautiful September's day and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, reading about their history and the rugged beauty of the beach, rocks and swimming pool.
But.....
It is simply not on to charge full admission price when only half the facility is open because the other half is closed for a wedding ceremony. You only find this out after paying of course, there's no advance notice.
If people are hiring it to get married then they should be charged a surplus to cover reduced admission fees for the rest of us.
But.....
It is simply not on to charge full admission price when only half the facility is open because the other half is closed for a wedding ceremony. You only find this out after paying of course, there's no advance notice.
If people are hiring it to get married then they should be charged a surplus to cover reduced admission fees for the rest of us.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carla S
Leicester, UK517 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
An historic place worth a visit and where your entry price allows for numerous visits per day. There is a little food and drink shop but you can also take your own. It’s worth allowing a lunch stop for your visit as the attraction sees you on the beach. The tunnel itself takes approx 10-20 mins depending on your reading interest and speed.
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hathers42
129 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Lovely little beach. It’s £10 for a family of 4 for the day and you can come and go just leave your name at the desk.We have been twice on our weeks holiday both times the gentleman’s beach was closed due to a wedding so everyone was on the ladies beach which meant it was very busy on the sunniest day. Less so on the cooler day. There is a pool at low tide , but when it’s high tide the only sign of this is the wall just under the surface. Small cafe on ladies beach, lovely sandwiches but on a busy day they run out. The cafe serves hot and cold drinks and ice creams. There are toilets and you can hire deck chairs for £2. It’s grey slate sand which is really strange as further down the coast it’s traditional golden yellow. As you walk in the tunnels there is a history of this Victorian Bathing beach.
Written 4 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elle
12 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
Beach is nice enough to look at. Spent £3 to look at the beach for a couple of minutes. You should be able to look at the beach briefly for free or a smaller cost and then charge people who want to actually stay down there. Only one beach was open so definitely not worth the cost.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Callum & Tash
7 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Very underwhelmed. £3 per adult. A quick walk through a tunnel onto a tiny cove. We only had the chance to visit the ‘ladies’ section as the ‘men’s’ section had a private wedding, yet they still charged full price! The best thing they have were the toilets and even then the sinks were tiny. Not worth the entry free.
Written 10 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frenchbull84
Coedkernew, UK19 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I have no idea how anyone can give anything less than 5 stars for this incredible little hidden gem. There’s a very small entry fee and unless you want to swim there is very little to do.
That being said, you’re paying to view a beautify little piece of history and if you wanted to you can swim in a very rare UK tidal pool.
The views are out of this world and the history behind it is is fascinating.
It’s easily one of the coolest spots I’ve ever visited in the UK.
That being said, you’re paying to view a beautify little piece of history and if you wanted to you can swim in a very rare UK tidal pool.
The views are out of this world and the history behind it is is fascinating.
It’s easily one of the coolest spots I’ve ever visited in the UK.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
henlowboy
Harpenden, UK926 contributions
May 2022
Tunnels Beaches welll worth seeing -£2.75 entry and information all along the tunnels.
Shop halfway for drinks etc.. one part closed for private wedding so should not charge full admission
Great photo views to take once on beach.
Shop halfway for drinks etc.. one part closed for private wedding so should not charge full admission
Great photo views to take once on beach.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agatha D
Chester, UK229 contributions
Jul 2021
Wonderful and interesting place. We visited on what started as a rainy day and were not expecting the sun to come out and be warm. I loved the sense of history and imagined what it was like to come here as a Victorian and be a pioneer of wild swimming.
My 15 yr old son has become an enthusiast of wild swimming, and was so taken with the lido pool that he decided to strip off to his undies and go for a swim. We had no towels or a change of undies, but the brave lad thought it was worth spending the rest of day without them under his trousers for the unique experience of swimming in such a pool. He also loved the comaraderie he experienced with the other people in the pool who had chosen to brave it in wetsuits or swimsuits. For him, it was the highlight of his holiday in Devon.
Perhaps you should bring swim stuff and a picnic with you if you want to get the best out of it?
For us who didn't take a dip, it was just a really lovely place to chill for a while - deck chairs for hire, but we found rocks to sit on. There are lots of rocks to explore and it looks fun for younfer kids too. There is shop overlooking the cove with coffee and icecream for sale.
The only negative that made me give this place 4 stars is that when we arrived, it was impressed upon us that a private wedding was taking place in the Gentlemen's Bay and that we must not venture into the Gentlemen's Bay. Private parties making places out of bound that should be public, is annoying to me.
My 15 yr old son has become an enthusiast of wild swimming, and was so taken with the lido pool that he decided to strip off to his undies and go for a swim. We had no towels or a change of undies, but the brave lad thought it was worth spending the rest of day without them under his trousers for the unique experience of swimming in such a pool. He also loved the comaraderie he experienced with the other people in the pool who had chosen to brave it in wetsuits or swimsuits. For him, it was the highlight of his holiday in Devon.
Perhaps you should bring swim stuff and a picnic with you if you want to get the best out of it?
For us who didn't take a dip, it was just a really lovely place to chill for a while - deck chairs for hire, but we found rocks to sit on. There are lots of rocks to explore and it looks fun for younfer kids too. There is shop overlooking the cove with coffee and icecream for sale.
The only negative that made me give this place 4 stars is that when we arrived, it was impressed upon us that a private wedding was taking place in the Gentlemen's Bay and that we must not venture into the Gentlemen's Bay. Private parties making places out of bound that should be public, is annoying to me.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Great Malvern, UK754 contributions
Jun 2021
I can't see the point of paying to sit on a shingle beach when there are free sandy beaches nearby. The shop/cafe is ok and there are convenient conveniences. Still, it is a novelty and sometimes you just do these things because they are there.
Do check the tides if you want to swim in the lagoon which is created as the tide goes out.
Local parking is a problem.
Do check the tides if you want to swim in the lagoon which is created as the tide goes out.
Local parking is a problem.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The tunnels beaches are closed😢. Having come down to see them! Is there any other way of accessing them???
Written 30 August 2020
Is this suitable for someone with a breathing condition?
Written 30 July 2019
The 1st tunnel is flat but the slope down to the ladies beach would be tricky as it is sloped. As the attraction is so old unfortunately disability access wouldn't have been thought about.The guide book is very informative if the disabled petson is interested in History and would give them a vision of the beaches. If I remember it was @£2.50.
Written 7 July 2019
Are dogs allowed through the tunnels and on these secluded beaches
Written 23 June 2019
Dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches, only through the tunnels and cafe area
Written 24 June 2019
What is the distance between tunnels beaches wedding venue to Mullacott park illfacombe
Written 28 September 2018
It's about 2.5 miles. Google indicates about 7 minutes drive
Written 28 September 2018
What is the best time to visit as tides are difficult to understand? Thanks
Written 1 May 2017
I'm sorry, I know nothing about the local tides. :(
Written 21 July 2017
Visiting for a wedding
We are looking for the best place to stay locally
Written 2 August 2016
Why not try the Dilkhusa Grand hotel, 2 minutes walk from the Tunnels Beaches. There was a wedding taking place on the Gentleman's Beach (left hand beach) while we were there last week. We caught a glimpse of the guests enjoying drinks & barbecue as we walked past. Good Luck
Written 9 September 2016
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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