Wednesday 30 June 2010

Redgate beach


Anstey's Cove (otherwise known as Redgate beach) is one of the most breathtaking beaches I have seen in the UK, and is now completely inaccessible to the public.
Situated between Babbacombe and Torquay on the south Devon coast, it became a tourist trap for the Victorians, who incorporated the beach within an extensive coastal walk, as well as bathed in its perfect turquoise waters.
Throughout the last century development took place on the site, erecting facilities for beach goers and so on. But as recently as the last decade all but the foundations of these buildings now remain as they were destroyed, along with the wooden boardwalk from Anstey's cove.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust had the difficult job of declaring the beach unsafe for public use due to increased rockfall from the cliffs behind.
However, the absence of people and buildings has given the cove back to nature.
There is a definite peace there, it truly is a very special place, that for the time being at least, remains closed to anything but wildlife.

Above: picture taken 1970s (note the wooden boardwalk linking to the beach)

Above: pictures taken looking over the railings to where the boardwalk once was.