Labrador Bay

Welcome! We’re continuing to follow government guidance to make your visit safe and enjoyable. See our Covid-19 updates page for the latest information (link below). Please also #RespectProtectEnjoy the special wildlife here and each other, by keeping to the paths and being mindful of other people’s space. Thank you.

Address: RSPB Labrador Bay, Teignmouth Rd, Shaldon, Torquay TQ1 4TP

Grid ref: SX931705

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Covid-19 updates for RSPB nature reserves

This beautiful coastal reserve near Shaldon offers stunning views over Lyme Bay. Purchased to help secure the future of the cirl bunting, a rare bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to south Devon, it is also home to other key species, including peregrines, buzzards and yellowhammers.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Car park cost: Pay and display car parking.

Facilities

Car park
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Teignmouth station is two miles (3.2 km) away.

By bus

Unfortunately there is no bus stop on the busy A379 that is within safe walking distance to our reserve.

By road

Labrador Bay is 2.7 miles (4.35 km) south of Teignmouth on the A379 coast road towards Torbay (between Shaldon and Maidencombe).

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Labrador Bay is on the South West Coastal path.

Get directions from Google Maps

View on What3Words

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 231Kb

Labrador Bay trail guide

Contact Labrador Bay

RSPB Labrador Bay, Teignmouth Rd, Shaldon, Torquay TQ1 4TP
exe.estuary@rspb.org.uk
01392 833311
@RSPBExeEstuary
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Buzzard

The buzzard is now the UK's most numerous bird of prey.

Cirl bunting

They're present at Labrador Bay all year-round.

Yellowhammer

In spring, listen out for the yellowhammer's song.

Peregrine falcon

They are a regular sight overhead when a pair is nesting in the area.

Skylark

Spring visits to Labrador Bay will be enriched by the beautiful song of skylarks.

Nature spectacles

You might spot dolphins or basking sharks.

In spring, the cirl buntings become territorial and start to form pairs. The males' distinctive rattles can be heard across the reserve. Look out for peregrines as they are seen frequently flying along the cliff top.

During summer, the grasslands on the reserve are looking their best, alive with chirruping grasshoppers and butterflies such as marbled whites and small coppers. Summer migrants such as whitethroats, blackcaps and chiffchaffs will have taken up residence in the scrub along the cliff edge.

Autumn is a good time to see cirl buntings as they will flock up and forage on the stubbles specially managed for them. Other farmland birds are attracted to the stubbles such as skylarks, chaffinches and yellowhammers.

In winter, the number of birds on the stubbles on the reserve should increase as food becomes harder to find. Cirl buntings will sing all year round so on bright sunny days, listen out for the males' rattling calls.

About Labrador Bay

Habitat

Labrador Bay is part of a working farm grazed by cattle in the summer and sheep in the winter. Habitats here include coastal cliff top, woodland, scrub and low-intensity arable and semi-improved grasslands.

Conservation

This nature reserve near Shaldon was purchased in 2008 to help secure the future of the cirl bunting, a rare little bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to south Devon.

Site information

The reserve extends along 1.25 miles (2 km) of spectacular south Devon coast.

There is a good variety of cafes, restaurants and pubs in nearby Shaldon, plus pubs in Maidencombe, Stokenteignhead and Combeinteignhead. The closest public toilets are by the Smugglers Tunnel, the Ness, Shaldon, and are a good 20-minute walk away.

Latest blog posts

read our blog

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/labradorbay

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Lytchett Fields

Arne

Labrador Bay