Even on a cold, wet day, you can be cheered up by the thought of summer on the beach.  The beach is where memories are made – building sandcastles, exploring rockpools, discovering seaweed and heading into the water to swim, surf, Stand Up Paddle Board, kayak or just paddle in the shallows.  It's a passion which started with the Georgians, who began to visit the coast in great numbers in the 18th century.  Today, the Great British Seaside is enjoying something of a renaissance as families turn their backs on the Costas and head for the coast instead.  We really do love to be beside the seaside.  

No longer if you're planning a day on the beach, do you have to endure sand-covered sandwiches, soggy sausage rolls and warm squash.  The Venus Company, which began life at Blackpool Sands in South Devon, has been keeping beachgoers fed and watered with delicious food and drink for 21 years.  They serve locally sourced, tasty food with minimum impact on the environment and an emphasis on sustainability.

This family-run business really understands the importance of good service and providing an interesting café and takeaway menu packed with flavour that caters for the young to the old, the meat-eater to the vegetarian and the dieter to the walker looking for a quick calorie fix.

In fact, The Venus Company takes care of pretty much everything. It's just the weather that remains beyond its control! Here are the beaches where you can enjoy the Venus experience… 

Blackpool Sands

One of Britain's prettiest beaches, Blackpool Sands is set in sheltered Start Bay and surrounded by evergreen trees with turquoise blue waters.  It's one of the jewels of the South Devon heritage coast and is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Don't let the name “Sands” fool you, it's a shingle beach but has sand pits and watersports on offer.   

Blackpool Sands was the first Venus café to open in 1995, run by a family determined to offer the best local produce available with minimum damage to the environment.  Close to the lovely town of Dartmouth, the flagship The Venus Café specialises in serving divine seafood which is landed just a few miles away from sustainable stocks.   Choose from their renowned beer battered fish and chips and legendary Venus fish pie.  Or for the meat-eater, try the Classic Venus Burger made with the finest 28-day aged grass fed Devon beef.  There are vegetarian options and a lovely children's menu.  The Venus Café is also open for breakfast, coffee and cake and open daily from 8.30am - 5.00pm and every evening during July and August.  There's also a takeaway too.

In addition to their heavenly menu, there's also The Venus Beach Shop selling inflatables, buckets and spades, beach games, towels, swimwear and much more.  In the summer Venus Riders offers a fantastic range of exciting watersports including sit-on kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards, ideal for the whole family and those who want to get their adrenaline going.

Bigbury on Sea

Bigbury on Sea is popular with families with its sandy shore, shallow waters and rockpools to explore.  It is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to Kingsbridge in the South Hams.  From the beach you can admire the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel, which inspired Dame Agatha Christie to write And Then There Were None.  When the tide is out you can walk to the island or travel via the sea tractor.  Well-known for its watersports, why not have a go at Stand Up Paddle Boarding, surfing or kayaking with Venus Riders in conjunction with Discovery Surf School? 

Perfect for those who have built up an appetite, The Venus Takeaway is located right next to the beach.  What could be better than tucking into one of Venus' famous beef burgers?  The Venus Takeaway also serves tasty veggie burgers, paninis, pasties, breakfast baps and children's meals.  The Venus Takeaway is open 10.00am - 5.00pm daily, except Christmas Day, and 9.00am - 6.00pm in July and August.

East Portlemouth 

At the southern end of the Kingsbridge estuary, you'll find East Portlemouth which is in another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The 'beach' is actually three beaches – Fisherman's Cove, Smalls Cove and Mill Bay – and the good news for those who like to travel with their pet, is that the beaches are dog-friendly all year round.

Open daily (March - October), The Venus Takeaway serves the Posh Pasty Co's hand produced artisan pasties which are made using only ingredients sourced from Devon and Cornwall.  The takeaway also serves sandwiches, baguettes, Devon ice cream and cream teas.  The Venus Takeaway is open 10.00am - 5.00pm from the end of March to the end of October, and 9.00am - 6.00pm July and August.   There's a Venus beach shop too, with enough to keep children amused for hours with buckets, spades and beach games.  

Watergate Bay

Watergate Bay is a fabulous destination on the North Cornwall coast which stretches almost as far as the eye can see.  This deep, sandy expanse with Atlantic breakers rolling into shore is a paradise for surfers and watersports enthusiasts.  Throughout the summer it's also the venue for spectacular events such as the English National Surfing Championships.

Situated right on the beach and open daily, The Venus Takeaway offers an enticing menu of hot and cold local food and drink.  With an abundance of choice for gluten free, vegetarian and meat lovers including pasties, baguettes, sandwiches and burgers.  The Venus Takeaway is open from 10.00am - 5.00pm and opens later if the weather is good.   

Tolcarne 

This privately-owned beach is at the heart of the North Cornwall coast, close to the town of Newquay.  The facilities are excellent and the 100 or so steps from the clifftop to access the sand are worth the effort.

With a glass screened decked area The Venus Takeaway offers all weather dining with a tempting selection of hot and cold locally sourced produce available.  The Venus Takeaway is open from 10.00am – 5.00pm from Easter until the end of October, and extended hours in July and August.  Visitors to Tolcarne can also buy everything they need for a fantastic day out from The Venus Beach Shop, whether it's buckets and spades, sun cream or beach games.  

The Shops at Dartington 

The Venus Café at The Shops at Dartington takes you inland, close to the historic town of Totnes.  It's a great destination to find fascinating local crafts and delicious Westcountry produce.  When you've exhausted the shops and galleries, head for The Venus Café which serves steaming organic coffee and homemade cakes and cream teas.  Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, the café offers a great assortment of hot and cold food and is open between 8.30am – 5.00pm with a takeaway option available.

The Venus Company's philosophy is best summed up by the phrase 'Loving the Beach'.  They even use it in their web address.  They have twice won the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development (in 2010 and 2005).  One of only ten companies throughout the UK to have been awarded a sustainability honour in 2010 and one of only eight companies to have achieved the award in 2005. 

For further information about The Venus Company please visit www.lovingthebeach.co.uk.

ENDS

For further information, photography or an interview with Michael Smith co-owner of The Venus Company please contact:

Hayley Reynolds / Danielle Merchant at RAW PR and Marketing - hayley@rawprandmarketing.co.uk / danielle@rawprandmarketing.co.uk

Telephone: 01548 550429

Twitter: @HayleyJReynolds / @RawSW