Hello to all our lovely readers, we hope you are all well and keeping safe. We are back again this week with a blog to continue our series on The South West Coast Path. This week we are focusing on South Devon and it’s stunning coastal walks. Make sure to keep reading to find out some of our favourite spots.
The Key Spots
The South Devon section of The South West Coast Path stretches from Plymouth to Starcross, covering 104 miles of varied and exciting walks. Plymouth itself is a vibrant waterfront city with lots to explore from dining to shopping. One place to visit while in Plymouth is the Mayflower steps situated in the Barbican area of Plymouth. It is believed that the Pilgrims left England aboard the Mayflower at this spot before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and settling in North America on the 6th of September 1620. The steps themselves unfortunately no longer exist but a granite block bearing the ship’s name marks the site.
From Plymouth, you will soon be enjoying the peaceful settings of the Yealm and Erme estuaries. The river Yealm and the river Erme rise 430 meters above sea level. The river Yealm makes a 15-mile journey to the sea passing through Cornwood, Lee Mill and Yealmpton before reaching the estuary mouth just below Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. River Erme on the other hand also makes its 15-mile journey to the sea but this time passing through Ivybridge and Ermington before reaching the estuary mouth at Wonwell and Mothecombe. Both spots are fantastic for birdwatching.
On from the estuaries you have the wonderful selection of pretty villages including Bigbury-on-Sea, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beach is a beautiful sandy beach with a fantastic stretch to walk the dog (restricted areas during the summertime). Plus, Bigbury-on-Sea has the famous landmark of Burgh Island which overlooks Bigbury-on-Sea’s beach. The island is accessible at low tide and the island boasts an award-winning hotel that was originally built as a retreat for the world-famous novelist, Agatha Christie.
Moving forward on your walk you will come to Hope Cove, another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty located near to Salcombe. Hope Cove is made up of two sandy beaches with Mouthwell Sands to the North and the harbour beach to the South.
For those looking for a challenging hike up and down steep valleys then the next stretch will be just for you, however, the stunning views of the Salcombe Estuary are well worth the climb. Once you cross the estuary you begin to explore the peninsula of ‘Start Point’ a stunning lighthouse. From here you should be able to spot the ruins of the former fishing village at Hallsands. Hallsands is believed to originate from around 1600 and by 1891 it had 37 houses with a population of 159. However, the village was destroyed after dredging left the village exposed to sea storms.
The final stretch of The South West Coast Path is The English Riviera, a world-famous area for its exquisite seafood. On this section of the walk, you can enjoy the wonderful nature at Berry Head or head into the bustling towns of Paignton, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Torquay.
Other Activities
As well as all the stunning walks and benches to sit and enjoy there are lots of other activities you can take part in. First up is rock pooling and watersports at Bigbury-on-Sea, the beach is a fantastic choice for rock pooling and with lifeguards situated during the summer months, you can feel safe to take part in the variety of watersports on offer.
Talking of watersports, if there is a keen surfer amongst you then you must visit Bantham Beach which is renowned for its great surf.
For those that love beautiful gardens, then you are in luck. While exploring the Salcombe section of The South West Coast Path you can take a detour to explore Overbecks, a National Trust Garden. It is tucked away on the cliffs of Salcombe and is filled with subtropical plants.
Finally, for those that love seafood, stopping at Brixham is a must. The bustling harbour town is filled with the traditional sights of fishing boats, markets, cafes and restaurants all where you can taste the fantastic local produce.
Further Information
We hope you have enjoyed todays blog and if you are thinking that South Devon and the South Devon section of The South West Coast Path is for you then be sure to take a look at our wonderful, high-quality accommodation in the area.