South coastal path

There are many walks along the south west coastal path.  At times dogs should be on a lead.    https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/ 

BRIXHAM TO THE BREAKWATER – 2 MILES

Starting at the Harbour, a long stroll along the marina towards the breakwater. Finish the walk with a stretch along the breakwater itself for panoramic views of the bay.

Difficulty: Easy. The route has paved surfaces all the way with low gradients – suitable for prams/wheelchairs
Dogs - on lead most of walk

BREAKWATER TO BERRY HEAD NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE – 3 MILES

This walk is a natural extension of the previous walk if you are feeling ambitious and the weather is clement. For those of you with a pram or a wheelchair, you will be able to get as far as the visitor centre and the café and some paths at the Nature Reserve, but vast stretches of the South West Coast Path are unpaved and that includes some sections on the Berry Head peninsula. The views and opportunities for wildlife spotting are outstanding from the Nature Reserve over the sea and back towards the town. 

Walk around the harbour, past the breakwater, along the beach and up the steps. Turn left at the top, then walk up past the Berry Head Hotel, turn left, and walk up through the woods to Berry Head. (This path is unsuitable for prams or wheelchairs)

Difficulty: Easy. Although some sections are unsuitable for prams/wheelchairs.


Dogs - off lead through woods (may wish to keep on lead at Berry Head due to sheer drops)

Fishcombe cove - churston woods - Churston cove 

Running along the coast from Churston Cove to Brixham, discover the Grove, Churston and Marridge Woods. Follow the trail through the woods to the peaceful setting of Churston Cove.  
Route - Strenuous in parts
From Trade Winds cottage walk to Rockfish and then along the outer harbour towards Fishcombe cove through Battery Gardens. Walk down the path behind Fishcombe cove towards the woods.  

Pass through a kissing gate and enter the woods.  There are various walks through the woods.  We usually take the left turning walking up through the woods bearing right and then walking through a meadow.  At the end of the meadow you can either turn right before the gate and the walk will take you back to the start of the woods. (at a fork in the path you will need to take the left fork downwards).

Alternatively you can pass through the gate and walk down to Churston cove.  To return you need to take the path at the end of the beach nearest Brixham and walk steeply up through the woods before re-joining the path at the back of Fishcombe cove and back through Battery gardens

brixham to broadsands circular

You can extend the previous walk through the woods and when you reach Churston cove take the path on the far end of the beach and follow the coastal path first to Elberry Cove with its distinctive bath house and then onto Broadsands Beach.  There are two cafes here for refreshments.

For a circular walk from Broadsands beach go back across the golf course and then at the top right hand corner take the walled track upward the hill. You will reach the golf course that you need to cross.  Walk down the road and around the corner to the right and you will reach Churston Court Inn. 
From here walk down the road straight out of the put to pick up the John Musgrove Heritage trail back to Churston woods.  Walk through a gate and cross a meadow before entering woods.  Follow the path left until you come back to your original point where you entered the woods before going back through Battery gardens and reaching the harbour.

Kingswear - Daymark - Froward Point - Kingswear

10km – 397m of ascent – A medium walk, with some pretty steep ups and downs, but all fairly brief.

This walk is circular, starting with a gentle uphill from the bottom of Higher Contour Road.  Higher Contour and then Redoubt Hill offer great opportunities for this, especially as the higher you go, the more expansive the view becomes.  After following a footpath sign down a lane on the right, we eventually join the South West Coast Path (SWCP) on Castle road.

Looking around is easy as the road is paved, virtually vehicle free and goes gently downhill to a group of four idyllic houses at the bottom of the road at Home Farm….including a randomly placed traditional red phone box (not functioning of course)

The Daymark – standing at 24metres high, it was built in 1864 as a guide for mariners to find their way to Dartmouth harbour, which was notoriously difficult to find from the s


From the Daymark, we take a farm track downhill to Inner Froward Point and the Brownstone Battery; built during the second world war to spot German U-Boats.  Inner Froward Point now houses the NCI (National Coastwatch Institution), who are there to keep an eye on the coast every day of the year.  Really friendly and full of information, which they’re always happy to share.

The walk back follows the SWCP which undulates through forest and along clear paths to Kingswear. Perhaps a stop at Mill Bay Cove to dip our toes in the sea?

Countryside walks

There are many countryside walks suitable for walking dogs  https://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/



cockington country park

Cockington Country Park has five walking routes that vary in distance. Stroll comfortably around the lakes, take a relaxed walk around Manscombe Woods or hike around the entire countryside estate! Download a route map below.
https://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/tcct-cockington-walking-map.pdf


You can follow the Cockington Estate walk on a Tramper, an electric all-terrain mobility scooter designed specifically to cover rough ground, mud and grass safely. They can handle steep slopes and bumpy terrain with ease. 

The Drum is a a must for a visit.  They serve excellent food.

 Sharkham and mansands - 5.9 miles (strenuous)

  1. From the car park at Scabbacombe Lane, take the track heading south-eastwards towards the coast, following it around two fields and then forking right to drop diagonally down to the South West Coast Path at Scabbacombe Sands
  2. Turn left onto the Coast Path and follow it around above Long Sands to Crabrock Point
  3. Take the shortcut across the headland here or walk around the point for wonderful views along the coastline in both directions, and then drop down to the peaceful sandy cove at Man Sands
  4. Turning left on either of the paths heading inland here will return you to the car park if you turn left at the top and make your way southwards again. (The second path, along Mansands Lane, is about three-quarters of a mile further than the first, along Woodhuish Lane). From here, stay with the Coast Path as it climbs steeply up to Southdown Cliff and continues north and then east, to reach the headland at Sharkham Point.
  5. Keep going around the point until St Mary's Bay comes into view.
  6. At the kissing gate, turn left onto a tarmac path leaving the Coast Path and walk until you meet a road. Turn right along this narrow road (St Mary's Road). Be aware of any traffic.
  7. Pick up Yards Lane just beyond the second campsite road and follow it around fields to where another path joins it from the left
  8. Bear right here, then left a moment later, carrying on along Yards Lane to Southdown Cross.
  9. Here turn left onto Southdown Road and bear left at the farm, to carry on in the same direction for a couple of hundred yards to the fork.
  10. Bear right here onto Mill Lane and travel downhill with it till you come to the footpath leading left, at the bridge.
  11. Take the footpath and then go straight ahead at Woodhuish Lane for a shortcut back to the car park, but otherwise, carry on down Mill Lane to where it doubles back sharply on itself and another path joins from the right.
  12. Turn sharp left here, staying with the lane until it joins Woodhuish Lane a short distance beyond.
  13. Turn right onto Woodhuish Lane and return to the car park.