Teignmouth to Labrador Bay

We followed the instructions for this walk from the Jarrold Short Walks South Devon book.  This walk started at the car park in Shaldon but we went to Teignmouth by train and walked down to the sea front and then along to catch the ferry to Shaldon.  The flower beds in Teignmouth were looking very bright and attrative.

The walk started by going through the village of Shaldon along the estuary of the River Teign.  It was unfortunate that the tide was out - it would have been prettier at high tide.  Having passed the road bridge to Teignmouth we walked on to Gravel Point then turned up towards Ringmore.  This was a very pretty village with lots of thatched cottages.  The road steadily went uphill but we were rewarded by some wonderful views up the river Teign and towards Dartmoor.  When we turned into Butterfly Lane we hoped to see butterflies but it was a cloudy cool day so none were around.  However, there were more spectacular views including this one back to Teignmouth.

We had just commented what a lovely walk this was when we came to a very large puddle that completely engulfed the path.  We had to edge past it almost in the hedge, holding on to vegetation to stop up slipping in. Just at the end Andy's foot slip and went up to his ankle in red muddy water!  We continued on hoping there were no further 'puddles' but soon came to an even larger one.  We realised there was not way we could walk through this one, but fortunately spotted that someone had made steps up the side of the hedge and there was a very narrow path along the top of the hedge.  We carefully, slowly walked along here and managed to get past the pool of water.

When we got to the end of Butterfly Lane we could see down the coast to Labrador Bay.

We could have cut across to the South West Coast Path at this point but it would have meant walking along the A379 which is a busy road with no verges so we kept to the instructions in the book and walked inland for a while before going along the A379 for 200 yards before joining the SW Coast Path.  We were glad it was only this short a portion as it was a dangerous section.

When we got on to the SW Coast Path we started walking down a very steep  slope.  This gave us another viewpoint of Teignmouth.

The path continued making its way downward until we reached Shaldon.  We could have returned to Teignmouth and the railway station via the ferry, but instead decided to continue walking to the road bridge and walk across this back to Teignmouth.  It was a pleasant walk through Shaldon but on the other side of the river we had to go up a hill to get past buildings before we dropped down into Teignmouth Town Centre and on to the railway station.

Mildendreath to Seaton

Although it was only March it was a hot day, the forecasters saying the temperature would reach 20C.  We drove to Mildendreath, where it was free to park and walked to Seaton.  We knew before we set off that there were lots of ups and downs, but lunch at the cafe on the beach at Seaton was a good incentive.

There was a steep hill to climb out of Mildendreath, first on the road and then on a well defined path.  The views from the top were worth the effort.  Initially we could see across to Looe Island and Hannafore.  Later on in the other direction we could see around to Rame Head.

There were lots of flowers at the side of the path - primroses, violets, daffodils, gorse, hawthorn, pink campion and the occasional bluebell.  Butterflies were also fluttering around and we saw peacock. tortoiseshell, small blue.

There were picnic benches at the top of Bogdigga Cliffs but there were no other seats along the path.  And it was a very strenuous walk, going up and down, sometimes on steps.  It was a 2 1/2 mile from Mildendreath to Seaton but it took us 1 1/2 hours.  At times the path went through trees, but most of the time we were in the sunshine and it was very hot!  When we came out of the path there was a steep flight of steps that led to a road that went down to Seaton

After our lunch at Seaton we headed back the same way.  To begin with it did not seem to bad a walk, but as we went on it became very hot and it was hard work.  This was the most strenuous walk we have done to date, and I would not want to repeat it!  However, we can now say that we have done all the South West Coast Path from Plymouth to Polperro.

Jennycliff to Bovisand

We had done this walk back in August, but that day my camera was not working properly so I wanted to re-do it and take photos.  When we did it last year part of the South West Coast Path was closed due to a landslip and we had to walk a small section on the road.  Today the whole path was open.

Although the forecast was for a sunny day there was a sea mist that meant you cold not see Cornwall clearly.  I waited to take my photos on the return journey but the backgrounds were still not very defined.

There were a lot of steps at the beginning of the walk, first down then up but after this the path went gradually up and then down before more steps just before the end.  There were Devon violets along the side of the path to remind us which county we were in.

There were spectacular views of the Sound. into Plymouth and out to the Breakwater.  It was a pity it wasn't a clearer day.

It was low tide so there were large beaches at Bovisand and Sandy Parlour.

Bovisand Beach with the Breakwater in background

Sandy Parlour, with Bovisand Fort

Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Seaton

Wanting to do some of the South West Coastal Path in East Devon we rented a caravan at Sandy Bay on the outskirts of Exmouth.  The Coastal path went round the side of the caravan site so it was very convenient for walking.

Sandy Bay

We set off from the caravan at 8.30 in the morning and within a couple of minutes we were heading towards Budleigh Salterton.  The coastal path was more undulating that we had anticipated, but the views were worth the effort.  We could see across to the River Exe and inland as well as the sweep of the bay towards Budleigh Salterton with the distinctive red cliffs.

  As we started to walk down towards the town gorse bordered the path

When we reached Budleigh Salterton, after a quick look around the town we walked up the River Otter until the coastal path crossed the river to come down the other side to continue its way up the coast.  The clouds were gathering so we hurried back to the town, but soon we were caught in a heavy shower.  This soon passed and it had stopped raining  by the time we caught the bus to Exmouth.

After looking around the town centre in Exmouth and having a fish and chip lunch we headed to the sea front and started to walk back to the caravan.  This was a flatter walk with only one steep hill at the end of the beach up on to the cliff top.  This was near the Orcombe Point where the Jurrasic Coast starts, marked by the  geoneedle.

After walking along the cliff top we were soon back at the caravan at the start of our walk.

While in East Devon we also visited Sidmouth and Seaton.


At Sidmouth we parked just outside the town centre and walked through the Connaught Gardens to the path by the edge of the beach and along to the town centre.

Sidmouth

On another day we drove to Seaton, where we were surprised to see the cliffs were white, not red.

We parked the car near to Axmouth harbour and walked along the beach to the Tram station, not a long section of the South West Coastal Path, but a pleasant walk on a sunny morning.

Looe to Mildrendreath

We caught the train to Looe, a very pleasant train ride with beautiful views out of the carriage all the way. As we approached Looe there were many birds in the river - herons, egrets, curlews as well as gulls and ducks.

After walking around Looe and having some lunch we followed the South West Coast Path towards Mildenreath.  There was a long steep climb up from Looe town, but the view from the top of the cliff over the beach to Hannafore Point was worth the effort.

We continued walking around the coast.  There was a proper path all the way, and we were often on quiet roads between attractive houses.  After we had gone down to Plaidy Beach we had to go up another hill and then down a long hill with steps to Mildrendeath.

We then turned around and walked back to Looe.  It had been an ideal walk for a winter's day when other paths would have been muddy.

Portwrinkle to Downderry

In the past we have walked around Whitsand Bay to Portwrinkle and also from Seaton to Downderry.  We wanted to 'join the dots' and walk from Downderry to Portwrinkle.  We had started to do this once before but realised it was a strenuous walk and we did not fancy having to do it and then walk back.  So today we checked the bus timetable and planned to get the bus from Portwrinkle to Downderry and then walk back.


As we waited for the bus the sun was shining and it was lovely sitting looking out to sea.  The bus ride took just 10 minutes and then the walk back started.  We knew there was was a steep climb to begin with because the cliffs to the east of Downderry are the highest point on the South Cornwall coast.  We had to walk up the road to start with but then took a zig zag footpath.  The path was quite good but there were hedges either side stopping us having a view to stop and admire.  Also there was a lot of ivy which was in flower and attracting wasps.  So we did not fancy stopping too long.  Once we had walked practically to the top of hte cliffs we could look back over Dowderry, but by this time it was cloudy and a mist was coming in from the sea.

Once we had reached the top of the cliffs the path levelled off although there were still some valleys to go down  and up before we finally walked down the hill to Downderry.  It was only as we were on this final stage that we came to a seat.  It would have been good to have somewhere to sit and rest part way!  At one point the path was very near the cliff edge and with the steep drop down this is not a walk to do when the weather is bad

Whitsand Bay Part 2

In the past we have walked around Whitsand Bay from Rame Head to the Cliff Top cafe  and from Tregantle Fort to Portwrinkle.   So we can say we have done all the South West Coast Path we decided to walk from Tregantle Fort to the Cliff Top cafe.

The walk from Tregantle Fort was easier than walking from the other end of  Whitsand Bay.  There were no steep ups and downs just gentle slopes.  However, after a time we had to walk along the road, which was not too busy, but nevertheless not as good as being off road.