Top 10 Dog Walks

Brixham

Brixham is the perfect place for dog walks, with lots of wide open spaces and stunning views, there are plenty of places to keep you and your pooch happy.

1) Berry Head to Sharkham Point

Berry Head and Sharkham are both popular with dog walkers so you will come across some on your walk. As they are both headlands, both locations and the path in between the two can be close to the cliff edge at times.

Berry Head is an extensive limestone headland and designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Here you will find ruins of Napoleonic forts and you can learn about the history of this breath-taking spot. Take in the panoramic sea views and refresh with a bite to eat at the Guardhouse Café. Please be careful here, the forts are on the edge of the cliff with no safety barriers, so it is advisable to put dogs on leads.

Berry Head itself is a great place for dog walks, but if you’re feeling adventurous, follow the South West Coast Path and head South West along the coast. This route has some extraordinary views, but does have some sections where the edge of the cliff is rather close, so please be careful with excitable dogs. Sharkham Point is the headland to the south of St Mary's Bay. From here there are excellent views of St Mary’s Bay and the heritage coast beyond. There are further panoramic views from the coastal path that passes above the beach.

2) The Grove, Churston and Marridge Woods

This is a popular dog walk with paths through the woods, but there are plenty of places for your dog to run around and let off some steam. Churston Cove is dog-friendly all year round.

With over 100 acres to explore, a network of footpaths and secluded beaches, The Grove and adjoining Churston and Marridge Woods is a perfect place for your pooch to explore. There are multiple entrances, including one at the end of a lane near Churston Court and one above Fishcombe Cove in Brixham, or follow the coast path from Elberry Cove.

The ancient woods at Churston is home to a collection of disused lime kilns. The woods are full of wildlife, from unusual species of butterflies, to protected horseshoe bats to a plethora of local birds. In Spring the woodland floor comes alive with a sea of bluebells. Follow the main path down towards Churston Cove - a peaceful, secluded shingle beach – perfect for a quick dip for your furry friend after your walk.

3) Battery Gardens

This walk is popular with dog walkers so is better suited for more sociable dogs. There are lots of grassy places for your pooch to blow off some steam. Fishcombe Cove is dog-friendly all year round.

The Battery Gardens is a favourite for dog walkers in all seasons as there are large open greens for dogs to play in, and concrete paths all throughout the park for you to walk on no matter the season! It has beautiful panoramic views of the Bay and is awash with wildlife. The gardens are a natural landscape of trees and grass, and in spring it becomes a sea of bluebells and snowdrops. In Autumn, the ground turns orange with a covering of crisp autumn leaves. At the bottom of the park, there is a secluded picturesque cove: Fishcombe Cove – perfect for pooches who prefer a paddle!

4) Galmpton to Greenway

This is a less known dog walk, but you are still likely to come across other dog walkers and possibly horse riders too. There are places for your dog to run off lead, but there may be livestock in the fields so please put your dog on leads if so.

This delightful walk includes country lanes, open farmland and woodlands with stunning views over the River Dart and even Agatha Christie’s holiday home, Greenway House.

Begin your walk at the Manor Inn pub in Galmpton. Follow Stoke Gabriel Road towards Totnes, passing the village shop on your left. Follow this country road until you reach the left turn to Galmpton Creek and then until you reach the entrance to Galmpton boatyard. Continue to follow the signposts towards Lower Greenway Farm and Greenway. Where the lane ends, bear left onto the unmettled path uphill and at the junction (where the tarmac lane recommences) continue straight ahead downhill then down the steps to Galmpton Creek, following the path over the beach to the lime kiln. The beach is not passable at high tide and it is highly recommended to stick to the wall and not venture towards the sea as the wet sand and mud can get very deep, very quickly.

By the lime kiln the path turns left, inland over a wooden stile and travels up through two fields passing from one field to another by a fingerpost through a wooden gate, then over a stone and metal bar stile before passing between the farm buildings and onto the farm track beyond. Cross the road and enter Down Copse Woodland. This is a large woodland on the entrance to the Greenway Estate. Turn left and walk 50 meters until you see green way markers directing you to Greenway House. Turn right and follow these until you reach Greenway car park. Et voila! You have arrived at Agatha Christie’s Greenway House.

Paignton

Paignton is a great place for seaside dog walks, with plenty of long sandy beaches, some of which are dog-friendly all year round.

5) Broadsands and Elberry Cove

Both Broadsands and Elberry Cove are popular with dog walkers so you will meet other dogs here. Broadsands is subject to the dog beach ban, so only allows dogs during the winter months. It is a shallow sandy beach, perfect for dogs who like swimming. Elberry Cove is dog-friendly all year round. It is a shingle beach and gets deep quite quickly.

In between Paignton and Brixham is the long sandy Broadands Beach. With soft sand, rockpools at either end and shallow waters, it is a great place for your dog to play during the winter months, but beware, dogs are not allowed on the beach during summer months.

Over the large open green with sea views you’ll find the sheltered shingle beach at Elberry Cove. It is a favourite for dog walkers as it is adjacent to woodlands on one side and a large seafront green on the other, providing plenty of space for dogs to run around whilst their owners enjoy the spectacular sea views. The shoreline at Elberry Cove is quite steep and the water gets very deep very quickly so be sure to keep an eye on your furry friend here.

6) Oyster Cove and Saltern Cove

This is a less known dog walk, so is likely to be less busy with other dogs.  Both coves are dog friendly all year round.

Nestled in between Goodrington Sands and Broadsands are Oyster Cove and Saltern Cove. Accessed via the South West Coast Path, these two secluded coves are a little-known secret. Both coves are dog friendly all year round, and a great place to escape the summer crowds. There is a large green that separates them, with fantastic views so both you and your pooch can enjoy. Saltern Cove is a key site in the UNESCO Global Geopark, a local marine nature reserve and the only underwater Site of Specific Scientific Interest in the UK.

7) Goodrington Sands 

Goodrington Sands and Youngs Park are a very popular dog walking spot, so perfect for pooches who like to meet new friends. The North Side of Goodrington Sands is dog friendly all year round. 

Goodrington Sands and Youngs Park are a popular place for dog walkers. The long sandy beach with safe swimming conditions, and next to the green is a great place for your pets to enjoy during the off-peak season. During the winter months, dogs are allowed at the south sands between the cliffs at the southern end and the signs at Middlestone to the north. The tide goes out quite a way which reveals quite an expanse of beach for your dog to have a good run around. There are always a few other dogs out here so if your doggy likes company you'll be in luck.

Torquay

Torquay is perfect for the more sociable dogs. It’s a great mix of countryside and dog-friendly eateries.

8) Cockington Country Park

Cockington is always popular with dog walkers, and the main walk around the lakes and in front of the manor house is likely to be very busy with other dogs, but considering how large the country park is, you are able to find quieter spots.

Cockington is a great place for a relaxing dog walk with the family. Cockington Country Park consists of 400 acres of land, with wide open fields, woodlands and lakes: plenty of places for your pooches to play. Tucked in amongst this 400 acre park are three pretty ornamental lakes, a historic Manor House with craft centre and studios, and a quaint church. Cockington is the perfect place for your pup to explore whilst keeping you and your family entertained.

See Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust’s map for a printable map with five different walking routes to take with you on your walk.

9) Torquay Seafront and Abbey Sands

This walk is perfect for sociable dogs who don’t mind other dogs, people and traffic. There are lots of places to stop for a bite to eat for their human too! Torre Abbey Sands is subject to the dog beach ban so only allows dogs during the winter months.

All dogs love a day at the seaside and Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay is a great place for a dip. After wetting your paws, wander along the seafront towards the marina taking in the lovely views over the Bay. There are lots of places to stop for a sit down and to drink in the view. It’s great for sociable dogs that could meet some new furry friends along the way.

10) Watcombe Beach Circular Walk

This is a less known walk so is likely to be less busy, however you are still likely to meet other dogs along the route.

Start in Watcombe Beach car park and walk through the woods, along the South West Coast Path to Maidencombe Beach. Stop off for a cheeky drink or a pub lunch at the dog-friendly Thatched Tavern, and then make your way back. You’ll see spectacular rocks and stunning sea views of the several sheltered coves en route. As well as the prehistoric-jungle atmosphere of the woods with the red cliffs soaring through the foliage. The whole area is rich in wildlife – make sure you keep an eye out for seals and dolphins.