Top 10 Walks

1. Geopark Walk

Explore the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark: One of Earth’s extraordinary places

Difficulty - moderate walk with some steep incline

The English Riviera received international recognition for its stunning rich geological, historical and cultural heritage in 2007, one of only 8 designated UNESCO Global Geoparks in the UK and 140 in the world. Discover the area’s 400 million years of history with a Geopark themed walk.

Start at Kents Cavern, one of the gateway centres to the English Riviera’s UNESCO Global Geopark and Europe’s top prehistoric Stone Age caves.  You’ll find an extensive labyrinth of caverns with amazing stalagmites and stalactites and the site of ground-breaking excavations including the discovery of North West Europe’s oldest human jawbone. 

Walk down to Torquay Harbour for a Geopark pleasure cruise to explore the outstanding coastline and the rich diversity of the landscape and wildlife. Take in the fine examples of limestone folded rocks on the island of Orestone, the natural arch of London Bridge: the Geopark’s most iconic geological feature, Rock Walk’s vertical limestone cliff and Corbyn’s Head cliff consisting of Permian breccia.

Alight at the quaint fishing harbour in Paignton and follow the south edge, passed the fish merchants towards Fairy Cove, a secluded crescent shaped sandy beach with red sand and shingle. The cliffs around the headland contain layers in the rock and fragments of limestone. Take the steps up towards the delightful gardens at Roundham Head turning left along the road where you will find unrivalled views of the bay and on a clear day you can see across Lyme Bay to Portland, Dorset.

There are several winding slopes and steps that take you down through Rock Walk Gardens, which contain semi-tropical plants towards Goodrington Sands. The promenade, lined with colourful rows of beach huts, stretches along the coastline with the coast path at the south end leading onwards to Saltern Cove, a designated marine local nature reserve. At Goodrington you will find the Seashore Centre, a great information point promoting the local wildlife, marine environment and Global Geopark. Reach Outdoors in partnership with Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust runs an outdoor adventure base for all ages from here with activities including sunset kayak trips, coasteering and rock-pooling. 

Returning to Paignton Harbour, catch a boat trip to the picturesque fishing town of Brixham for stunning coastal views across the Bay and towards Berry Head’s majestic 60m high promontory and Napoleonic Forts. From the harbour follow signs to Berry Head Nature Reserve, a striking Devonian limestone landmark and a hot spot for bird watching with unrivalled views. This is part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and South West Coast Path and due to the enviable mild micro-climate, the English Riviera Global Geopark has excellent air quality and clean, sheltered waters which attract a wonderful array of flora and fauna.

You can find out more about the 32 individual geo sites on the English Riviera here.   

2. Beacon Cove to Meadfoot Beach

Difficulty - Moderate walk

This lovely scenic walk begins at Millennium Bridge at Torquay Harbour, and through Beacon Cove, once known as the Ladies Bathing Cove and a favourite swimming spot of Agatha Christie. There are stunning views to take in as you follow the coastal path, passing The Imperial Hotel, perched elegantly on the cliffside with Peaked Tor Cove nestled behind. At the top of the steps you can see an old wartime Mine Watcher’s post where mines used to be detonated and there is also an old pill box which now hosts a local colony of Horseshoe Bats. As you ascend the path you will have a breathtaking view of London Bridge Arch, a limestone natural sea arch that has developed over time.

Onwards through the woodland area and the winding footpath leading towards Daddyhole Plain there are plenty of resting places to take in more spectacular views of the bay.

Daddyhole Plain is one of only three limestone plateaux on the English Riviera. Look out for a number of rare plants including white rock rose and ivy broomrape, a reddish purple plant with cream flowers which flourish in this spot.

Consider a short break at the Headland Hotel, originally built as a private home for the Russian Romanoff family, for a refreshing drink or lunch and to take in the dramatic coastal views before continuing on to Meadfoot Beach with its rocky, sandy and shingle cliffs. You can return either by bus or on foot by following Meadfoot Sea Road back to Torquay harbour.

This walk has some steep slopes and steps which might not be suitable for the less mobile.

3. Torre Abbey Sands to Cockington. 

Difficulty - Family friendly, moderate walk

With the sea on your left follow the Torquay coast road towards Paignton. Pass The Grand Hotel and The Livermead House Hotel and turn right onto Cockington Lane. Beyond the roundabout you will see a gate leading into the water meadows, an enchanting one mile woodland walk which leads to the picturesque thatched village of Cockington.

Weavers Cottage Tea Shoppe, an 18th Century cottage in the heart of this traditional English village is a great place to stop and sample the delicious Devon Cream teas and homemade cakes on offer, served in a tranquil walled courtyard garden.

Continue on to the award-winning 450 acre Cockington Country Park, managed by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, and enjoy the pretty ornamental gardens and lakes. Well behaved dogs are welcome here too with some areas displaying signs to keep dogs on a lead.  Cockington Country Park has received the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy, Green Flag Award, an accolade which it has retained 23 times since its launch, one of only 5 sites in the whole of the UK to do so.  The Green Flag Award is given for high environmental standards, being beautifully maintained and having excellent visitor facilities.

A five mile woodland trek will take you through Scadson Woods towards Occombe Farm, on the outskirts of Paignton. This working farm is open daily throughout the year and has a nature trail, children’s activities and a farm shop. Complete your day out with a bite to eat in the cafe which serves delicious, locally sourced food before making your return journey. Buses run regularly from Occombe Farm car park to Torquay, Paignton or Brixham.

4. Brixham Harbour to Berry Head.

Difficulty - family friendly, moderate walk

This walk begins at the picturesque harbourside in Brixham and takes you onwards to the marina and Breakwater Beach. The gentle level walk along the breakwater leads to a lighthouse and then a ten minute walk to Shoalstone Pool. Consider stopping and taking a dip at this charming outdoor seawater swimming pool on the seafront, once a popular bathing spot during Victorian times. There’s Shoals Brixham too, a cafe on the lido offering a range of excellent coffees and refreshing beers, ciders and spirits as well as locally sourced fish dishes.

The coast path is next to Shoalstone Pool and the road past the Berry Head Hotel will lead you uphill to the spectacular Berry Head Nature Reserve. This is the area’s most important wildlife site and a UNESCO Global Geopark, one of only seven in the country. There are some dramatic panoramic views across the English Riviera and beyond from here.  

Most of the route is level with good footpaths along the way leading to a Napoleonic Fort, a visitors centre and the award-winning Guardhouse Cafe.

The Guardhouse Cafe offers traditional cafe breakfasts and lunches with a wide selection of homemade specials using locally-sourced ingredients, seasonal specials and a great selection of local beers and ciders. The cafe has won many awards in recent years including Gold for ‘best cafe in the South West of England’ at the 2018 South West Tourism Awards. Family events are organised throughout the year, and children will love the ice creams sold from the cafe’s retro bicycle.

5. Ansteys Cove Circular

Difficulty - Moderate Walk, with some steep and rugged sections

This walk starts at the award winning visitor attraction, Kents Cavern in Wellswood, Torquay with a lower path that takes you through a woodland area running alongside the very popular Ilsham Valley green. Arriving at the north end of Meadfoot Beach take in the gorgeous views across the bay and Thatcher’s Rock, an island inhabited only by guillemot. Follow the winding coast path up to Ilsham Marine Drive, an exclusive residential area displaying a vast array of contemporary detached homes with breathtaking views of the bay. There is a very pleasant sloping grassy stretch here with ample seating to stop for a while, admire the scenery and maybe take some selfies. Thatcher Point and Hope’s Nose, an area of protruding coastline with limestone rocks and fossils and a curving bay can only be accessed on foot, making it a favourite spot of keen walkers, nature lovers and anglers.

Continue along the route to join The Bishop’s Walk through woodlands heading towards Anstey’s Cove. This walk is named after Henry Phillpotts, Bishop of Exeter who owned the mansion of Bishopstowe, now the Palace Hotel, and there are striking cliffside views along the way. Ansteys Cove can be seen through the trees as you approach it with the headland of Walls Hill and sculpted point of Long Quarry Point appearing.

Take a detour down the hill to charming Anstey's Cove and enjoy a refreshing drink at Ansteys Cove Beach Cafe before cutting across the playing fields towards Wellswood and complete your circular walk with a bite to eat in The Kents, a family friendly pub offering a beer garden, range of lunchtime and evening meals, real ales, wines and lagers.

6. The Agatha Christie Mile

Difficulty - Easy, family friendly, heritage trail walk

The world's best-selling crime writer, Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and this fascinating heritage walk is a must for her fans. It takes you to some of the places on Agatha’s Riviera that were inspirational in her life and works. Pick up the free trail leaflet at the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre and use your sleuthing skills to find the seven unique plaques on display.

Start at The Imperial Hotel on Park Hill Road, Torquay. The opulent, Victorian hotel was a favourite of Agatha’s as she enjoyed many social functions there. Further down the hill you will pass Beacon Cove, previously known as the Ladies Bathing Cove. Agatha was a regular visitor to this tiny shingle beach and famously almost drowned at this spot.

The Royal Torbay Yacht Club stands opposite, where Agatha’s father was a prominent member and frequent visitor.

From the clocktower walk up the hill to Babbacombe Road to Torquay Museum and the country’s only dedicated Agatha Christie Gallery.  

Head back down to The Strand and over to Palk Street where you’ll find the handcrafted bronze bust of the author, marking her centenary year. Close by is The Pavilion, once a thriving art nouveau styled theatre and concert hall where Archie Christie proposed to Agatha.

Follow the promenade along to the delightful Princess Gardens with its’ newly refurbished Grade II Listed fountain and Princess Pier, Agatha’s favourite roller skating spot. Take a well earned break at Pier Point Restaurant and Bar where you’ll find a wide range of traditional British favourites alongside continental dishes on the menu.

Travel across Torquay’s iconic spiral white bridge to Torre Abbey Museum and the Potent Plants Garden, inspired by Agatha’s life and stories with interesting common plants that may cure or kill, on display.

Complete the Agatha Christie Mile with afternoon tea at The Grand Hotel, the site of Agatha’s honeymoon to Archie and adjacent to Torquay Railway Station.

You can also start the trail in reverse, at The Grand Hotel and finish at the Imperial Hotel!

7. The John Musgrave Heritage Trail

Difficulty - challenging walk

The John Musgrave Heritage Trail is a 35-mile walk created by The Rambler's Association and named in memory of a former chairman and walk leader.

This walk is great if you’re fascinated by local heritage and culture and it takes in parts of Torbay, South Hams and Teignbridge. It is split into four sections taking in coast, creeks, castles and countryside and can be walked over a series of days or completed in one go for the undaunted and more hardy travellers.

The four sections are Maidencombe to Cockington (11 miles), Cockington to Totnes (9.5 miles), Totnes to Dittisham (9 miles) and Greenway to Brixham (5.5 miles) with some parts joining the South West Coast Path.

There are many historical places to see along the way including Maidencombe Manor, first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 with its origins in the Saxon settlement of Devon from the 8th century onwards.  

A great place to stop for a drink or snack whilst on the Greenway to Brixham section of the walk is Churston Manor, a spectacular 17th century manor house set in 2 acres of stunning countryside, situated in the historic village of Churston Ferrers.    

The trail ends in the quaint fishing town of Brixham by the replica of Francis Drake’s Golden Hind and a statue of William of Orange who landed there in 1688.

A trail booklet is available to buy from the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre.

8. Broadsands to Churston Circular

Difficulty - moderate walk

This charming walk starts at Broadsands Beach, Paignton and takes in the atmospheric sight of Dartmouth Steam Railway trains passing leisurely over Brunel’s railway viaduct on the way.

Follow the coast path as it continues around to Churston Point towards the sheltered shingle beach at Elberry Cove. You’ll be able to spot the remains of Lord Churston’s seawater bath house at the far end of the beach, also a favourite bathing place of Agatha Christie. Onwards through Elberry, Marridge Woods and the Grove Woods, where the woodland area is extensive and includes ruined limekilns and some forestry tracks. Taking the route down to beautiful Churston Cove and to the village of Churston Ferrers.

A great place to visit for lunch is the The Railway Inn on the Dartmouth Road, next to the picturesque train station at Churston. Locally sourced produce is served on the menu with a variety of fish, shellfish and mussels from Brixham and the local waters.  

The return walk crosses the golf links at Churston Golf Club, which runs east to west from Churston towards Brixham, as you head back down to Broadsands Beach to complete your circular walk.

9. Brunel Woods, Torquay

Difficulty - easy, short walk

This walk is steeped in local history with stunning woodland landscapes and views.

Brunel Woods at Watcombe was acquired by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who planned to retire there and had commissioned the design of a garden and a house, the latter of which was never built. The garden became woodland, with many of the species and features of Brunel’s time still existing today. The site is now managed by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, and contains a network of paths and some impressive views to admire.

Whilst meandering around the site look out for the 58 ft commemorative totem sculpture in the woods known as ‘Brunel’s Dance’, dedicated to the great man.

The Thatched Tavern at Maidencombe is within easy walking distance of Brunel Woods and definitely worth a visit. The thatched building, in the heart of the village, dates back to the 17th century and has a lovely beer garden as well as open fires to enjoy during the cooler evenings.

Dogs are welcome at both sites.

10. The Big One

Difficulty - challenging walk

Why not plan to walk the 22-miles around the Bay, following the South West Coast Path and passing through Babbacombe, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham?

The South West Coast Path, originally created by coastguards looking out for smugglers, is now a popular destination for visitors who enjoy exploring the outdoors, taking in the fresh West Country air and meeting other keen ramblers and walkers along the route. The health benefits of being active and taking regular walks are well known, plus many areas are dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible too.

It’s the UK’s longest marked footpath and covers 630 miles of the West Country’s glorious coastline. The route is broken into 17 suggested walks ranging from short walks and gentle strolls to long distance, and you’ll see the iconic acorn image and coloured arrows displayed to indicate a stretch of land or path to guide you along.

If you’re planning this epic outdoor walking adventure you might like to consider purchasing “Walks Along the South West Coast Path - Exmouth to Dartmouth" from the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre to accompany you.

You’ll need plenty of breaks along the way so why not start off with a short but fairly strenuous walk down to Three Degrees West, Oddicombe Beach for a hearty breakfast; followed by coffee at the Shoreline at Paignton Beach and finish your journey by sampling some of the finest sustainable seafood served at Rockfish, Brixham as part of England’s Seafood Coast.

The South West Coast Path website has all the details including what to look out for along the way as well as seasonal, family and pub walk suggestions to tempt you further.