2023 will see two new Walking Festivals. The Spring Walking Festival will be from 22nd-29th April 2023, and the Autumn Walking Festival from 23rd-30th September 2023. The full Spring Walking Festival programme has been announced, with over 24 coastal walks ranging from from a short half-mile stroll underground in one of Europe’s oldest prehistoric caves, to a 12-mile hike from Torquay to Brixham following the South West coast path.

Why are there two English Riviera Walking Festivals this year?

It’s no real surprise that last year’s inaugural English Riviera Walking Festival proved such a success, as South Devon’s beautiful bay is the perfect place for a walking holiday. With 22 miles of glorious coastline and some of the best views in the UK, it’s wonderful for exploring on foot. Throw in some fascinating social history, trivia and no doubt a few tall tales from our charismatic guides and it’s no wonder that the organisers have decided to host two festivals this year.
The UK walking festival is a real highlight of the English Riviera’s events programme and features 24 coastal walks that explore just about every aspect of the Bay’s remarkable history and heritage. Most of the routes are circular walks and include Torquay walks, Paignton walks, Brixham walks and Berry Head walks, with several following the spectacular South West Coast Path. If the thought of rambling in South Devon appeals, then this is the festival for you.

Explore a UNESCO Global Geopark

Such is the significance of the remarkable geology of the English Riviera, it was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007. For anyone interested in the geological journey that helped to shape our Bay over hundreds of millions of years, Nick Powe, the director of Kents Cavern will be leading a UNESCO Geopark Coastal Walk, which starts at the caves and takes in some jaw-dropping vistas along the spectacular Bishop’s Walk. This Torquay coastal walk proved to be one of our most popular guided nature walks last year.

Unearth the history of the English Riviera

History lovers will also be spoilt for choice, with a number of guided walks exploring the Bay’s fascinating past over the centuries. Take a step back in time and join the Pirates, Smugglers and Explorers Walk around Brixham, which promises to uncover the fishing town’s more colourful past. Or join the Torquay Through Time Walk that traces the evolution of the town from a humble fishing community to the richest town in Britain.

Explore England's Seafood Coast 

Two of the Bay’s most important industries remain fishing and tourism. With this in mind, the England’s Seafood Coast Walk looks at Brixham’s fishing traditions and how the pretty little town became the largest fishing port in England. Meanwhile, The Great British Seaside Walk takes people on a coastal perambulation, discovering the history behind some of the things we most associate with seaside holidays, from beach huts to deckchairs and saucy postcards to 99 Flakes.   

Discover famous authors and their inspiration from the English Riviera

A number of famous authors and poets have visited the Bay over the years and the Writer’s on the Riviera Walk introduces some of these literary luminaries, including Mary Shelly, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lord Tennyson, TS Eliot and Charles Dickens. The latter described Torquay as “a pretty place... a mixture of Hastings and Tunbridge Wells and little bits of the hills about Naples". Of course, there’s probably someone in Naples right now, thinking ‘this place reminds me of the English Riviera…’
Torquay’s most famous literary daughter, Agatha Christie is also well represented in the festival, with several walks taking in her life in the Bay and the inspirations behind many of her most famous novels. Walking in Agatha Christie’s Footsteps is a brilliant introduction to the Queen of Crime, while for something more offbeat, Swimming with Agatha Christie is a celebration of the author’s love of sea swimming and takes you to some of her favourite beaches.

Is the English Riviera Walking Festival dog friendly?

Most of the walking tours are dog friendly, while there is even a Wagging Tails Trail that will especially appeal to our four-legged friends and their owners. Taking in Churston Woods before dropping down to Broadsands Beach and returning via beautiful Elberry Cove, the walk finishes at Fishcombe Cove, home to the award-winning Fishcombe Cove Café. Here they serve frozen yogurt for dogs as well as their famous dog sausages too! 

Get into the groove with musical walking tours

The walks are very much about being social and many of them finish somewhere where people can enjoy refreshments and a natter afterwards. For example, the Magical Musical Sunset Tour will take you on a journey through some of the songs that were written in, or were inspired by Torbay (hearing the songs played in the relevant locations) before finishing with a drink in Torquay’s oldest hostelry. Or the Ghosts, Ghouls & Goosebumps Walk will take the brave to some of the most haunted places in the Bay, before finishing at the pub – where they are sure to serve spirits!

Can you tackle the South West Coast Path Challenge?

Whilst most of the walks are fairly accessible to the average walker, we are also introducing a more challenging route this year, that takes in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. The South West Coast Path Challenge covers 12 miles over terrain which varies from ‘easy’ to ‘difficult’ and should only be attempted by experienced and fit walkers. But the rewards and kudos will be immense. 

There are lots of other fascinating walks in the programme, all led by experienced local guides who are keen to share the natural beauty and unique history of the area. With this in mind, why not make a weekend of it (or longer) and book your accommodation with us? Spaces are limited for this exclusive walking event and which is without a doubt a fun and informative way of exploring the English Riviera.

More information and to book your Devon walking break: www.rivierawalking.co.uk