11th Feb 2020

New Walks for Exploring the South Devon AONB

Image Credit: Julia Kelland

Following a recent partnership project between South West Cast Path Association (SWCPA) and South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 19 new circular walks have been created for people to enjoy in South Devon each incorporating a section of the Coast Path. This was all made possible by LEADER funding and a posse of volunteers who walked the routes and fed back vital information about the terrain and local facilities.

The walks, which are located between Wembury and Berry Head, take in the stunning and diverse landscape of south Devon. The fact they are circular means you don’t have to retrace your steps you can experience more of the landscape in the time you have available.

There are so many benefits of walking, not just the spectacular views many of which will only ever see on foot, weather permitting! These include better heart and lung fitness, improved management of a range of health conditions, stronger bones and improved balance. It’s not just limited to physical benefits, a good walk also improves mood and sleep quality and reduces stress.

There’s an array of wildlife enroute. You might be lucky enough to spot our resident seals at Peartree Point or Cirl Buntings at various points especially between Start Point and Wembury. The routes also take walkers through busy fishing villages, sleepy hamlets and farmland producing grass fed lamb and beef and veg on the coastal slopes. They offer unrivalled access to the coastline, rich in maritime history and natural beauty.

To help inform walkers about the local area and points of interest along the new routes, 12 interpretation boards have been installed along with 22 smaller signs to help guide people on their way and digital resources accessible via smart phones. We hope that these signs will tempt locals and visitors to explore further afield than usual, spending more time enjoying the unique natural landscape. Along with these routes a further set of walks taking in more of our countryside will be live from Easter onwards.

The South Devon AONB celebrates its Diamond Anniversary this year, having been designated in 1960, so what a great way to celebrate this special landscape. The coastline would look so very different if the area had not become an AONB. Keep an eye on our website for special guided walks we’ll be organising to celebrate the anniversary.

All the routes are available as a downloadable route map onto your device or as a pdf. The additional information includes details of wildlife and heritage.

The routes include:

Kingswear to Froward Point

Kingswear to Greenway

Bantham to Thurlestone

Beesands to Hallsands

Blackpool Sands, Strete and Stoke Fleming circulars

Brixham Headlands

Brownstone, Froward and Coleton

East Portlemouth to Gara Rock

East Prawle to Prawle Point

Hope Cove to Bolberry Down

Kingswear and Waterhead Creek