Wonwell to Westcombe beach

Having parked our car at the pretty village of Kingston we set off up a quiet road towards Wonwell.  Soon we turned off the road and walked across a couple of fields.  There was magnificent views across south Devon to Dartmoor beyond from these fields.  We then entered Furzdown Woods and went down the narrow path to Wonwell beach.  The tide was quite low so people were walking across the River Erme at this point.

Wonwell Beach

Looking up the River Erme

We then walked along the South West Coast path, which went up and down as it came to various coves.  Before long we could see across to Burgh Island and Bigbury.  And the views were beautiful.

Eventually we approached Westcombe Beach.  First we had to negotiate the zig zag path down to the beach, that was very steep and long.  We were glad to stop at the beach and eat our lunch, sheltered from the wind, with the sun beating down on us.

We were pleased that we did not have to climb up the path on the other side of the beach, which looked just as tough as the path downwards.  Instead we walked by the side of the river up the valley.  It was a muddy bridle path which led gradually upwards to Kingston and back to our car.

Tregantle Fort

Another showery day, so we decided not to go too far in case it rained and we were not able to walk.  As it was still August we were able to walk across the firing range in front of Tregantle Fort instead of taking the other path along the road.  As the weather was not that good we were able to park by the gate to the firing range.

Initially we walked down to the beach.  It was nearing high tide so we could not walk far along the beach and it was too windy to sit and watch those brave enough to go in the sea. Kite surfers were doing the best in the conditions.

We then climbed back to the top and followed the path through the firing range in front of the fort.  Once we came to the other path we continue to walk in a westerly direction for a while.  The views in both directions were wonderful, although the would have been even better if it had been a sunny day.  Dark clouds were gathering so we decided we had chanced the weather long enough so we turned back.

The view westward

The view eastward

Whitsand Bay

A pleasant, easy walk.  It would probably have been even more spectacular at low tide when you could see more of the beaches at Whitsand Bay.

Little Dartmouth to Dartmouth

The weather forecast was for showers, becoming heavier, but the sky was blue so we decided to take a chance on going for a walk.  We drove towards Dartmouth from Totnes, but turned on to the A379 just before getting into the town and looked for signs to Little Dartmouth where we knew there was a NT car park.  Initially we could not find it and when we approached Stoke Fleming we knew we had missed it so we turned around and took the turning to Dartmouth Castle and then followed the direction we thought it should be in (ie right at next junction) and soon came to the car park.  We drank our coffee in the car looking down the coast with a beautiful view of Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands.

We then headed out down a path marked to the coastal path.  To begin with there was a steepish slope down a field but and the coastal path path went up and down a lot, but the views were magnificent.

Eventually, after 2.5 miles, we came to Dartmouth Castle where we stopped for lunch.  Revived we decided to walk a further mile into Dartmouth.  It was regatta week and we anticipated there would be a lot of activity on the water, but there was just the usual sort of traffic.

After browsing round a couple of bookshops we headed back.  Just after the Castle we took the bridle path rather than the coastal path.  Initially there was a long hill upwards, but once at the top is was fairly flat all the way back to the car.  The car to Dartmouth Castle along the coastal path was 2.5 miles while the return journey was 1 mile.  However, the return journey was mainly on paths between hedges so not so pretty, but not so tiring.

It had been a lovely walk and we had only had one shower and that one only lasted a few minutes and we hardly got wet at all.

Stoke Point

Having parked the car at the National Trust car park inland from Stoke Point we walked down to the coastal path.  This was a very steep path and we determined to find another way back to the car!  We headed eastward and there were beautiful views out to sea and along the coast to Bigbury and beyond.

The path was wide and good and after a while went through woods with plenty of butterflies around.  The path was fairly flat and we slowly went down to the edge of Stoke Beach and then gradually walked up towards Beacon Hill.  We then came to a steep path downwards.  There a path inland that looked as if would skirt this steep hill, but we did not have a map with us so we decided to turn round at this point.

When we came to the pathway back to the carpark we chose to walk on further to the next point and then cut up the hill gradually back to the car park.  A much better way than the downward path.

Yanadon Down

We parked the car at Lowry Cross, just outside Dousland and walked across Yanadon Down.  We were supposed to walk around the Down until we came to the dismantled railway.  However, we set off in slightly the wrong direction and walked to the highest point of the Down then headed down in the direction of the railway line.  There were beautiful views across Dartmoor in all directions.  When we came to a broad path we  assumed this was the old railway and we walked this path but eventually this linked up with the railway line.  Soon we could see Burrator Reservoir below us.

The old railway line continued through woodland and we continued on it until it we came to the road, which led us back to the car park.

This is a walk that would be glorious in the autumn when the trees were in many different colours.

Whitsand Bay Part 1

Having waved goodbye to my good friend Bunty at lunchtime, we only had the afternoon to walk, but the weather was too good to miss the opportunity to get out in the fresh air.  With only a short amount of time we chose to walk near to Plymouth and drove to the far end of Whitsand Bay.  We parked in the small car park near Wiggle and took the SW Coast Path westward.  We were linking up with the walk we had done a couple of weeks ago around Rame Head.

The path gradually went down the cliffs and then up.  Then it was down then up again and again.  Not an easy walk although the paths were not too bad.  At no time did we go all the way down to the beach but the climb up seemed long.  The view was excellent, but did not change significantly as we walked along.

We eventually came up to the road by the Cliff Top View cafe and we were glad to stop there for a cup of tea.  Although we had only done a small portion of the path around Whitsand Bay we decided to finish there.  We walked back along the road rather than the up and down coastal path and it only took us 20 minutes to return to our car, whereas we had taken 40 minutes on the outward journey!

Not a walk that we would repeat.

Rame Head

This morning we drove to the car park on Rame Head next to the coastguard station.  From here you could see both up and down the coast and visibility was so good the Eddystone Lighthouse looked quite close!  We followed the coastal path towards Whitsand Bay and the views were spectacular.  Near Polhawn Fort there was a hedge full of wild flowers, making the view down the coast even more attractive.

When we reached the coast road we left the coastal path intending to cut across country to Kingsand to do a circular walk around Rame Head.  The walk instructions told us to continue down a road and then take a path to the left.  We walked quite along way until we came to a left turn and when we walked up there we realised we had come to far and were going in the wrong direction.  We retraced our steps, went across a couple of fields and came back onto our original path where we followed our instincts and went down a footpath on the right.  This turned out to be correct and we were soon walking down to Kingsand, with a view of Plymouth Sound and breakwater.

After stopping in Cawsand for lunch, watching sailors and children enjoying the sea, we climbed up the coastal path along Rame Head.  The view out to sea was obscured by trees most of the time, but we had tantalisingly beautiful glimpses at time with yahts with white sails contrasting with the sparkling blue sea.  I would like to repeat this walk when the trees were not in leaf as I am sure it would be glorious.

At one point we heard rustling in the trees beside us and just caught sight of a fawn running through the woodland.

When we arrived back at the tip of Rame Head we  went out to the derelict chapel on the edge of  headland, from where you could see in all directions.

Antony

The forecasters predicted heavy showers for Sunday afternoon, but it was sunny so we decided to chance the weather and go for a walk around Antony.

The walled gardens were absolutely beautiful.  English summer gardens at their best.

Having explored the formal gardens we then walked down to the Woodland Garden and followed the 'blue' path.  Last time we were here a lot of this walk was closed due to the fear of disease in rhododendron, but we were able to walk much further this time. We realised how many camelias we missed seeing.  Hopefully next year when they are all out we will be able to see them. It was a very pleasant walk with hydrangeas out in many places.

Princetown

The forecast today was for showers, but the sun was shining so we decided to chance a walk on Dartmoor.  The drive to Princetown was beautiful with Dartmoor ponies and sheep and cattle beside the road.  But by the time we arrived the clouds had gathered and it started to rain.  We sat in the car until the shower past by then got out and started to walk down the dismantled railway line.  This was a good path, although a bit stony in places.  The views were fantastic and we could see for miles, out to the coast as well as across Dartmoor. Unfortunately the wind got up and then it started to rain and there was no cover.  However it did not last long and our clothes soon dried out afterwards.  But we felt we should not do the whole walk recommended (5 miles) but we turned back after walking just over half an hour and retraced our steps back to Princetown.  We will definitely be back another day to do the whole walk.

After a refreshing cup of tea and scone we explored Princetown.  The craft centre was excellent.  We particularly liked the photos of Rob Hutchinson (www.dartmoorphotos.co.uk) and the textile work was very inspiring and made me want to be creative!