Around Burrator

We have frequently visited Burrator Reservoir and walked around part of it using the quiet road that winds around it.  However, today was hot and sunny so we wanted a shaded walk so decided to try walking around the reservoir in the woodland that surrounds it.  We parked at the dam and immediately saw we were in for a very pretty walk as the water was sparkling and very blue.

We started walking towards Burrator House.  When we reached that gate that leads to the woodland path there was a sign saying the path was closed for repairs.  We continued walking on the road and soon came to a stile where we could enter the reservoir surrounds.  There was a definite path around the water, although there were no signs.  The path was generally good, although at times there were tree roots on the path and other times it was stony.  We were able to walk right down to the water edge and there were lovely views around the reservoir.

At one point we came upon a family of dartmoor ponies.

At various times as we walked we came upon patches of foxgloves that brightened the environment.

After walking along one bank of the reservoir we started walking along a river until we came to Norsworthy Bridge.  Here we had to climb over another stile to get onto the road.  Having crossed the bridge we had to walk along the road for a short while before going over another stile into the woodland again.  The path on this side of the reservoir was not so good and sometimes muddy.  At one  point we had to scramble down a small bank and cross a stream.

The walk took 2 hours in total and it was only in the last third that we came to seats.  There were several at the top end of the reservoir where there was a compacted path, and a lovely view.

The path came out to the road just before the dam so we did not have far to walk on the road before we were back at our car.  This is definitely a walk we will do again.

Cann Wood

We have now lived in Plymouth for two and a half years.  During this time we have found many lovely places to walk, some close by and some further afield.  We often go to Plym Bridge and have seen a footpath up to Cann Woods but we have never explored this woods.  Today was a hot day and we only had a morning free to walk so we thought this would be a good place to go as it is only just outside Plymouth.

We chose to follow the walk which the Forestry Commission have marked out with blue posts, which was 2.75 miles.  It did not take us all the way down to the River Plym, but as that was in a valley it meant we did not have a steep climb up.  The walked was well marked which was as well as there were lots of paths criss-crossing the woods.  Whenever we came to a junction there was a post and then one a little way inside the correct path to reassure us we were on the right way.

There were lovely views at various parts of the walk, across the Plym valley to Estover, out to the moors, to the china clay workings etc. There were not many flowers to be seen except for foxgloves.

Foxgloves among new trees planted, with view of Dartmoor

Unfortunately the walk was not in as much in shade as we had hoped.  Some of the paths were amongst trees but most were in the open.  Normally this would not be a problem but today we would have appreciated a cooler walk.

This is definitely somewhere we will return to, next time we must follow the path to Plymbridge Woods and there is also the hill fort to view.

Start Bay

In the past we have walked from Starcross to Blackpool Sand along Start Bay.  Today was a lovely summer's day so we thought we would walk along more of Start Bay.

We drove to Beesands and were very impressed by this fishing village by the sea.  There were people fishing from the beach and boats in the bay.  Some fish were drying at the top of the beach.

We walked along the path at the top of the beach til the end and then climbed to walk to Torcross.  It was a steep climb, but the view half way up encouraged us to keep going.

After a while the path became steps and then levelled off before winding down to Torcross.  There were hedges both sides of the path and overhanging above it and unfortunately there were lots of insects flying around.

As we approached Torcross there were spectacular views along Slapton Sands.

Having taken a rest at Torcross we walked back to Beesands where we had fish and chips at the restaurant on the seafront.  You could taste that the fish was freshly caught.  Once refreshed and replenished we walked on towards Hallsands.  Although a climb up from Beesands this was not as steep as in the opposite direction and we soon reached Hallsands.  This was another small village with beach but without the facilities at Beesands.

Hallsands

View on walk back from Hallsands

Noss Mayo and Revelstoke Drive

It was a fine summer's day and we wanted an easy walk not far from Plymouth.  The walk from Noss Mayo, along the Yealm estuary and around the coast along the Revelstone Drive to Warren point, seemed to be a good idea.  We chose to park at the National Trust car park at Warren point and walked down the path onto the coastal path and walked towards the mouth of the River Yealm.

In the past we have done this walk in the other direction, starting at Noss Mayo.  As we started out we noticed the wonderful view, over to Cawsand and as far as Rame Head.  We had not noticed these views when walking the other way around.

There were foxgloves growing at the side of the path and after walking for a while we came upon a purple field of foxgloves.

This is a very good part of the south west coast path, with beautiful views and a fairly flat path.  Once we reached the mouth of the River Yealm we also had sight of the yahts.  After walking up the river Yealm we came to some benches so we stopped for our lunch, with a beautiful view.

We continued walking on to Noss Mayo and then walked up the hill past the tennis courts.  This road became a track and ended up, after a long upward climb by the entrance to the car park.  This was the only hill on the walk.

This 4.5 mile walk is described at  http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/walksdb/91/

Coleton Fishacre

It was a lovely sunny, summer day so we thought we would see what the gardens at Coleton Fishacre were looking like.  When we visited in March we were rather disappointed as there was not many flowers to see.  However, I realised this was more of a summer garden than spring garden and today's visit proved this to be true.  The gardens looked spectacular with a riot of colour.  There were lots of rododendrons and lovely colour beside the pools and stream that runs through the garden.

Plym Bridge Peregrine Falcons

The beauty of living in Plymouth is that there are so many beautiful places close by that we can easily visit.  Yesterday we only had a couple of free hours but that was time to go for a walk in Plym Bridge Woods.

From the car park by the bridge we walked along the cycle path until we reached the Cann viaduct where a National Trust worker was on hand with telescopes to enable us to see the peregrine falcon nesting in Cann Quarry.  The female bird was sitting on the nest, so we were not able to see the two chicks.

We then walked down the steps at the side of the viaduct and to see the weir.

We then walked back to Plym Bridge along the side of the canal.  This path is closer to the River Plym and it was good to take this path after not being able to use it before this year as it has been so wet and muddy.

When we reached Plym Bridge we crossed the river and walked up the other river bank for a while until we had to return home.

Cothele, bluebells and rhododendrons

Having walked 8 miles yesterday I felt too tired to drive far or attempt a strenuous walk, so we decided to take the train to Calstock and walk from there to Cothele House.  This is a lovely train ride as the line travels alongside the River Tamar most of the way.  As we approached Calstock we could see bluebells in the fields and apple blossom in orchards which is what we would see more of at Cothele.

From Calstock station it was a steep hill down to the river Tamar which we then walked along until we came to Cothele Woods.  The direct path to Cothele (which is about 1.25 miles from the station) goes up at the side of the wood, but we chose to carry up the Danescombe Valley as I wanted to see the bluebells in Cothele Woods.  After walking past the derelict Sawmill we took a path on the left that went uphill but away from the River Tamar.  To begin with this was a gentle incline but it then became steeper as we made our way to the top of the woods.  However, as we climbed we could see the bluebells.

The bluebells were not as spectacular as those in Wembury Woods.  It looked as if some of them were past their best.

At the top of the hill we turned left on to a flat wide path called Lady's Walk and continued along this until coming to a small path that went down to the main path from Calstock to Cothele.  As we approached Cothele we could see lots of colour from rhododendrons in the Valley Garden.  However, we decided to first visit the orchard to see the apple blossom.  Many of the trees had finished flowering but there were still a few at their best.

All the gardens around the house were looking lovely, particularly the beds on the terraced gardens.

After a delicious tea in the garden of the restaurant we went to explore the Valley Garden.  There were lots of large rhodoendrons trees giving bold colour and  orange bottle brush shrubs giving a bright contrast  against the purple, pink, red and white rhododendrons.

From the Valley Gardens we walked back to Calstock, this time taking the direct route.  As we were a little early for the train when we reached Calstock we continued on to the quay where there was a festival going on.  We browsed the stalls and listened to the music before heading up the hill to the station.