Brixham South West Coast Path Walk, Brixham, South Devon
The South West Coast Path at Brixham
Brixham is one of the UK's most important and beautiful fishing ports at the southern end of Torbay. Follow the South West Coast Path east and then south and you'll leave the busy port and walk high cliffs on your way to the mouth of the River Dart and Estuary. Head west and then north and you walk the coastline of The English Riviera. The latter can be combined with a great boat trip back from Torquay to Brixham.
Walking the South West Coast Path east and south to Dartmouth
From central Brixham, follow the South West Coast Path east past Brixham Marina and Outer Harbour to Brixham Breakwater and Brixham Breakwater Beach. Pass Shoalstone Outdoor Pool and the path skirts Berry Head Hotel before entering Berry Head National Nature Reserve. You climb to Berry Head and Berry Head Forts. The Guardhouse Cafe is within the main fort if you fancy an ice cream or cup of tea.
Continue to Berry Head Car Park by the smaller fort and then walk along the high cliff above St Mary's Bay. The views are spectacular. The path follows the line of the bay until you get to the southern section of Berry Head National Nature Reserve at Sharkham Point.
Walk on high cliffs before a steep descent to the pretty Man Sands (Beach). It's then a tough climb to the cliffs above Long Sands (Beach) and another steep drop to Scabbacombe Sands (Beach). The South West Coast Path climbs steeply again to Scabbacombe Head and loops around to the bottom of the garden at Coleton Fishacre (National Trust). If you've never been, it's a wonderful place.
The path takes you on a particularly pretty stretch of coastline to Brownstone Battery (National Trust) at Froward Point. You are on the coast below the distinctive landmark The Daymark Tower. Continue to Kingswear Castle at the mouth of the River Dart and Estuary. It's then a short walk to Kingswear and Dartmouth.
There are many ways to get back to Brixham. You can walk back the way you came or take a bus. The Dartmouth Steam Railway runs to Paington via stops. You can also take a ferry to Greenway (National Trust) and then walk the John Musgrave Heritage Trail back to the northern end of Brixham. The latter is a particularly nice circular trip.
Walking the South West Coast Path west and north in Torbay and The English Riviera
If you would prefer to explore Torbay and The English Riviera then follow the South West Coast Path west past Churston Cove (Beach) and Elberry Cove (Beach) to the big, grassy field overlooking Broadsands Beach.
Walk along the back of Broadsands Beach and, roughly half way up the beach, turn left and pass under a railway viaduct on which the Dartmouth Steam Railway runs. Turn right almost immediately and follow the train track up to the southern section of Goodrington Sands (Beach). You'll pass South Sands Cafe.
Walk along the seafront and you'll see Splashdown Quaywest ahead of you. Continue past Goodrington Park and the South West Coast Path loops around Roundham Head. There are superb views back down Goodrington Sands (Beach) from the huts that line the southern side of Roundham Head.
You come to Paignton Harbour and the southern section of Paignton Beach with Paignton Pier ahead of you. Walk the seafront behind Paignton Beach to Preston Sands (Beach) at its northern end.
You then walk along the busy A3022 past Livermead Sands (Beach) and Corbyn's Beach to Torquay. Note that the superb Torre Abbey is by the A379 where it meets the A3022.
Walk along the seafront above Torre Abbey Sands (Beach) and you come to Torquay Princess Pier and Torquay Princess Gardens with glorious views across Torquay Harbour and Marina.
We'd recommend taking a ferry back to Brixham.
Photo Gallery
