Templer Way, Teignmouth, South Devon
Walk connecting Dartmoor National Park and the South Devon coast
'The Templer Way is a walking route ... following as closely as possible the line of the Haytor Down Granite Tramways and Stover Canal (Disused), and also the Teign Estuary, linking Haytor on Dartmoor to the sea.' (Source: information board at Ventiford Basin on Stover Canal)
It's a gorgeous walk. Starting at Haytor Rocks, the trail runs down the flank of Dartmoor and past Stover Country Park and Nature Reserve to the River Teign and Estuary (Teignmouth) and connects with the South West Coast Path at Shaldon.
It's also historically very interesting. The trail follows the routes of the Haytor Granite Tramway and Stover Canal which were both used to ship rock and clay around the world. For example, Dartmoor granite was used to build the The National Gallery and British Museum in London.
The name Templer
'Templer' is the name of a local family. James Templer made his initial fortune working for the East India Shipping Company. He bought Stover Estate and negotiated the rights to mine granite from Haytor Quarries. Subsequent members of the Templer family built Haytor Down Granite Tramways and Stover Canal (Disused) to benefit from the granite and ball clay industries.
The route
The Templer Way is shortish at 18m or 29km. It's clearly marked on two Ordnance Survey Explorer maps. Moving west to east, the walk starts on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map and then moves to the Ordnance Survey Explorer 110 'Torquay & Dawlish' map.
The following route description follows the Templer Way from the high ground of Dartmoor down to the coast.
Start near Haytor Quarries walking from Dartmoor to the South Devon coast
Start from one of the car parking areas by the B3387 at Haytor Rocks on Dartmoor. Walk across to Haytor Quarries which is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. There, you'll pick up the tramway. It passes a large chunk of granite with the Templer Way symbol on it. This is the start of the walk.
Follow the tramway along Haytor Down. You cross a minor road and follow the edge of a finger of moorland before arcing around to the top of Yarner Wood. There are plenty of waymarkers with arrows, the name Templer Way and Templer Way symbol as pictured in our photo gallery. The views of Haytor Rocks and the South Devon coast from this upper section of the Templer Way are spectacular. Note that if you start on a sunny morning, the sun will be to the east so your view will be a little obscured by light.
The Templer Way then fringes Yarner Wood and its steep valley before running through open countryside to the border of the National Park. It's easy walking if you are heading from Haytor Down to the coast as it's downhill and the footing is good. The other direction is a bit of a slog.
Leaving Dartmoor National Park and walking to the coast
Leaving Dartmoor National Park, you walk past the House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass and around the back of Bovey Heath in the direction of the busy A38. Having crossed the A38 on the footbridge, the path skirts the beautiful Stover Country Park before connecting with the disused Stover Canal. From there, it heads into Newton Abbot.
The tidal Teign Estuary
The route for the final part of the walk depends on the tide. At low tide, you follow the Templer Way under the A380 and make your way along the south bank of the Teign Estuary to Coombe Cellars. When the tide is coming in, you take a slightly longer route inland via country lanes and across fields to Coombe Cellars. Don't try to walk the estuary route when the water is high as you'll get cut off.
From Coombe Cellars, walk to Shaldon and take the Teignmouth/Shaldon Ferry to Teignmouth River Beach/Back Beach. The finish is another large chunk of granite with the Templer Way symbol on it which is located by the Ship Inn in Teignmouth.
Photo Gallery
