hallsands to blackpool sands

May 24, 2025 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

wednesday, 14TH MAY 2025

Start location: Hallsands (SX 81574 38494)

End point: Blackpool Sands (SX 85484 47843)

Map: Explorer OL20

It looks like I'm in for another day of beautiful spring weather today.

Dartmouth high tide 07:58

Dartmouth low tide 13:41

I walk down from the village car park, past a tennis court, and down to reach Hallsands.

I amble along the path through Hallsands, enjoying all of the spring wildflowers.

The path continues to Greenstraight Beach and then on to Tinsey Head.

I enjoy the wildflowers on Tinsey Head before dropping down to Beesands.

I walk along the road at Beesands to reach the Cricket Inn, birthplace of the Rolling Stones, before continuing on my way past St Andrew's Church.

I wander along the beach at Beesands before heading off towards Torcross.

beesands

I climb up the wooded slopes of the cliff where I photograph the wildflowers and come across a clump of early purple orchids.

A short walk takes me to Torcross where I climb down steps, admiring the view across Slapton Sands, to reach the promenade. I walk past the Start Bay Inn and the Sherman tank next to the car park, honouring the memory of servicemen.

I drop down onto Slapton Sands and trudge along the sandy and shingly beach, although there is not much in the way of sand today.

I reach the picnic site at Strete Gate and it is suddenly quite busy. My boots are full of pebbles so I empty them next to the toilet block by the car park.

I continue on the path climbing up towards Strete where the verges are covered in wildflowers.

I pass a sign pointing up the bridleway where I used to come down onto Slapton Sands.The path continues upwards away from Strete Gate picnic site and I pass a bench with magnificent views over Slapton Sands. The bench is dedicated to the memory of Philip and Mary Carter. Thank you Philip and Mary.

“In memory of Philip and Mary Carter. Tireless campaigners for South West Coast Path and founders of the South West Coast Path Association.”

It's rather nice on this newish section and I enjoy the wildflowers here and walk below some HUGE echiums.

I briefly follow the A379 into Strete where I pass the Parish Church of St. Michael, Strete Post Office and Stores, Strete Chapel and the King's Arms but everything seems to be covered in scaffolding.

A sign at a junction tells me that Torcross is three miles away and that Blackpool Sands is one mile away.

A rather circuitous route follows fields and paths heading towards Blackpool Sands and there are plenty of wildflowers to enjoy.

I now have some lovely views over Blackpool Sands. My camera is playing up though and most of the photos from here are over exposed. I’ve had this new camera a couple of years now but I still can’t work out what it is doing at times.

I cross a steep grassy valley and have some lovely views over a beach I don’t know but must be Landcombe Cove. You can definitely get down there as I can see footprints in the sand.

I wander down Widewell Lane smothered in wildflowers and I have a lovely view over Blackpool Sands.

I wander downhill to the beach and have a potter around the sandy, shingly beach before wandering back to the Blackpool Sands Cafe where my lift awaits. Only it doesn’t because the car park machines are out of order so you have to buy a ticket online even though there is no phone signal around here so my lift is driving from Torcross as soon as I reach here.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

red hot poker
bladder campion
gladioli
iris
alexanders
hogweed
three-cornered garlic
red campion
bird’s-foot trefoil
common dog-violet
scarlet pimpernel
gorse
germander speedwell
primroses
bluebells
greater stitchwort
herb robert
ribwort plantain
red admiral butterfly
navelwort
early purple orchids
foxgloves
wild garlic
comfrey
white valerian
honesty
green alkanet
red valerian
herb bennet
echiums
cow parsley
garlic mustard

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 8 miles which amounts to 22311 steps. It has taken me 4 hours. The weather has been beautiful although my camera has been playing up around Torcross and Blackpool Sands. Nine out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

MAP

salcombe to hallsands

May 24, 2025 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

tuesday, 13TH MAY 2025

Start location: Salcombe (SX 74046 39082)

End point: Hallsands (SX 81574 38494)

Map: Explorer OL20

Today's weather forecast for today and the rest of the week looks to be fantastic.

Start Point high tide 07:15

Start Point low tide 13:12

I start the day back in Salcombe and walk around to the Ferry Inn. It is very confusing walking through Salcombe but I eventually make my way through and climb down to the jetty where I catch the ferry over from Salcombe to East Portlemouth. The ferry turns up straight away and I’m the only passenger. The ferry fare is £2.70. The ferry turns up so quickly that I don’t really have any time to take any decent photographs.

I come ashore at East Portlemouth where I have lovely views back to Salcombe.

I turn right and amble along the road enjoying the wildflowers and immediately come across a clump of stumpy echiums.

I follow a minor road to reach Mill Bay, where I enjoy fine views back across to Salcombe.

A mass of sand from the beach has blown onto the road. The road verges are covered in wildflowers. I come across masses of a bell like plant which I don’t come across very often but is the three-cornered garlic (allium triquetrum) and I come across it throughout my walk today.

mill bay

I walk along the cliffs along Portlemouth Down towards Gara Rock. There are bluebells everywhere! I also come across a lone early purple orchid.

I come across a small pearl-bordered fritillary and I will continue to come across them throughout the day.

I reach a plaque commemorating the centenary of the Salcombe lifeboat disaster, when the RNLI lifeboat William and Emma capsized off Salcombe Bar with the loss of thirteen crew on the 27th of October 1916.

I have lovely views ahead of me towards Gara Rock and Gammon Head.

The paths are covered in foxgloves just coming into flower. I love foxgloves!

I come across stonechats clacking away in the gorse.

I come across common bird's-foot trefoil, a scabious of some kind and something I don't recognize. I've come across it at home as well but it doesn't seem to feature in my wildflower book.

I spot a beach with some people on it. The beach doesn't seem to be marked on my map but is known as Seacombe Sand and a very nice place it is.

seacombe sand

As I leave Seacombe Sand I come across large clumps of seathrift and bloody crane’s-bill.

I cross a footbridge and enter West Prawle, Higher House and Borough farms and there are foxgloves and spurges everywhere. They look like wood spurges to me but it's not particularly woody.

I continue along Deckler's Cliff passing Deckler's Island, Shag Rock and Bullock Cove.

I spot another lovely looking beach, this time at Venerick's Cove. I know it's accessible so I scramble down myself but I don't quite make it to the beach as my heavy rucksack is making things a little unsafe.

I scramble back up and come across more bloody crane's-bill. It seems to like it around here.

I come across a tiny adder but it disappears into the undergrowth before I have a chance to photograph it.

I continue along the coast path past Pig's Nose, Ham Stone and Bull Rock. I head out on to Gammon Head, given to the National Trust by the Rose family on the 5th of January 1965.

The view over Gammon Head is magnificent.

I come across yet another lovely beach, this time at Maceley Cove. It is a very steep descent to the beach but my rucksack makes the decision not to descend easy.

The path zig zags to reach Prawle Point National Coastwatch Station.

I have lovely views over towards Start Point. I continue along the path which takes me past Cobstone Cove, Western Cove, Landing Cove and Wollow Cove.

The path verges are full of wildflowers so I amble along taking photographs.

I round Langerstone Point and pass Sharper's Cove and Horseley Cove and on reaching Maelcombe House I come across a speckled wood butterfly and a stonechat.

The path passes in front of Maelcombe House and crosses Woodcombe Point, covered in wildflowers.

I reach Lannacombe Beach which I wander down to to enjoy the sandy beach.

I leave the beach and enter Down Farm and then pass Limpet Cove.

I pass Great Mattiscombe Sand which I must visit one day as it looks lovely and out to sea are Frenchman's Rock, Barler Rock, Little Sleaden Rock and Great Sleaden Rock.

I head round Start Point and pass the Start Point Lighthouse.

I now have magnificent views over Start Bay and over to Slapton Sands.

I have one last chance to capture the wildflowers before reaching Hallsands.

I follow the path down a steep slope to reach Hallsands, the village that fell into the sea. In May 2012, an access road, viewing platform and two houses were affected by a 200 tonne landslide.

FLORA AND FAUNA

skylarks
whitethroats
stonechats
pheasants
hydrangeas
white valerian
three-cornered garlic
echiums
red valerian
bluebells
greater stitchwort
early purple orchid
gorse
small pearl-bordered fritillary
foxgloves
ribwort plantain
bladder campion
scarlet pimpernel
bird’s-foot trefoil
herb robert
cat’s-ear
sea thrift
bloody crane’s-bill
red admiral
kidney vetch
wild carrot
alexanders
speckled wood butterfly
common vetch
primrose
herb robert
navelwort

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 11.8 miles which amounts to 31487 steps. It has taken me 5 hours 40 minutes. The weather has been beautiful. Ten out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

MAP

higher dinnicombe to higher dinnicombe

May 24, 2025 by Mark Seymour

a circular walk

along allaleigh

monday, 12TH MAY 2025

Start location: Higher Dinnicombe (SX 81945 53190)

End point: Higher Dinnicombe (SX 81945 53190)

Map: Explorer OL20

Although there is a bit of rain around this week and it’s a gloomy start to the day the weather should be OK today.

I won’t be anywhere near the sea today but :-

Dartmouth low tide 12:44

Dartmouth high tide 06:46, 19:05

I leave our holiday cottage, Higher Dinnicombe, and walk up the lane towards Dartmouth Golf Course admiring all of the spring flowers in the verges.

I walk along the golf course before climbing over a stile which takes me into farmland. I walk across three fields where the skylarks are singing their hearts out.

I come across a lot of clover which I’ve never seen before and turns out to be crimson clover.

I leave the farmland via a gate and join a minor road which takes me towards Cornworthy. There are lots of wildflowers in the hedges and plenty of butterflies flittering around.

I manage to photograph a painted lady, an orange tip and a red admiral.

I follow the road which comes to a junction where a sign is telling me that Cornworthy is a mile away.

I turn left and continue along the road. At Lower Tideford Farm I come across a field full of sheep. One of the sheep has got its head stuck between the railings and some wire and seems to have been stuck there a while.

I wander down the track towards the farmhouse to let the farmer know about the sheep. As I head back up the track to the gateway a woman drives up armed with a pair of wirecutters and rescues the sheep from its predicament. The sheep runs off bleating in relief.

I continue on my way and turn right at a signpost and then enter the village of Cornworthy.

I pass the village church where the clock is telling me that it is a quarter to eleven, and then pass the village hall.

I pass the telephone box which has a notice on it saying that BT are proposing to remove the phone box.

I stop at the wisteria covered Hunters Lodge Inn. The inn was closed when I first passed it six years ago but is now open with newish tenants Grahame and Sue Nutt.

I enter the garden at the back of the pub to admire the Alice in Wonderland mural. It’s rather sad to see that the larger of the walls has been painted over.

I pass through the rest of the village passing more wisteria covered houses.

The Dart Valley Trail heads off to my right but I continue straight on through the village.

I pass the ruins of Cornworthy Priory, standing alone in the middle of a field. The gatehouse is all that remains of the 13th century priory. The convent was abandoned in 1539 when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries.

I continue along the road leaving Cornworthy behind me and at Edgecombe Barn come across a a large patch of early purple orchids on top of a bank by the side of the road. There are a lot more orchids here than the last time I passed here four years ago.

I leave the road at Coomery and wander along the ancient track, Allaleigh, which was once important for transporting timber. Nowadays it is just a muddy, rutted track.

It is now a pleasant amble along Allaleigh where I enjoy the wildflowers.

I pass by the Green Lanes Centre, set up in 1984, an education centre where young and old can learn about the local heritage, wildlife and ecology.

Towards the end of Allaleigh I pass a group of ruined buildings where a chapel once stood. It now seems to be a home for swallows.

I leave Allaleigh and head up a minor road before turning right and heading along the road which takes me back to the golf course and Higher Dinnicombe.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

herb bennet
primroses
red campion
shuttlecock fern
bluebells
celandines
greater stitchworth
hart’s-tongue fern
rhododendron
common dog-violet
herb robert
cow parsley
hawthorn
canada geese
foxglove
garlic mustard
crimson clover
cuckoo flower
devil’s-bit scabious
painted lady butterfly
orange tip butterfly
red admiral butterfly
skylarks
germander speedwell
honesty
aqualegia
red valerian
wild garlic
alexanders
dead nettle
green alkanet
wisteria
woodspurge
early purple orchid
bastard balm
swallows

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 5.4 miles which amounts to 14066 steps. It has taken me 2 and a half hours. A short walk today but thoroughly enjoyable. Ten out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

MAP

bantham to salcombe

May 24, 2025 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

saturday, 10TH MAY 2025

Start location: Bantham (SX 66847 43731)

End point: Salcombe (SX 73978 39343)

Map: Explorer OL20

Although there is a bit of rain around this week it looks like I'm in for some beautiful weather today.

Dartmouth low tide 11:33

Dartmouth high tide 17:53

We drive from our holiday cottage, Higher Dinnicombe, over to Bantham where I’m dropped off at the road which leads into Bantham village, next to the Sloop Inn.

I head through the car park and explore sandy Bantham Beach where I share the beach with a family who are camping here. There are, however, a load of surfers and paddleboarders out in the sea.

I head through sand dunes to rejoin the coast path proper where there are fine views back along the coast to Burgh Island but I head in the other direction along the edge of Thurlestone Golf Course.

I come across big black beetles on the golf course and stonechats are clacking all around me in the scrubby vegetation. I take in more of the wildflowers on the golf course and there are massive clumps of sea thrift and kidney vetch clinging to the low cliffs.

I wander across Thurlestone Beach and then Leas Foot Sand before reaching South Milton Sands. Thurlestone Rock can be seen out at sea.

thurlestone beach

leas foot sand

south milton sands

On leaving South Milton Sands I head out onto the low cliffs past Beacon Point and Mouthwell Point on towards Outer Hope. It is now a straight drop into the village.

hope cove

Easy walking takes me down to the Hope and Anchor Inn. I have lovely views over Hope Cove which consists of Outer Hope Beach and Inner Hope Beach.

I follow the road and a path through the village to reach Inner Hope. I wander down onto the beach and explore for a bit before it's time to head for Salcombe.

inner hope

I climb some steps out of Inner Hope and follow a woodland path out on to the open slopes leading to Bolt Tail where I enjoy the views across Hope Cove and the wildflowers.

hope cove

I amble around Bolt Tail which was once an Iron Age promontory hill fort.

I walk around the headland passing Yeovil Rock, Wolf Rock, China Rock and Graystone Ledge and then climb Bolberry Down at 395 feet. Skylarks are everywhere singing their hearts out but it is very blustery so recording them is difficult.

I come across a herd of long horn cattle who are as docile as anything.

The path continues before dropping steeply from Cathole Cliff into a valley where a footbridge crosses Soar Mill Cove.

I walk along The Warren where I enjoy the views back to Bolt Tail.

I pause to admire the views here before continuing along the path, passing Little Mew Stone and Mew Stone. I enjoy all of the wildflowers next to the coast path.

As I round Bolt Head I now have lovely views across Starehole Bay but the coast path signs have dried up and I must have chosen the wrong path because none of this is familiar even though I haven’t been here in quite some time.

I do have lovely views along the estuary over to Salcombe now.

I keep going and eventually come across a sign that links me back to the coast path, next to Overbecks Garden. On the path back down to the coast path I pass a ginormous bee hotel and an equally ginormous echium.

A proper road continues to the beach at South Sands where I pass the South Sands Hotel. I explore the beach here.

I continue on the road, first rising uphill and then down to North Sands Beach.

I pass the Winking Prawn Beach Cafe and then pass a small patch of cheery red hot pokers, before rising up and down again to reach Salcombe.

I have lovely views out to sea overlooking the estuary and also across the estuary over to East Portlemouth.

I amble along the road into Salcombe, admiring the MASSIVE echiums and the lovely views.

I walk around to the Ferry Inn where I will catch the ferry over from Salcombe to East Portlemouth tomorrow. I retrace my steps and head through the narrow streets and paths of Salcombe to the Creek Car Park where my lift awaits.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna encountered on the walk today includes :-

linnet
whitethroat
skylarks
oystercatchers
song thrush
chiff chaff
wild carrot
red campion
sea thrift
kidney vetch
gladioli
greater stitchwort
bluebells
gorse
foxgloves
long horn cattle
hawthorn
wild garlic
red hot pokers

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 12.4 miles which amounts to 32957 steps. It has taken me 5 and a quarter hours. The weather has been beautiful and the walking has been lovely. Nine out of ten!

WALK DETAILS

MAP

helford passage to falmouth

February 27, 2025 by Mark Seymour in south west coast path

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

thursday, 19TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Start location: Helford Passage (SW 76417 26977)

End point: Falmouth (SW 80464 33389)

Map: Explorer 103

We’ve been staying in Falmouth since last Friday and the weather has been lovely. It looks like I'm in for another day of beautiful weather today.

Falmouth high tide 06:49

Falmouth low tide 13:29

I start the day at the car park above Helford Passage where I can hear a chiffchaff singing. I amble down through the village to reach the Ferryboat Inn.

“Helford Passage - Sand-and-shingle beach, suitable for swimming and boating at all states of the tide, overlooked by an inn and holiday flats. The ferry to Helford, which runs during the summer, has been in operation since the mid-16th century. Boat trips on the river. Ideal spot for making a trip in a self-drive boat to secluded Frenchman’s Creek, which is surrounded by woods. Sailing/rowing/motorboats for hire. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

Should you wish, you can catch the ferry from here over to the village of Helford, which I've used on previous walks but I’m going in the opposite direction today.

I walk along the beach collecting shells below the Ferryboat Inn before following a familiar coast path sign which ambles along the river before entering woods.

I walk along a track to reach the back entrance of Trebah Garden and pass behind the private beach here.

I have magnificent views along the Helford estuary towards Rosemullion Head.

The coast path has been re-routed behind Durgan and heads along a shady path inland before dropping down to reach the tiny village of Durgan.

I amble through the village of Durgan and enjoy the small beach here before leaving the village, passing the Old School House. It takes very little time to transverse the village.

“Durgan - Hamlet of white cottages around a shingle beach; no parking. At the top of the lane are Glendurgan Gardens, owned by the National Trust, with a maze; open Mon and Wed, Apr to Sept, plus Fri in Apr and May.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

I join a road and head above Grebe Beach. The beach is not signposted from the coast path so it’s usually quiet here.

I walk under a group of scots pines and then head below Bosloe House along a path through Bosloe Hay Meadows. The meadows can look fantastic around about June but they are a lot more subdued at this time of year after they have been cut.

On the edge of the meadow I pass a robin who is happily singing to himself (or possibly herself, rare in birds but the female sings as well).

It is now a short walk to Porth Saxon beach where I enjoy the views down the river. I usually have this beach to myself but there’s quite a few people here out walking their dogs.

I amble briefly along the coast path to reach the beach at Porthallack where the weather is so calm that the water is just gently whispering. I have more magnificent views along the Helford estuary.

I leave Porthallack and climb a steep but brief grassy slope.

I enter woods below the village of Mawnan Smith at Mawnan Glebe where I immediately come across a buzzard.

“Mawnan - Clifftop hamlet, sheltered by high woods, with a 13th-century church set in ancient earthworks. Close to the lychgate on the left of the path leading to the north door is a small, ancient headstone with a faintly discernible skull and cross-bones, perhaps the grave of a pirate who met with a grisly death. From the south door there are memorable views, with glimpses of the blue water of the river amid the lush green and gold of the surrounding woods and farmland.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

I amble up and down the slopes of the wood before leaving them to head out across Rosemullion Head.

It is now pleasant walking along the gentle slopes before I walk below the sub tropical gardens of Meudon Hotel. I briefly drop down to the beach here.

I gradually drop down to Maenporth Beach and head out onto the sandy beach.

I amble along the beach enjoying the lovely weather and pass Life's a Beach, the beach cafe here at the far end of the beach.

“Maenporth - Popular sandy cove, sheltered from all but direct east winds with safe swimming. Half the beach is privately owned. Boats for hire on the natural lagoon behind the beach. Floats, deck-chairs, wind-breaks for hire; life-saving club. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

It's now a pleasant couple of miles walk towards Swanpool Beach, on the way passing a memorial to the Home Guard.

As I drop down to Swanpool Beach I pass a memorial bench in the memory of Sophie Louise Banks who took her own life at a very young age. I have passed this bench many times over the years.

I pass next to the Hooked on the Rocks (recently re-opened as Beach House Falmouth) restaurant and then head out onto the pleasant sandy beach which is being enjoyed by plenty of dogs (and plenty of people as well!).

“Swanpool Beach - Wide, sandy beach with safe swimming from white sand between rocky reefs studded with pools. Boating on a reed-rimmed pond behind the beach. Chalets, floats, deck-chairs, wind-breaks and boats for hire, trampolines, minature railway, rescue boat. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

I amble along the beach and then join the short path heading towards Gyllyngvase Beach. On the way I pass another memorial bench in memory of another Sophie Louise, this time Sophie Louise Cook who died from a cardiac arrest, again at a very young age.

It is easy walking to reach the delightful Gyllyngvase Beach on the outskirts of Falmouth. There are plenty of people on the beach even this far out of season but it’s no surprize given the lovely weather.

“Gyllngvase Beach - Gently sloping beach of clean white sand between reefs of rock pools, with safe swimming. Falmouth’s busiest beach as it is near the town. Bathing huts, chalets, floats, deck-chairs, wind-breaks for hire, trampolines, paddling-pool, miniature railway, rescue boat. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

I amble along the sandy beach passing the Gylly Beach Cafe before rejoining the road. I wander through Gyllydune Gardens before following roads which drop down into Falmouth.

Along the way I pass Beryl Bike number 31601 which has been next to this wall all week.

I make my way to Discovery Quay next door to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

It is now a pleasant walk through the heart of Falmouth and back to our home for the week, Bussillion.

“Falmouth - From the Tudor period to the end of last century, Falmouth saw more shipping than any port in the country except London. In 1815, about 350 ships were counted in Carrick Roads on one day. In 1872, 3945 ships entered Falmouth bound to or from foreign ports, and as many again handled coastal trade.
Boat trips, river cruises, shark fishing, sea-angling trips from harbour, lifeboat, two theatres, cinema, summer shows in Pavilion, water galas, water-polo matches in summer, bowls, golf, cricket, tennis, pitch-and-putt, sailing regattas (Aug), fishing festival (July), sailing clubs, power-boat racing, go-karts, maritime museum, art gallery, air-bottle recharging, sailing school, concert hall, ballroom dancing. P.”

— AA Book of the Seaside, 1972

FLORA AND FAUNA

chiffchaff
buzzard
robin
ragwort
red campion
ribwort plantain
honeysuckle
buddleia
scots pines
gunnera
knapweed
wild carrot
sweet chestnut
herb robert
redshank
crocosmia
sea aster
gorse
rosebay willowherb
hemp agrimony
aeonium
japanese anemone

PODCAST

The podcast of today's walk is now available. You can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or listen using the player below.

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

According to my phone I've walked 9.5 miles which amounts to 23492 steps. It has taken me 4 hours. The weather has been beautiful and I’ve walked one of my favourite stretches of the coast path. Ten out of ten!