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!

bantham to salcombe

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH

saturday, 10TH MAY 2025

FLORA AND FAUNA

PODCAST

MARKS OUT OF TEN?

WALK DETAILS

MAP