The Seafood Coast - 7 Day South West Coast Path Trail

About

Ideas for an amazing 1 to 7-day active holiday in the English Riviera in South Devon. Do the whole trail, or split the days up depending on your own timetable. 

For more walks on the South West Coast Path: visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk

DAY 1 -  Start in Torquay. From here you can either drive or get the No.22 bus for the two-mile journey (3.2km) to one of Britain’s highest clifftop promenades at Babbacombe. Soak up staggering sea views on the fairly strenuous 2.2 mile (3.5km) Babbacombe and Oddicombe Walk. Swap the steep descent from Lady Mount Temple for a ride on the historic funicular railway. Scour Babbacombe Beach for curled shell fossils, then climb the coast path through woodland. Dig deeper into the wonders of this UNESCO Global Geopark at the enthralling Kents Cavern, just a 20-minute stroll (one mile / 1.6km) or a few minutes on the No.22 bus, from the starting point of your walk.

 DAY 2 - Starting from Torquay harbour, join the 1.9 mile (3.1km) Daddyhole Plain loop and take a twirl around one of Torbay’s three limestone plateaux. Before crossing the Millennium Bridge back to the start point of the walk, dip into the Living Coasts zoo and aquarium.  

DAY 3 - Set out along the challenging 8.5-mile (13.6km) hike from Brixham to Torquay. With so much to see – including fascinating rock formations spanning three geological time periods – the walk will take you most of the day.

DAY 4 - Start in Torquay and hop on the No.100 or No.12 bus for the 50 minute journey to Totnes (nine miles / 14.5km), before boarding the passenger ferry along the River Dart. Look out for seals, herons and egrets as you float to maritime Dartmouth (about 90 minutes by boat) – from where you can take a 20 minute (one-mile/1.6km) walk to Dartmouth Castle. Hop across the river mouth to Kingswear on the passenger ferry, then board a heritage steam train for a 30-minute journey along the River Dart, past Greenaway Halt (the stop for Dame Agatha Christie’s Greenway Estate) and onto the traditional seaside resort of Paignton.

DAY 5 - Begin your day at Torquay station, a mile’s walk (1.6km) from the harbour at the centre of town, or a 10-minute bus ride on several services. From here, set off on a 3.9-mile (6.3km) loop to Cockington. Once you’re back in Torquay, it’s just a 0.3 mile (0.5km) stroll to the magnificent 12th Century Torre Abbey. It’s now home to award-winning gardens and artwork.

DAY 6 – Start your day in Brixham, with an easy 0.6-mile (1km) walk. From the harbour, follow the coast path for one mile (1.6km), past the art deco Shoalstone Sea Water Pool to the café at Berry Head. Back in Brixham, find out more about the area’s fascinating history as you visit Brixham’s Heritage Museum.

DAY 7 - Kick off your day in Dartmouth and get under the skin of this maritime town on the 1.2 mile (2km) Dartmouth Town Trail. Cross the river on the Higher Dart Ferry and follow the stunning Dart Valley Trail along the river to Agatha Christie’s estate at Greenway (four miles / 6.5km). Once you’ve explored the historic gem of the National Trust Greenway float back to Dartmouth by ferry.

Torquay, Paignton and Brixham are all ideal bases for the week. The English Riviera is the perfect destination for a car-free holiday – with a reliable and extensive network of buses, trains and ferries servicing all the major towns, villages and attractions. For easy bus and train journey planning and timetable information visit www.travelinesw.com For more information visit www.englishriviera.co.uk