Favourite Beaches and Country Walks

Laura
Favourite Beaches and Country Walks

Walks from the front door

Walks around Sutcombe, including to the next village Bradworthy.
Various ‘loop’ walks from 1.2miles upto 6.5miles + are available direct from the front door. We have included a few example routes.
Sutcombe
Various ‘loop’ walks from 1.2miles upto 6.5miles + are available direct from the front door. We have included a few example routes.

Coastal walks

We enjoy exploring with our four-legged friend, we have included some of our favorite coastal walks with great views and lovely beaches
Lovely location for exploring woodland, coastpath and a rocky beach at Mouthmill. There are a number of paths available to explore, some are stony gravel, others are muddy tracks (especially following rain).
Brownsham National Trust Car Park
Lovely location for exploring woodland, coastpath and a rocky beach at Mouthmill. There are a number of paths available to explore, some are stony gravel, others are muddy tracks (especially following rain).
A lovely 3 mile circular walk down to the beach via a green lane, with an alternative green lane route on the way back. Peppercombe beach is rocky, with some sandy sections at low tide. Parking is VERY LIMITED in a lay-by on the main A39 at Horns Cross. We would recommend an early start on weekends/during summer holiday periods. Please park considerately (do not block private drives/bus-stops). Alternatively for a longer walk, you can park at Buck’s Mill and explore along the south west coast-path to Peppercombe.
16 lokale anbefaler
Peppercombe Beach
16 lokale anbefaler
A lovely 3 mile circular walk down to the beach via a green lane, with an alternative green lane route on the way back. Peppercombe beach is rocky, with some sandy sections at low tide. Parking is VERY LIMITED in a lay-by on the main A39 at Horns Cross. We would recommend an early start on weekends/during summer holiday periods. Please park considerately (do not block private drives/bus-stops). Alternatively for a longer walk, you can park at Buck’s Mill and explore along the south west coast-path to Peppercombe.

Favourite beaches

Our favourite beaches, most are dog-friendly all year around, but some do have summertime restrictions.
Great dog-friendly beach all year around. On a low tide with lots of sandy beach to walk along, rock pools to explore for sea life, cafe (summer season, & sometimes holiday weekends ‘out of season’), toilets (seasonally), lifeguards (summer season). The car park is operated by the National Trust (pay & display with attendants during summer season). At peak times the car park can be full by 11am with an ‘overflow’ field car park operating (at some distance up the lane). There is a steep slope down to the beach with steps, and cobbles at the top of beach. There is No beach available at high tide (best visited two hours each-side of low tide). On a very low tide there is an old shipwreck at the far end of the beach towards Northcott (south or ‘left’ when you walk down the steps onto the beach).
73 lokale anbefaler
Sandymouth Bay Beach
73 lokale anbefaler
Great dog-friendly beach all year around. On a low tide with lots of sandy beach to walk along, rock pools to explore for sea life, cafe (summer season, & sometimes holiday weekends ‘out of season’), toilets (seasonally), lifeguards (summer season). The car park is operated by the National Trust (pay & display with attendants during summer season). At peak times the car park can be full by 11am with an ‘overflow’ field car park operating (at some distance up the lane). There is a steep slope down to the beach with steps, and cobbles at the top of beach. There is No beach available at high tide (best visited two hours each-side of low tide). On a very low tide there is an old shipwreck at the far end of the beach towards Northcott (south or ‘left’ when you walk down the steps onto the beach).
Widemouth is a rocky and sandy beach, with some steps and cobbles at the top of the beach. The left hand side of the beach (towards black rock) is the most popular, the rocky right hand side is great for rock pools and generally quieter. Cornwall Council operate the pay& display beach car park. Alternatively, the viewing point & north car park offers free parking. There is a cafe (open seasonally), toilets (open seasonally) and lifeguards (summer season). Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10am-6pm from May to September.
161 lokale anbefaler
Widemouth Bay
161 lokale anbefaler
Widemouth is a rocky and sandy beach, with some steps and cobbles at the top of the beach. The left hand side of the beach (towards black rock) is the most popular, the rocky right hand side is great for rock pools and generally quieter. Cornwall Council operate the pay& display beach car park. Alternatively, the viewing point & north car park offers free parking. There is a cafe (open seasonally), toilets (open seasonally) and lifeguards (summer season). Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10am-6pm from May to September.
Braunton Burrows is a vast and complex dune system that sits between Saunton Sands beach and the rural farmland surrounding Braunton. The whole area is protected by being a UNESCO Designated Biosphere Reserve due to the rarity of the plant and insect life that inhabits it. There are two options for parking at either ‘Sandy Lane Car Park’ or ‘Crow Point Car Park’. Both cost £2.50 to park all day. ‘Sandy Lane Car Park’ does accept card payments, whereas the ‘Toll Road’ access to Crow Point only accepts Cash!
61 lokale anbefaler
Braunton Burrows
61 lokale anbefaler
Braunton Burrows is a vast and complex dune system that sits between Saunton Sands beach and the rural farmland surrounding Braunton. The whole area is protected by being a UNESCO Designated Biosphere Reserve due to the rarity of the plant and insect life that inhabits it. There are two options for parking at either ‘Sandy Lane Car Park’ or ‘Crow Point Car Park’. Both cost £2.50 to park all day. ‘Sandy Lane Car Park’ does accept card payments, whereas the ‘Toll Road’ access to Crow Point only accepts Cash!

Woodland walks

We enjoy exploring with our four-legged friend, we have included our local and ‘everyday’ woodland walking locations
Cookworthy forest offers a range of parking locations, with lots of woodland paths available to explore. The main tracks are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
Cookworthy Forest
Cookworthy forest offers a range of parking locations, with lots of woodland paths available to explore. The main tracks are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
Powler’s Piece woodland offers a range of parking locations, with lots of woodland paths available to explore. The main tracks are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). There is a lovely avenue of beach trees. The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
Powler's Piece
Powler’s Piece woodland offers a range of parking locations, with lots of woodland paths available to explore. The main tracks are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). There is a lovely avenue of beach trees. The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
There is a small parking area accessed from the A388 driving south from Holsworthy towards Launceston. There are three main tracks which are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
Holsworthy Wood
A388
There is a small parking area accessed from the A388 driving south from Holsworthy towards Launceston. There are three main tracks which are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
Accessed from the A386, there is plenty of parking available near ‘Greedy’s’ snack bar (popular with motorcyclists). There are public toilets available. There are plenty of pathways to explore, including: a small stream, a wildflower meadow, part of the Rolle Canal, some open areas and some shaded parts in the woods.
7 lokale anbefaler
Torrington Commons
South Street
7 lokale anbefaler
Accessed from the A386, there is plenty of parking available near ‘Greedy’s’ snack bar (popular with motorcyclists). There are public toilets available. There are plenty of pathways to explore, including: a small stream, a wildflower meadow, part of the Rolle Canal, some open areas and some shaded parts in the woods.
From the A39 just south of Kilkhampton, take the unnamed road signposted to Stibb/Sandymouth/Coombe Valley. Continue for almost three miles, passing through Stibb and the turning to Sandymouth, you will drop down into Coombe Valley and Stowe Woods will be on your right. There is a small parking area after the big left-hand bend, or a larger car park at Duckpool. There are main tracks which are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.
Stowe Woods
From the A39 just south of Kilkhampton, take the unnamed road signposted to Stibb/Sandymouth/Coombe Valley. Continue for almost three miles, passing through Stibb and the turning to Sandymouth, you will drop down into Coombe Valley and Stowe Woods will be on your right. There is a small parking area after the big left-hand bend, or a larger car park at Duckpool. There are main tracks which are stony gravel, if you enjoy exploring the smaller pathways it can be muddy (especially following rain or forestry activity). The forest is operated by the Forestry Commission, access can be restricted at times due to forestry activities. Please respect and follow Forestry instructions and signage.

Sightseeing

The deepest river gorge in the South West, with a 30m high waterfall. The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. The path takes you on a sloping route down to the 28.2m high cascade of Whitelady Waterfall. Then brings you back up through the woods to the railway path, where you follow the old route of the Great Western Railway back to the start. There are some steep sections and uneven surfaces, sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended.
82 lokale anbefaler
Lydford Gorge Tea Rooms
1 Southgate
82 lokale anbefaler
The deepest river gorge in the South West, with a 30m high waterfall. The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. The path takes you on a sloping route down to the 28.2m high cascade of Whitelady Waterfall. Then brings you back up through the woods to the railway path, where you follow the old route of the Great Western Railway back to the start. There are some steep sections and uneven surfaces, sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended.

Dartmoor

A bit further afield, a few of our exploring routes on Dartmoor.
Walk in ancient footsteps on a circular 4.5mile walk from Bennett's Cross to Grimspound Bronze Age Settlement.
9 lokale anbefaler
Grimspound
B3212
9 lokale anbefaler
Walk in ancient footsteps on a circular 4.5mile walk from Bennett's Cross to Grimspound Bronze Age Settlement.
Walk in ancient footsteps on a circular 4.5mile walk from Bennett's Cross to Grimspound Bronze Age Settlement.
Bennett's Cross
B3212
Walk in ancient footsteps on a circular 4.5mile walk from Bennett's Cross to Grimspound Bronze Age Settlement.
Enjoy a circular 4.5mile walk from Cadover Bridge along the River Plym to Shaugh Prior, returning via Dewerstone.
13 lokale anbefaler
Cadover Bridge
13 lokale anbefaler
Enjoy a circular 4.5mile walk from Cadover Bridge along the River Plym to Shaugh Prior, returning via Dewerstone.