Great South West Walk

Friday August 3

Section 5.TORCROSS TO DARTMOUTH Miles: 10. Grading: Moderate

Start time and location
Could you please report for registration at the WWII tank in Torcross at 8.30am.
The walk will commence at 9.00am.

Parking
Plenty of parking avaialble at start points.

Bus Services
Western National, Laira Bridge Road, Plymouth, PL4 9LP. (Tel: 01752 222666). Service 93, Plymouth - Torcross - Strete - Stoke Fleming - Dartmouth.

Maps
Landranger Series (scale 1:50,000) Number 202, Torbay and South Dartmoor.
Outdoor Leisure Series (scale 1:25,000) Number 20, South Devon.

General Information
TORCROSS - Shops, pubs, accommodation, cafes, post office and
toilets.
STRETE - Pubs, accommodation and post office.
STOKE FLEMING - Shops, pubs, accommodation, post office and
toilets.
DARTMOUTH - All the usual facilities plus the Tourist Information
Centre, Mayors Avenue, Dartmouth, TQ6 9YY (Tel: 01803 834224); National Trust shop, 8 The Quay, Dartmouth.
MAPS

FERRIES
Three ferries to Kingswear: The Lower Ferry; Passenger Ferry and the Higher Ferry - all run frequently throughout the day.
Dartmouth Castle (English Heritage) (Tel: 01803 833588). Ferry to the Castle.

TAXIS
Several operating.

The Route
This section of the Coast Path contains some excellent scenery and considerable interest along parts of the route. Sadly this section also contains a 5 mile (8 km) stretch which is considered by our Association and others to be the very worst part of the whole of the 600-plus miles of the South West Coast Path.

From Torcross to Strete Gate is a long, level section running between the sea and the Slapton Ley Nature Reserve. The route then turns away from the coast and remains an unsatisfactory inland walk until you reach Strete, from where you enjoy splendid walking and views until you reach Stoke Fleming where it continues to National Trust Warren Point along a route which is not coastal at all.

With the villages of Torcross, Strete, Stoke Fleming and the town of Dartmouth, there is no shortage of accommodation or refreshments along the way. Although perhaps not required by walkers, there is a bus service from Torcross to Dartmouth via Strete and Stoke Fleming.

STRETE GATE TO WARREN POINT

Before proceeding with this description, we feel more needs to be said about the very bad inland route between Strete Gate and Warren Point - a path of virtually no interest, often 1/2 mile (800 m) from the sea and with some dangerous road sections on the busy A379 to be negotiated. The Association believes that this route should never have been chosen for the Coast Path and for many years we have fought for an improved coastal route, but without success. Discussions have taken place over the years, both with Devon County Council through whose area this path runs, and the Countryside Agency which has ultimate
responsibility for this National Trail, and, although we were hopeful back in 1989 that a new route would come, nothing was achieved, although the authorities did decide that they would seek to make minor improvements to the route through negotiation with local landowners. Since then we have continued to press for an improved route, albeit with increasing frustration.

In March 1995, Devon County Council came forward with proposals for some possible minor improvements to the route, which in no way
countered the long-standing defects on this section. Our Association felt very let down by these totally inadequate proposals and accordingly requested that the Environment and Countryside Committee of Devon County Council look again at the whole problem. In June 1995, a
meeting of that committee decided that county officers should draw up plans for a good coastal footpath with a view to proceeding with this, subject to financing by the Countryside Agency. Since then the
Association has submitted to them our own proposals for a suitable, more coastal route.

We must acknowledge great support from the Ramblers' Association who made this problem path the subject of their Open Britain Day in South Devon in September, 1995. Following an earlier press conference attended by their National Chairman, the protest walk by nearly 200 walkers gained much press and TV coverage, highlighting the unsatisfactory route and dangerous road walking involved.

We now revise this booklet (March 2005) because there has been a splendid realignment of the coast path, which previously never was a coast path, between Strete and Stoke Fleming. Many years of lobbying by this Association and being a thorough nuisance has, at last, been rewarded.

TORCROSS TO DARTMOUTH

Annual Guide Section 62 10 miles; 16 km Grading - moderate

Torcross to Strete (3 1/2 miles - 5.5 km, grading - easy)

Torcross is a small holiday village situated on the coast at the southern end of Slapton Sands and is the start of this section of the path. It has many features attractive to path users, and there are shops, pubs,
accommodation, cafes, a post office and public toilets. There is even a launderette. There are also bus stops here on the Plymouth /
Dartmouth route.

Torcross is well known for its bathing facilities, and is famous for being at the end of Slapton Ley. This consists of a nature reserve (a site of special scientific interest) which extends to 521 acres (210 hectares), consisting of the Leys and surrounding marshes and reed beds,
breeding grounds for wildlife and many varieties of birds. Managed by the Field Studies Council, the reserve is used for education, research and conservation of the area, and is a major attraction for bird watchers and naturalists.

Starting at Torcross is the Lower Ley, the largest natural lake in the West Country, running north for 1 1/2 miles (2.4 km), and although only separated from the sea by a shingle bar, this is fresh water. Beyond is the Higher Ley - a silted, marshy area.

In Torcross Village, by walking across the road by the village square, you will stand at the end of the Ley in an area known as The Duckery; here there will be ducks and other water birds waiting to be fed if you have food to spare, and there is also an excellent information board about the Leys with a map and details of the birds to be seen.

You leave the village walking along the small promenade by the shore and at the end of the buildings, you join the main A379 road where there is a signpost 'Coast Path Strete Gate 2 1/2 miles'. This is your route and you may proceed along either side of the road, depending on whether you prefer to be nearer the sea or the Ley. Many will find this section boring as the road runs northward, straight and flat, but there are views of the Leys and at least you are right by the sea.

After about 1 1/2 miles (2.4 km), you come to Slapton Bridge where there is a turning to the left signposted 'Slapton 1/2 mile', and this road leads to Slapton Village. This is not your route but a few yards up the road on the left is a signpost with a public footpath via Nature Trails in the Reserve if you have time to spare to explore this lovely area. In the village of Slapton is the Slapton Ley Field Centre from where the
reserve is managed.

On the main road at this point is a large obelisk memorial given by the United States Army authorities to the local people, recording their thanks to those who left their homes to provide them with a training area for the June 1944 Normandy landings. The area included seven villages, homes and farms, and some 2,000 people, whose animals and belongings were involved.

Continue northward for nearly another mile along the A379 to Strete Gate where the road goes left and here, continue
forward along a narrow road past a picnic area and a large car park. Now the road becomes a track, climbing steadily
upwards to rejoin the main road where you turn right,
signposted 'Strete 1/4 mile'.

You must now carefully follow this busy and dangerous road without pavements to the village. Continue along the A379, through the village centre. At the other end of the village you will find a style with a coast path marker.

Strete to Stoke Fleming (2 1/2 miles - 4 km - grading - easy)

Officially opened on 24th March 2005 your route is along the splendid, scenic new coast path to Stoke Fleming.

After 20 years of lobbying by this Association and 2 years of commendable activity by the Countryside Agency, Devon County Council and the South West Coast Path Team the coast path has been realigned onto this new, delightful section.

From the style on the A379 a downhill path across a field arrives at a steep-sided valley which is crossed by a wooden footbridge. Cross that and bear right towards the sea, pass through a gate and turn left. The views from the top of this field, as you walk along, are magnificent. Continue on and into an area of bracken and gorse.

Signs direct you down into Lancombe Valley and up the other side where you have to cross the A379. The coast path then runs above the road, through a copse area, then turns left uphill along a field hedge into a lane. Here turn right and along it for about 400 yards (370 m). You cross another style and walk downhill through that field towards a clump of trees with views of Blackpool Sands.

At the trees descend granite steps and out onto a lane.
Opposite is a gap in the wall. Go through that and then through a gate for a walk across an attractive, new, packhorse bridge.

You now cross the A379 into the Blackpool Sands recreation area and a refreshment stop if you fancy one. The coast path is signed from there, uphill, and through the trees on the seaward side of the A379. It emerges out onto a pavement. Further uphill you cross the road into Old Road and into Stoke Fleming near the Green Dragon public house.
This is the end of this realigned section, so follow the signed route that bypasses Stoke Fleming village centre.

You will return to the A379 again near the village hall. Turn left then immediately right along a narrow road.
STOKE FLEMING

The village has an impressive church with some good 14th century brasses and a tower, which for centuries served as a daymark for shipping approaching Dartmouth. Needless to say the village has shops, pubs, accommodation, a post office, and is on the bus route.

Stoke Fleming to Dartmouth
(4 miles - 6.5 km - Grading - moderate)

You now have a boring lane walk for 3/4 mile (1200 m) until at a junction with a road on your left you reach the National Trust Car Park, and here you turn right, signposted 'Dartmouth 2 3/4 miles'. Now, (hurrah!) descend again to the coast and enjoy a lovely coastal path, latterly with views across the Dart estuary, until you reach a cottage with a signpost 'Dartmouth 1 mile'. The views over to Kingswear become more impressive as you go up the estuary, and do watch out for Kingswear Castle on the opposite bank a little before you reach Dartmouth Castle. Now fork right along a waymarked path which keeps you off the road for a while but rejoins it further on.

The quickest way now is straight on down the road to
Dartmouth but we strongly recommend, time permitting, that you turn right here, signed 'to the ferry and castle' and descend to visit the castle and church. Then continue along the lower road which joins the upper one after about 1/4 mile (400 m).

DARTMOUTH CASTLE

Spectacularly set on the water's edge, the Castle was built in the 15th century to defend the town against attack from the sea and is now owned by English Heritage. Said to be the first castle in the country specifically constructed for artillery, it is open daily from April to
October, and on some days each week in the winter. Within the precinct of the castle is the church of St Petrox on a site where a church has stood since the 6th century. Below the church is the way down to the ferry which in the season runs regularly from the castle to
Dartmouth - much more spectacular than walking down the road.

You now have a road walk of about 1/2 mile (800 m) although you'll have some glimpses of the picturesque river and
Dartmouth, but just as you are reaching the town centre, look for a waymark directing you to fork right down Bayard's Hill which, in a few yards, brings you to river level and the lower car ferry. The foot passenger ferry is about 400 yards (365m)
further upstream.

DARTMOUTH

This picturesque old town is a veritable jewel situated just within the mouth of the River Dart. There is a deep water sheltered harbour, in use for hundreds of years, with old quays, medieval houses and
spectacular views across the busy river to Kingswear. The town is
famous for some departures from its harbour; ships for the crusades in the 12th century and in 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers' ships Speedwell and Mayflower anchored here before sailing to America. More recently, in the Second World War, an armada of ships left here with troops for the invasion of Normandy.

Probably Dartmouth's most famous building is the Britannia Royal
Naval College where Royal Naval Officers are trained, although now in declining numbers. The college consists of a splendid range of
buildings, situated on a hill slope above the town. Also worth a visit is The Butterwalk, with buildings dating from the early 1600's, and Bayard's Cove where there are the preserved ruins of an old waterside fortification built in 1509.

There are plenty of eating places and shops including a National Trust shop, and there is plenty of holiday accommodation available. The town also has an excellent Tourist Information Centre.

Important to those on the Coast Path is the fact that there are three
ferries available for crossing the River Dart to Kingswear, although the lower ferry nearest the harbour entrance or the nearby foot passenger ferry will be the most convenient. There are also plenty of pleasure boat trips available on the River Dart, and the upriver trip to Totnes with a commentary on places of interest along the way is recommended if you have time.

If you have any question on any of the above please do not hesitate to contact one the event organisers found on the Contact us page click here

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