Coleton Fishacre circular walk via Coleton Camp
This walk takes in the woodland along the top of Coleton Fishacre garden, viewpoints over the sea and the rugged coastline, and the South West Coast path. It leads you back to Coleton Fishacre via Coleton Camp, and is an ideal early summer walk as it leads you past bluebells and primroses in flower.
Map
Start:
Coleton Fishacre
1
The first path you come to in Coleton Fishacre garden directs you to Scout Point and the wild play area. Follow this path, which takes you along the top of the garden through woodland, with frequent viewpoints over the house and the sea. Keep going until you reach the end of this path and you will come to Scout Point, which is the best place in the garden to see uninterrupted views of the rugged coastline towards Kingswear.
This path is lined with trees coming into bud in early summer, and patches of bluebells and wild garlic flowering.
2
Once you have finished breathing in the view at Scout Point, head back along the path and take the first left turn. This path, which is steep in places, leads to the steps near the Summer House. Once you reach the steps, continue down them to get to the bottom of the garden, where you will find a path that leads you out onto the South West Coast Path.
The Summer House
It's worth a small detour out to the Summer House to reach another viewing point over the sea and coastline. The rocky outcropping in the sea that you can see perfectly framed framed here is the Mewstone, which is popular with sea birds and grey seals.
3
Once you're through the gate and on the South West Coast Path, follow it to the left, up some steps. It's worth keeping an eye out for blackberries here, which grow in this patch of woodland. Once you're at the top of the steps continue to follow the path. On your right will be a bench and a viewing platform for Pudcombe Cove.
Pudcombe Cove
In this cove the D'Oyly Carte family built a tidal swimming pool, which you can still see the outline of today. The steps which led down to the cove have eroded away, so the cove is no longer accessible.
4
A walk along the South West Coast Path for about quarter of a mile brings you to a fork, where you can continue along to Scabbacombe beach and eventually Brixham, or turn inland and head towards Coleton Camp. For this route, follow the inland path.
As you walk along the South West Coast Path you should pass clusters of bluebells in flower as well as primroses and violets. Birds are nesting at this time of year, and on this walk you may be lucky enough to see peregrine falcons, cirl buntings, guillemots and razorbills.
5
Follow the inland path through fields and along a country track. At the top of the track you'll come to Coleton Camp car park. Walk through the car park and you'll reach a lane at the far end, which bears to the left. Follow this lane until you come to a junction, and turn left to walk down the driveway to Coleton Fishacre.
End:
Coleton Fishacre
