Coleton Fishacre Ranger Run
Nestled on Devon’s south coast, Coleton Fishacre’s exotic garden leads down a steep valley towards the sea. This trail run takes in the dramatic coastal scenery which surrounds it, covering some tough terrain and interesting built cultural history. The full run follows the edge of the estate and a dramatic section of the South West Coast Path, or for a shorter loop you could head steeply up from the Coast Path through the garden (normal admission prices for Coleton Fishacre apply).
This route has been created in collaboration with expert trail runners and adventurers Jen and Sim Benson, as part of our Ranger Run Series. The route in part follows a well-maintained but naturally uneven coastal path which is steep in places - be aware of cliff edges and keep children and dogs supervised. The final stretch of the route follows a single-track country lane with passing places - be mindful of traffic.
Map
Start:
Coleton Camp car park
1
Follow the track east out of the car park heading downhill towards the sea and reaching the South West Coast Path (SWCP) at Scabbacombe Head.
2
Turn right onto the Coast Path to follow it south-west until you reach Pudcombe Cove, near the coastal entrance to Coleton Fishacre garden. If you would like to do the shorter version of this run, leave the Coast Path here and go up through the centre of Coleton Fishacre garden. Normal admission prices to Coleton Fishacre apply, so pop into Visitor Reception while you're there. When you're ready to continue, follow the driveway and turn right at the top to go back to the start of the route at Coleton Camp.
Pudcombe Cove
From the Coast Path near the bottom of Coleton Fishacre garden, you can see Pudcombe Cove, and the remains of a tidal pool there. This belonged D'Oyly Carte family, who built Coleton Fishacre as their country home.
3
Continue on the South West Coast Path round Outer Froward Point and on past Brownstone Battery at Inner Froward Point, a Second World War gun emplacement. The trail continues around Newfoundland Cove.
Brownstone Battery
One of the few surviving Second World War coastal defence positions, Brownstone Battery is a collection of fascinating buildings, including the gun and searchlight positions. One of the buildings is now used as a lookout station for the National Coastwatch Institution.
4
Continue on the South West Coast Path to a track which leads left to Kingswear; don’t take this but turn right and climb uphill past Higher Brownstone Farm to join a country lane.
Military road
To the right of this country lane, a military road connects Brownstone car park and Froward Point, created during the Second World War when the gun emplacement was built. From this road you can see the Day Mark, a navigational aid built in 1864.
5
Follow the country lane past the entrance to Coleton Fishacre, back to the start at Coleton Camp.
End:
Coleton Camp car park
