Devon

Mill Bay walk

Leave the Salcombe crowds behind and take shady, woodland paths to quiet sandy coves on this circular walk. The path climbs to the old lookout at Gara Rock, where you can rest before returning over the fields. Take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful area including the waves lapping the cliffs and the cattle grazing.

Near to

Mill Bay

Start point

Mill Bay car park, grid ref: SX743381

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

Duration1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours

Dog friendly***

*Moderate hills and cliff paths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Route unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies due to narrow, rugged coast paths and moderate climbs.
***Dogs welcome, kept on leads near cliffs and livestock (cattle graze along the coast). For further details, please see Facilities section.

Please be aware of livestock

Be aware that you may encounter livestock, which can include sheep and cattle, on this route. Please follow the guidance of onsite signage and take any dog waste away with you.

Address
Mill Bay, near East Portlemouth, Devon, TQ8 8PU
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Totnes, 19 miles, then take bus 164.
By ferry
Salcombe to East Portlemouth ferry operates during high season.
By bus
Tally Ho 164 that goes straight through from Totnes to Kingsbridge and then straight onto Saltram.
By road
A3121/A379 from Ivybridge to Kingsbridge, or A381 from Totnes to Kingsbridge. From there, take A379 towards Torcross and turn south at Frogmore to South Pool, before following coast road to East Portlemouth. Carry on through village, along coast to car park at Mill Bay.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Mill Bay car park, grid ref: SX743381
Stage 1
Start at the National Trust car park at Mill Bay and follow the coast path, signposted to Gara Rock, past the toilet block and into the wood, soon passing a path leading upwards to the left. Follow the path through the trees (a path down to the right takes you to Sunny Cove). Go through the gate and onto Rickham Common.
Cliffside flora and fauna
Too steep and rocky for ploughing, these cliffs were once used for grazing livestock, but the practice declined over the last century and slopes were smothered by scrub. Today, the cliffs at Rickham Common and Portlemouth Down are grazed by the tenant farmers' cattle and are now rich in plantlife and insects. Among the usual maritime species, look for Portland spurge, rare autumn squill and extensive patches of bloody cranesbill.
Stage 2
Stop for a moment beside the memorial stones to admire the views across the estuary. Continue along the path out onto the cliffs and follow the path across Portlemouth Down, with Gammon Head and Prawle Point coming into view.
Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster Centenary Memorial Stones
On October 27 1916, Salcombe saw one of the worst lifeboat disasters in the RNLI's history. During a rescue attempt, the lifeboat 'William and Emma' ran into difficulties when returning to shore and capsized. Only two of the 15-man crew survived. Twin memorial stones were erected either side of the Salcombe Bar to mark the 2016 centenary. The one on this stretch of coast path was engraved by local stonemason Jim Martin. The twin memorial stone is across the estuary near Overbeck's.
Stage 3
Continue along the coast path as it curves above Rudder Cove. Soon after, you'll pass the top path leading back to Mill Bay on your left and on the clifftop ahead, the Gara Rock lookout hut. At the next fork, take the lower path to the right, passing above Rickham Sands and down to Seacombe Sands.
Stage 4
Go through the gate, and at the stream turn right to explore the beach. Return to the coast path and turn left back up the hill to the gate and then take the upper path to the lookout.
Stage 5
Leaving the lookout, walk down the lane going west of the hotel for 200 metres and then take the path over the stile on your left. Follow the path through two fields, over a farm track and through a gate onto Rickham Lane. Continue down the avenue of lime trees all the way to the car park.
End point
Mill Bay car park, grid ref: SX743381
Trail map
Map of the Mill Bay walk, Devon | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Weathered orthostats on the cliffs over the coast at Prawle Point, Devon.

Trail

Prawle Point walk

This walk is full of drama: heart thumping cliff-top climbs, with rocky raised beaches below. Look out for the sunken Demetrios below Signalhouse Point and don't miss the ancient boundary stones that dot the landscape.

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Trail

East Soar to Bolt Head Walk

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The garden at Overbeck's with Salcombe Bay beyond

Trail

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