Cliffs, valleys and ocean views in Salcombe Regis
Take a walk from Salcombe Regis out to the coast with superb views of the Devon Jurassic Coast. The walk leads to viewpoints looking west to Sidmouth and east to Weston Mouth and Branscombe.
On days of good visibility, it is possible to see Portland Bill in Dorset. The walk also gives the opportunity to explore Weston Plats, an area of 19th and 20th-century market gardens on the cliff-tops, that in its heyday supplied produce not only to local markets but also to markets further afield.
Map
Start:
Car park at St Peter's Church, Salcombe Regis, grid ref: SY148888
1
From the church car park turn left down the road towards Salcombe Mouth. At the waymarker pointing to the beach take the road to the left signed 'Combe Wood Farm and coast ¾ mile'. Continue along this road and past houses on left and right. Go through the gate and take the left-hand path slanting up the hillside rising up to the next signpost.
Salcombe Regis church
The church (St Peter's) was originally built in the 12th century and extended over the next 200 years with the west tower being added in about 1430. The church possesses an eagle lectern from the 15th century, carved from a single block of wood. In the churchyard are the graves of two important scientists: Sir Ambrose Fleming, who invented the wireless valve in 1904, and Sir Norman Lockyer, who pioneered work on sunspots in the 1880s and whose observatory is approximately one mile (1.6km) away on the top of Salcombe hill.
2
Now there is a choice of ways: the path straight on is narrow, steep and muddy in wet weather; or by turning sharp left there is an easier path, leading to a junction where you turn right and walk out to the coast passing the junction of the path that went straight on.
3
Follow the path over Higher Dunscombe Cliff. The view behind is of Salcombe Mouth and ahead you will come to a viewpoint, with a seat, looking out over Weston Mouth. Follow the path to the left into Lincombe.
Breathtaking viewpoint
This has to be one of the best views on the East Devon coast. Have a rest or a bite to eat and enjoy the fabulous coastal scenery. The Dorset and East Devon Coast is the first World Heritage Site in England to be designated for natural rather than man-made features. Known as the Jurassic Coast, it actually spans a much longer period of geological time covering 185 million years from the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods.
4
At the signpost take the right-hand path which drops down a little and then rises to the right and out onto Lower Dunscombe Cliff. There are various viewpoints looking down to Weston mouth and a small diversion to the right leads to a seat looking out over Weston Mouth. Please take care along this part of the route. After prolonged wet weather this path can get slippery.
5
At the next signpost turn sharp right and descend down the steps, through the kissing gate, then keeping to the right-hand side of the field, continue down. Take care as this will be quite slippery when wet. Just before the next signpost on the right is a notice board and a gate through to the Weston Plats.
Weston Plats
In the 19th century the village was well known for these cliff-top plots. Thanks to the unique micro-climate on these cliffs, local residents were able to produce early crops of flowers, vegetables and strawberries. Most successful were the Branscombe potatoes which rivalled those from Jersey. Because of the difficult terrain donkeys were used to carry the produce away to market and also for carrying seaweed, collected from the seashore, back to the plats to be used as fertiliser.
6
At the next signpost turn sharp right and descend down the steps, through the kissing gate, then keeping to the right-hand side of the field, continue down. Take care as this will be quite slippery when wet. Just before the next signpost on the right is a notice board and a gate through to the Weston Plats.
7
At the tarmac road (Dunscombe Manor), turn left and follow the road back to Salcombe Regis. Drop down through the village to the church and on to the car park.
End:
Car park at St Peter's Church, Salcombe Regis, grid ref: SY148888
