Devon

Wembury Woods walk

Follow this hilly 5-mile circular route through woodlands, take a seat on a log bench and admire the views of Cofflete Creek, then follow the hedge-lined fields that lie to the east of Wembury.

Near to

Wembury

Start point

Wembury village car park, grid ref: SX528496

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 5 (km: 8)

Duration2 hours

Dog friendly***

*A hilly walk that goes through woodlands and fields. For further details, please see the Terrain section.
**A hilly walk along tracks and through woodland. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome on walks around Wembury. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Please be aware of livestock

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

Address
Wembury village car park, grid ref: SX528496
Directions via Google Maps
By train
10 miles from Plymouth station.
On foot
South West Coast Path from Plymouth City to Heybrook Bay, then on to Warren Point, where you can take the seasonal ferry to Noss Mayo and rejoin the path through to the River Erme (low tide only). Path continues at Wonwell and towards Bigbury-on-Sea, where there are seasonal ferries to Bantham.
By bus
Plymouth to Wembury daily (limited on Sunday). For Wembury Point: Plymouth to Heybrook Bay.
By road
For Wembury Point and beach, follow A379 from Plymouth, then turn right at Elburton, signposted Wembury.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome around Wembury. Please keep them under close control around cattle and ponies or on a lead around sheep.
Car park
There are pay and scan machines in the car park. National Trust members park free (please scan your membership card and display the ticket).
Toilet
Toilets are available at Wembury, but are only accessible via steps at present. An outdoor shower is also available.
Café
The Old Mill Café is open for hot drinks and light meals.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Wembury village car park, grid ref: SX528496
Stage 1
From the car park, take the surfaced path passing the tennis courts on your right. Follow the path and go up the steps and immediately left, following the edge of the field and passing residential buildings on your left. At the top of the field go through the gate, turn right onto the lane and then left to cross over the road. Go through the gate, following the path round the edge of the field. At the next gate turn right, heading down the track. At the end of the track turn left and follow the edge of the field. Turn left to leave the field, then right onto the track and after 10m, head straight on into the field. Head down the path that runs parallel to the hedgerow and through the small gate on the left and into the woods.
Stage 2
From the edge of the fields, follow the footpath into the woods. Carry on downwards towards the River Yealm, winding between trees and bushes. You'll pass a couple of signposts for the village. At the second set of signposts, marked for Hollacombe, head downward to the edge of the water where there is a view point and rest area.
Stage 3
Climb back up the bank to the marker signifying you have come 2.5 miles from the village. Take the path to the right and follow it down to the side of the creek. Cross the wooden bridge and continue on the path until you come to twin posts marking the track.
Stage 4
From the twin posts on the track at the bottom of the woods, follow the path along and go up the steep path to the old quarry, signalled with steps at the start. Wander through the overgrown ruins with large blocks of stone, until you pass the final clearing – take a right through the trees here. Now go back onto the track and walk up to the gate of Traine Woods. In wet weather the track can be muddy and slippery.
Stage 5
From the gates of Traine Woods, walk up the track to the main road and turn right towards Hollacombe. After a short walk on the main road, take the first left onto Traine Road (now travelling back on yourself towards Wembury village). Eventually you will reach The Odd Wheel pub and meet the main road again. Turn right onto the main road and after a very short distance, turn left and take the first left onto Barton Close, returning up to your start point at the car park by the community fields.
End point
Wembury village car park, grid ref: SX528496
Trail map
Map route for Wembury woods walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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