Devon

Gara Point walk

Grassy clifftops with jagged rocks protruding into the milky-blue sea below the path — The wide coast path locally known as Revelstoke Drive skirts the cliff tops revealing beautiful views | © National Trust/Eric McDonald

A strenuous but rewarding circular walk round the wilder side of the Yealm estuary, from Gara Point to Noss Mayo, taking in a combination of Victorian history and wildlife along the way.

Near to

Wembury

Start point

National Trust car park at Warren, Hannaford Road, Devon PL8 1EL. Grid ref: SX541465.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

Duration3 hours

Dog friendly***

*Easy initially, then steep ascent, steps and stiles. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs must be kept on a lead. 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
National Trust car park at Warren, Hannaford Road, Devon PL8 1EL. Grid ref: SX541465.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Plymouth station is 10 miles (16km) away.
On foot
Between New Barton Farm/Wembury and Stoke Point on the South West Coast Path. Also accessible from Noss Mayo village along Revelstoke Drive.
South West Coast Path
By bus
Services 93 and 94, Plymouth to Noss Mayo.
By road
Between New Barton Farm/Wembury and Stoke Point on the South West Coast Path. Also accessible from Noss Mayo village along Revelstoke Drive.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
National Trust car park at Warren, Hannaford Road, Devon PL8 1EL. Grid ref: SX541465.
Stage 1
From the car park take the track until it joins the coast path, then turn right. You're now walking along Revelstoke Drive (also known as Nine Mile). Looking east you'll see the Gunrow signal station, while directly below you is Blackstone Point, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Continue west along the path, enjoying views over Wembury Bay towards Plymouth Sound, and pass through two gates beside Warren Cottage. If you want to explore secluded Warren beach, and perhaps spot a seal, take the steep path on the left after the second gate (recommended for agile walkers only), otherwise stay on the coast path.
Revelstoke Drive
Admire the Membland Estate carriageway, laid down by Edward Baring, which continues east along the cliffs as far as Beacon Hill. Along the drive there are several carriage walls built to prevent the horses from plunging into the sea on sharp bends. Warren Cottage was once the home of the Membland Estate warrener, and was later rebuilt as a summerhouse and luncheon stop for carriage parties. Lord Revelstoke entertained the future King Edward VII here.
Stage 2
Follow the path until you're above Gara Point. Continue around the headland, passing paths leading down to Gara Point, and an alternative route to Cellars Beach via Greylake Cove. The panoramic view extends from Rame Head in the west, past the Mewstone, Wembury Point, St Werburgh Church, Season Point at the mouth of the Yealm and east to Newton Ferrers.
Gara Point
These slopes have been grazed by sheep for centuries and annual swaling (burning) of gorse ensures a mix of young and old scrub, with corridors of maritime grassland an ideal habitat for scarce wild flowers such as autumn squill, lady’s tresses and slender bird’s-foot trefoil, as well as common centaury, wild thyme and kidney vetch. A disused lookout stands on the Point’s lower slopes, and on clear days you can see the Eddystone lighthouse flashing 16 miles out to sea.
Stage 3
Follow the path through Brakehill Plantation, Continue on past the former coastguard cottages. To visit the old fishing cove of Cellars beach (recommended for agile walkers only), take the path on the left just after you reach Battery Cottage.
Stage 4
Continue along the road into Passage Wood (the path left leads down through woods and along the riverbank to the ferry and village). Turn right at the signposted path to Stoke (for a longer walk, keep on the road to Noss Mayo and the seasonal ferry) and climb the very steep hill, pausing occasionally to take in the views up the River Yealm to Warren Point and Newton Ferrers. Part-way up the hill go through the gate on your left and into Piece Plantation. Go over a small bridge and up some steps to reach a stile.
Stage 5
Turn right, following the track to Worswell Farm (left leads to Noss Mayo). At the junction turn left and follow the lane, with its views of the coast and Dartmoor, until you reach the car park.
End point
National Trust car park at Warren, Hannaford Road, Devon PL8 1EL. Grid ref: SX541465.
Trail map
Map route for Wembury Gara Point walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Grassy clifftops with rocky shore and the sea below

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Clear, shallow sea and a sandy beach, flanked by pale-coloured cliffs and backed by grassy slopes. A walker stands in the distance

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