A wild and rugged coastline. A hugely rewarding coast and estuary walk with peerless views from some of the most dramatic cliffs in the area. It ends with a huge vista of South Devon, and the welcoming sight of Kingston village snuggled amongst the fields.
A
South Hams walk
posted on 04/06/21 by South Devon AONB. Last update : 06/07/22
Description
(S/E) Follow road from church past Dolphin pub. Take the next right, and then turn left in front of Rock Cottage. Follow the lane, which becomes public bridleway along track.
(1) When you come to a gate go straight on signed ‘Permissive Footpath Westcombe Beach ½m’.
(2) At Westcombe Beach turn right and follow coast path which climbs steeply. Continue on the Coast Path along cliffs. In time the path curves round into the mouth of the Erme estuary. Where the path drops down to Wonwell Beach you can, if the tide is out, follow the foreshore around to where the old slipway leads you back up to the road. Otherwise, continue along the coast path until you drop down steps to the lane end at Wonwell.
(3) From lane end follow road up for 70m then turn right up public footpath into woods signed ‘Kingston 1 ¼m’. Where you leave the woods, follow path along top field edges then follow fingerposts across more fields to the road.
(4) Turn right. Turn left at crossroads at Wonwell Gate cross to return to the church.(S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 98 m - St James the Less church
- 1 : km 2 - alt. 38 m - Gate
- 2 : km 2.66 - alt. 7 m - Westcombe Beach
- 3 : km 6.99 - alt. 14 m - Lane end
- 4 : km 8.46 - alt. 116 m - Road
- S/E : km 8.96 - alt. 98 m - St James the Less church
Useful Information
Start : St James the Less church, Kingston TQ7 4QE
Terrain : Fairly even underfoot. Footpaths and bridleway, with mud in wet weather; coastal footpath; surfaced road.
Parking : Limited parking on roadside by Church or pub, Kingston TQ7 4QE. Alternatively, lane at Wonwell (grid ref. SX 620477) and join route there.
Public transport : Very limited service, see www.travelinesw.com
Refreshments : In Kingston
Toilets : Nearest public toilets Bigbury-on-Sea Car Park, or Brownston St, Modbury.
To see a complete list of walks and access up to date walk information and difficulty please go to South Devon here.
The Kingston walk can be accessed via www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/portfolio_page/kingston-5-5m/
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
