Bay Walks is a programme of regular led walks aimed to improve health in the Bay.

If you are looking to improve your health, or would like to meet new people, then Bay Walks could be for you! It’s fun and sociable to walk with others, and in the process you will discover interesting and beautiful parts of the Bay, enjoy the view and feel healthier in all ways.

All walks are led by trained volunteers, are free and open to everyone. All walks are graded to allow you to choose the most suitable one for you. Short walks are recommended for beginners or those recovering from surgery or for those with mobility limitations. Most walks have two walk leaders to cater for all different abilities.

For more information regarding the routes, becoming a volunteer and how to get started please visit our Bay Walks Bay Walks  Opens in a new window False page.

Berry Head National Nature Reserve guards the southern half of Torbay. One of the Gateways to the English Riviera Global Geopark, it is an internationally-acclaimed heritage site, home to a fascinating variety of wildlife and history, with recently restored Napoleonic-War fortifications. Enjoy the stunning views and superb local food at the new Guardhouse Cafe, visit the brand-new Visitor Centre, or walk the ramparts as the soldiers did 200 years ago.

The South West Coast Path runs through Berry Head.

The walks were devised several years ago by the Brixham Buccaneers, a local charitable organisation which presents popular events during the spring and summer, including a series of eight Pirate Days in July, August and early September.

The full-colour leaflets act as guides to the town and its history, as well as providing information about a family treasure trail and discount offers for people who complete the trail.

Both walks, which are also supported by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust  Opens in a new window False, Brixham Community Partnership and Brixham Chamber of Trade, start and finish at the Prince William of Orange statue on the Quay.

Blackbeard's Trail is described as a lovely, moderate, circular walk of about 2.5 miles, overlooking the town, harbour and sea from the northern side.

Buccaneers Way is a moderate circular walk of about two miles, offering wonderful views.

The English Riviera BID Company have a booklet available via email promoting 16 walks in Torbay and the surrounding area. Please email the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre at holiday@englishriviera.co.uk if you would like a copy.

Details of walks can also be downloaded and we hold an amazing English Riviera Walking Festival.

Cockington is a beautiful thatched village with cream tea rooms, arts and crafts studios, an impressive manor house and a bustling pub complete with log fires.

Torquay Harbour to Cockington: Distance 2 miles, estimated time 45 minutes. Set off from Torquay harbour in the direction of Paignton (along the seafront), when you get to Cockington Lane (near the Livermead House Hotel) turn right and follow the Water Meadows path into Cockington Village.

In 2007 the English Riviera was designated a Global Geopark and is one of just 8 sites in the UK and Ireland to hold this special status.

There are loads of opportunities to explore the stunning scenery of the Geopark - kayaking, diving, coasteering, sea-fishing and more - plus walking this beautiful stretch of the South West Coast Path is a must. Local food is really important here too, and you’ll find more of this at the Occombe Farm Cookery School. Check out the Geopark Discovery Packages for more ideas!

The key sites of the Geopark will offer you more of an insight into its history, formation and environment.

To get down into the depths of the Geopark, pay a visit to Kents Cavern, Britain’s “oldest home” and a key archaeological site where bones of sabre-toothed tigers and mammoths have been unearthed. A trip to the Napoleonic fort at Berry Head National Nature Reserve in Brixham will reveal the Geopark’s fascinating man-made and natural heritage, and if you fancy discovering its marine environment, check out the Seashore Centre at Goodrington and spot the – adorable - native marine creatures. Of course, if all you’re after is a stunning view, climb the illuminated staircase of Royal Terrace Gardens on Torquay’s seafront and gaze out to sea!

For attraction information please visit www.englishriviera.co.uk.

Broadsands Beach, circular walk: Distance 6.5 miles, moderate. Coastal and inland footpath, pebble beach, a short section on estuary foreshore. 2 stiles, several gates, 2 short steep climbs and one main road crossing.

OS map Explorer OL20, Grid reference SX896572

Full directions

Starting from Broadsands Beach take the Coast Path to Brixham. At the junction with the old tree, head right inland then left across the golf course. Turn right into Green Lane, turn right at the end, and then left into Bridge Road.

Cross the main road using the subway. Pass Churston Station to your left and take the next left. Just before the Manor Inn, take the left-hand fork to Greenway Garden.  Beyond the village, turn left into Kennel Lane, over the railway bridge and turn right onto Coombe Lane. At the top turn right to Higher Greenway.

At the next T-junction turn left into Greenway. Enter the National Trust's Greenway Estate and go through the gates on your right.  Keep to the right-hand edge of the field.  Follow signs to the right for Galmpton.  Go through the gate and keep to the left-hand fenceline. Take the left-hand gate into the woodland.  Go through the kissing gate and cross Greenway Road.

Climb the two stone stiles and turn right into Lower Greenway Farm yard. Turn left and head towards another old stile and gate. Go through the gate in the right-hand fence heading down towards the stile onto the foreshore. Continue right, along the foreshore.  Walk up the short hill until you come to a right-hand bend. Here take the green lane ahead towards Galmpton Creek boatyards.

Follow the lane uphill past Dartside Boat Park. Turn right to Galmpton at Stoke Gabriel Road. Pass the Post Office and take Slade Lane on your left, to Galmpton Warborough Common. Head for the disused windmill. Cross the main road near the war memorial.

Walk downhill, alongside Bascombe Road until you reach the public footpath on the left.  This footpath emerges on Broadsands Road. Turn right downhill to return to Broadsands Beach.

The John Musgrave Heritage Trail is a 35-mile walking trail encompassing parts of Torbay, South Hams and Teignbridge. It was launched in March 2006 in memory of John Musgrave, former chairman of the South Devon Group of the Ramblers' Association, whose generous legacy to the group on his death in 2003 has been used to fund the development of the trail. John was an enthusiastic walker, leading walks in many of the areas through which the trail passes.

The trail was devised and developed by the South Devon Ramblers and Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, working with representatives from Devon County Council, South Hams, Torbay and Teignbridge Councils, the National Trust at Greenway and the Duke of Somerset's Estate at Berry Pomeroy. The new trail links the existing Dart Valley Trail, Torbay Totnes Trail, Greenway Walk and the South West Coast Path with new sections of path to create a continuous route through some of the best of the wonderful countryside that can be enjoyed in South Devon.

The trail explores over 40 of the region's finest heritage features and takes the walker past creeks and castles, along the coast and through rolling meadows and woodland on footpaths, tracks and quiet lanes. The route is easy to follow, waymarked, suitable for walkers of all abilities and accessible by public transport. Information and interpretation boards along the route add to the walker's enjoyment.

The trail is split into 4 sections allowing walkers to easily select shorter stretches from the 35-mile trail:

• Maidencombe to Cockington
• Cockington to Totnes
• Totnes to Dittisham, where the trail crosses the River Dart by ferry
• Greenway Quay to Brixham

To purchase the John Musgrove Heritage Trail book please call the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre on 01803 211211, or pop in and visit us upon your arrival in the area.

Occombe Farm is a 150-acre organic farm located on the edge of Paignton in Torbay. The farm is operated by a local charity Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. It is open 7 days a week and free to visit. The farm features a Farm Shop, Café, Visitor Centre, Cookery School, Gardens, livestock and a Nature Trail. You can pick up a Map from the Visitor Centre to guide you around.

Occombe Farm Nature Trail: Distance 1.5 miles, estimated time 1 hour. A picturesque farm/countryside walk all on compacted stone paths or boardwalks, some inclines.

The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest National Trail, at a blister-inducing 630 miles. It runs from Minehead in Somerset along the north coast to Penzance in Cornwall, and all the way up the South Coast to Poole Harbour, Dorset.

The path also stretches along the entire length of the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay, where you will find 22 miles of coastal path through some stunning Geopark scenery.

Coast Path Walks on the English Riviera

(Marked by the acorn signposts)

Long Walks

• Torquay to Shaldon/Teignmouth: Distance 10.8 miles, estimated time 5.4 hours
• Torquay to Brixham: Distance 8.4 miles, estimated time 3.05 hours
• Brixham to Dartmouth: Distance 10.8 miles, time 5.4 hours

Medium Walks

• Torquay to Babbacombe: Distance 5 miles (approx), estimated time 2.5 hours. Starts behind the Imperial Hotel
• Torquay to Paignton: Distance approximately 3 miles (mainly level, partly next to the road), estimated time 1 hour
• Paignton to Brixham: Distance 5 miles, estimated time 2 hours

Short Walks

• Torquay to Daddyhole Plain: Distance 1 mile (some steep areas), estimated time 30 minutes. Starts behind the Imperial Hotel
• Paignton to Goodrington: Distance 1 mile (some steep areas), estimated time 30 minutes. Starts at the harbour and follows the path around Roundham Head
• Brixham Harbour to Berry Head: Distance 1.5 miles (some steep areas), estimated time 45 minutes. Follows the path around the harbour, passing the lifeboat station and coastguard cottages.

There are many other fantastic walking areas in south Devon.

Useful websites:

• English Riviera 
• South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• South West Coast Path
• Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
• Global Geopark
• Dartmoor National Park
• National Trust
• South Devon Ramblers
• Torbay Rambling