Day 43 – Paignton to Plymouth

Wow!  The weather today was stunning for late October.  The freshness of the bright blue sky over Devon reminded us of the time we spent living in California, though Devon was a little colder 😉

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Wembury, Beach, Mill, National Trust, Stream, Sunset, Bay, Devon
Wembury Beach

 

Paignton

Coastal Road Trip, Paignton, Pier, Sunrise, Beach, Devon
Another early start as we watched the sunrise over Paignton Pier.
Coastal Road Trip, Paignton, Pier, Underneath, Sunrise, Beach, Devon
Taking a look under the 238 metre long pier.

 

Broadsands

Coastal Road Trip, Broadsands Beach, Torbay, Devon
Julian had many fond memories of Broadsands Beach, having spent many summers here as a kid.

 

Brixham

Coastal Road Trip, Brixham, Harbour, Golden Hind Museum Ship, Houses, Fishing Boats
As well as many working fishing boats, there was also an interesting replica of Sir Francis Drake’s The Golden Hind ship sitting in the harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Brixham, Marina, Yachts, Boats
Brixham Marina.  William Prince of Orange and his Dutch army landed at Brixham in 1688 (the marina was built much later!).  Many locals still have Dutch surnames.
Coastal Road Trip, Breakwater, Lighthouse, Torbay
The lighthouse at the end of Brixham’s long breakwater, with Paignton Pier in the background.  The breakwater was great for a brisk walk and for its panoramic views across Torbay.

 

Berry Head

Coastal Road Trip, Berry Head, Brixham, Sharkham Point, St Mary's Bay
Driving along typically narrow Devon lanes, we arrived at Berry Head.  As it was a clear day, we had lovely views west past Sharkham Point and St Mary’s Bay.
Coastal Road Trip, Berry Head, Lighthouse, Brixham, Torbay
The lighthouse at Berry Head, the shortest lighthouse in Great Britain (6 metres), but also one of the highest above sea level (58 metres).
Coastal Road Trip, Berry Head, Brixham, Sharkham Point, St Mary's Bay, Compass Statue, Jarno
Jarno checking directions on Berry Head’s Compass.

 

Dartmouth

Coastal Road Trip, Dartmouth, Higher Ferry, Kingswear - Dartmouth
A short drive southwest took us to the River Dart, where we crossed from Kingswear to Dartmouth on the Higher Ferry.  Great timing too, as the ferry was just boarding as we arrived, so we drove straight on.
Coastal Road Trip, Dartmouth, Higher Ferry, Kingswear - Dartmouth, River Dart
Looking up the River Dart on the short ferry crossing.
Coastal Road Trip, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Higher Ferry, Kingswear - Dartmouth, River Dart
The Britannia Royal Naval College sitting above Dartmouth.
Coastal Road Trip, Dart Marina, Dartmouth, River Dart, Devon
Plenty of yachts moored in the Dart Marina.
Coastal Road Trip, River Dart, Kingswear, White House, Castle Road, Boats
Driving along more narrow lanes took us to Dartmouth Castle, with stunning views across the Dart to some fabulous looking houses over at Kingswear.
Coastal Road Trip, Dartmouth Castle, Saint Petrox Church, River Dart, Kingswear
The 15th century Dartmouth Castle next to Saint Petrox Church, overlooking the mouth of the River Dart.
Coastal Road Trip, Castle Cove, Dartmouth Castle, Devon, Bridge
Looking down the steep cliffs to Castle Cove.

 

Blackpool Sands

Coastal Road Trip, Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands, Devon, Blue Sky, Green Fields
A clear view across Start Bay past Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands.   We could hardly believe this was Devon at the end of October.
Coastal Road Trip, Blackpool Sands, Beach, Waves, Blue Sky, Pebbles
Waves crashing on Blackpool Sands.
Coastal Road Trip, Blackpool Sands, The Venus Cafe, Beach
Looks can be deceptive, it was actually pretty chilly whilst taking a break at The Venus Cafe.
Coastal Road Trip, Blackpool Sands, Bay, View from west, A379
Looking back down on Blackpool Sands as we continued our coastal drive.

 

Strete

Coastal Road Trip, Strete, Forest Cove, Sheep, Green Fields, Devon
Driving to Strete we passed sheep enjoying the autumn sunshine in the fields above Forest Cove.

 

Slapton Sands

Coastal Road Trip, Slapton Sands, Strete Gate Beach, Devon, Julian, Jarno
Strete Gate Beach at the north end of Slapton Sands, which is technically a bar (a coastal one, not one you go for a drink in).
Coastal Road Trip, Slapton Sands, Tank, Torcross, Exercise tiger memorial, Sherman tank memorial,
At the southern end of Slapton Sands we reached Torcross, and the Sherman tank at the Exercise Tiger Memorial.

 

Start Point

Coastal Road Trip, Start Point, Freshwater Bay, Hallsands, Beesands, Views to Kingswear and Slapton Sands
The views from Start Point across Freshwater Bay and Start Bay were breathtaking.  We could see all the way back along the coast we had just driven along in the morning.
Coastal Road Trip, Start Point, Hallsands, Freshwater Bay
Hallsands perched on cliffs next to Start Point.
Coastal Road Trip, Start Point, Lighthouse, Freshwater Bay
Walking along the South West Coastal Path to Start Point Lighthouse.
Coastal Road Trip, Start Point Lighthouse, Devon
The Grade II listed Start Point Lighthouse.
Coastal Road Trip, Start Point, Mattiscombe, South West Coast Path
As we walked back along Start Point’s ridge, we had super views looking west along the South West Coast Path towards Mattiscombe.
Coastal Road Trip, Start Point, Paraglider
A lone paraglider above the Start Point cliffs.
Coastal Road Trip, Start Point, Devon Lane, Seaview, Blue Sky, Green Field
More narrow coastal lanes as we drove to and from Start Point.  There were not many passing places, but fortunately it was very quiet this Monday morning.  However, we then attempted to drive to East Prawle, but the lanes got so narrow that both sides of the car were being scratched by the hedges!   At the first opportunity we then tried to make it back to slightly larger lanes.  One recommendation, best to come here in a small car, a car you don’t care about or a tractor.

 

West Charleton

Coastal Road Trip, West Charleton, A319, Cottages
A typical Devon village road winding its way between cottages at West Charleton.

 

Kingsbridge

Coastal Road Trip, New Bridge, Bowcombe Creek, Kingsbridge Estuary, Sun reflection
The low autumn sun reflecting on Bowcombe Creek near Kingsbridge.

 

Malborough

Coastal Road Trip, Malborough, Fields, Lincombe, Kingsbridge Estuary, A381
Views over Lincombe to the Kingsbridge Estuary, along the road to Malborough.

 

Salcombe

Coastal Road Trip, Salcombe, Harbour, Batson Creek, Lifeboat, East Portlemouth
Looking across Batson Creek, from Salcombe to East Portlemouth.
Coastal Road Trip, Salcombe, Union Street, Lifeboat Station, Batson Creek, East Portlemouth
Be careful where you drive!  Union street ended abruptly at the lifeboat station.  Salcombe really was a maze of tiny roads.  Fortunately, as it was a quiet day out-of-season, we were really lucky to park on a street right down by the harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Salcombe, Ferry Inn, Pub, Devon
The local pub squeezed into the waters edge by the ferry landing.
Coastal Road Trip, Overbecks, National Trust, Views to, Salcombe, East Portlemouth, Mill Bay, Kingsbridge Estuary
We wound our way up through more tiny lanes to Overbecks, a National Trust property overlooking Salcombe.  Unfortunately it had closed for the season, so we peeped over the garden walls to take in the the views across Salcombe Harbour and the Kingsbridge Estuary.

 

Hope Cove

Coastal Road Trip, Hope Cove, Outer Hope, Beach, Views to Burgh Island and Bigbury Bay
The Outer Hope Beach at Hope Cope, and our first glimpse across Bigbury Bay to Burgh Island.
Coastal Road Trip, Hope Cove, Inner Hope, Lobster pots, Harbour
Lobster pots sitting along the sandy Inner Hope Harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Hope Cove, Inner Hope, Boat, SE12, Harbour
Boats tied up on the Inner Hope Beach.

 

Aveton Gifford

Coastal Road Trip, Aveton Gifford, Bridge End, Tidal Road, River Avon
On our way to Bigbury-on-Sea, we somehow ended up on a shortcut alongside the River Avon at Bridge End, near Aveton Gifford.
Coastal Road Trip, Tidal Road, River Avon, Aveton Gifford, Bridge End, Boats, Devon
The aptly named Tidal Road had little protection from the River Avon.  Anyway, we continued on our way and were fortunately fine.

 

Burgh Island

Coastal Road Trip, Burgh Island, Hotel, Agatha Christie, Sunset, Bigbury Beach, Pilchard Inn
We arrived at Burgh Island just as the sun started to go down.
Coastal Road Trip, Burgh Island, Hotel, Agatha Christie, Bigbury Beach, Pilchard Inn, Julian, Jarno, Dusk, Devon
The Island is most famous for its Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel.  Agatha Christie wrote a few of her books whilst staying here.  Julian was also lucky enough to stay here several years ago (in the Agatha Christie room), and loved it!

 

Newton Ferres

Coastal Road Trip, Newton Ferrers, Noss Mayo, Boats, Newton Creek, Dusk
Newton Creek surrounded by Noss Mayo on the opposite side, and Newton Ferrers on our side.

 

Wembury

Coastal Road Trip, Wembury, Beach, Mill, National Trust, Stream, Sunset, Bay, Devon
Great, we made it to Wembury Beach, our final stop just before the daylight disappeared.  There was a little stream running down the beach, which made a great end-shot for the day.  That’s all for day forty-three.  On Day forty-four we will continue our coastal road trip from Plymouth.

 

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