Coleton Fishacre

This is a walk that’s full of surprises. Starting near the lovely National Trust house and gardens at Coleton Fishacre, it runs along a particularly beautiful piece of the South West Coast Path (much of which was purchased by the National Trust in 1982), dropping down into Pudcombe Cove and along the lower edge of the gardens before climbing steeply up the other side of the valley and back on to the open cliff. Shetland ponies have been kept here in the past to encourage regeneration of the indigenous vegetation. Further on along the path you will find all sorts of strange concrete structures scattered about the cliffs, causing you to wonder what on earth it is you’ve stumbled across. The scenery changes again as the walk takes you inland along the eastern side of the Dart estuary, with fine views of the 15th-century Dartmouth and Kingswear castles. For sheer variety and constantly changing themes, this walk is very hard to beat

Given to the National Trust in 1982 by Roland Smith, Coleton Fishacre enjoys a spectacular setting in this very quiet corner of South Devon – it’s very much off the beaten track. The house, reflecting the Arts and Crafts tradition, was designed and built in 1925–26 for Rupert and Lady Dorothy D’Oyley Carte, of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. It is sited at the head of a deep, sheltered combe, providing the perfect environment for its 15-acre (6ha) sub-tropical garden, based around a succession of streams and water features that fall gently down the narrow combe towards the sea at Pudcombe Cove.

The remains of Kingswear Castle (1491–1502) lie near to Point 7. Similar in shape to the square tower at Dartmouth Castle on the opposite shore, it was abandoned soon after 1643, outclassed by the range of guns available at its counterpart, and today belongs to the Landmark Trust and is available as holiday accommodation. The official title of the group of buildings encountered on the coast path south of Kingswear is the Inner Froward Point Coast Defence Battery, dating from World War II and almost complete, apart from the guns. There are the remains of all kinds of wartime constructions here, apart from the lookout just above the sea. The site includes the foundations of several Nissen huts, two shell magazines, two gun positions and a shell incline, and two searchlight emplacements near sea level. It’s all a trifle unexpected after the peaceful approach along the coast path but reflects the importance of the river mouth to successive military generations.

Walk through the kissing gate in the top corner of the car park (by the donation box) to take the permissive path towards a metal gate and stile (‘link path to Ivy Cove’). Keeping the hedge right, walk downhill to cross another stile, then another, and then another at the bottom of the field. Bear left to another stile. Continue uphill to reach the coast path (signs to Pudcombe Cove, right)

Turn right and follow the path along the cliff. Eventually go through a gate and descend steeply and over a footbridge to reach the gate at the bottom of Coleton Fishacre gardens (there is no public right of way into the gardens).

Follow the coast path on, then sharp left up steep wooden steps, to leave the estate via a gate and on to Coleton Cliffs. The path drops steeply, then climbs again above Old Mill Bay – with great views of the Mew Stone – followed by a steep climb up to Outer Froward Point, with views towards Start Point. The path undulates, then climbs steeply to reach the back of Froward Cove. Follow coast path signs left for Kingswear.

Pass through a gate, keep ahead, then follow coast path signs left, very steeply downhill through woodland. The path then undulates towards Inner Froward Point.

The look-out (once housing a searchlight) is the next landmark, followed by 108 steps up to a gun emplacement. Follow the miniature railway line uphill, then follow the concrete walkway and steps through disused wartime buildings. At the top reach a path junction by the National Coastwatch Visitor Centre.

Turn left for Kingswear to walk through woodland behind Newfoundland Cove, through a gate, and down a broad woodland track (estuary on the left). Plod down 84 steps to Mill Bay Cove and turn right down a tarmac way. Turn left through a gate and climb the 89 steps up to a drive, then 63 more steps to a lane.

Turn right (signed ‘Brownstone’). After 250yds (229m) the lane forks; gratefully take the right fork downhill to Home Farm complex (signed Home Cottage).

Follow the footpath signs, right, up a steep, rocky path to a concrete lane, and on to pass Higher Brownstone Farm. Walk on up the lane to pass the National Trust car park, then the gates to Coleton Fishacre, and back to Coleton Camp car park.