South Devon AONB
Walks & Trails
![Coastal Path Sign [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]](images/sub/_aonb_31_large.jpg)
![Couple Sitting on Cliff [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]](images/sub/CoupleSittingOnCliff_03-5432_r.jpg)
Bantham to Thurlestone
![Leasfoot Sands looking to Thurlestone Rock [© South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Leasfoot Sand with Thurlestone Rock behind.JPG)
![Thurlestone Church [© South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Thurlestone Church 1.JPG)
Take in the old haunts of Saxons and smugglers, lush coastline and glittering sea, then amble back through the green fields of South Devon.
- Start: Bantham beach car park
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Circular walk: Yes
- Grade: Moderate
- Terrain: Fairly even coastal footpath; surfaced roads; fields and footpaths.
- Obstacles and steep gradients: 6 stiles, 1 fairly steep climb and 1 steep descent.
- Accessibility: The stretch of the route from Bantham to Leasfoot Sand is suitable for ambulate disabled users as a linear or return route, with parking at either end. There are several benches along this section of the coast path.
- Public transport: Bus service 162 between Kingsbridge and Thurlestone. From the bus stop in Thurlestone, walk 50 metres to the war memorial opposite the church, and pick up the route there. For information on public transport in South Hams please call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 www.traveline.org.uk.
- Refreshment stops: Village Inn at Thurlestone 01548 563525; Sloop Inn at Bantham 560489. Bantham Stores includes a small coffee shop, 100 meters up the hill through the village from the Sloop Inn.
- Toilets: Public toilets at Bantham beach car park and across the road near Leasfoot Sands, past the golf clubhouse
- Parking: Private car park at Bantham beach. Cost in 2006 is £5.00.
- Accommodation: Please contact Kingsbridge Information Centre on 01548 853195 www.kingsbridgeinfo.co.uk
- Other facilities: Phone boxes just off the route in both Thurlestone and Bantham. Thurlestone also has a Post Office and village stores. Bantham has a small village stores.
- OS map: Explorer OL20
- Grid ref: SX665437
Directions
Follow the main track through the car park. This leads past the lifeguards' hut and through a kissing gate onto the coast path signed for Thurlestone.
Follow the waymarked path alongside the golf course and past Broad Sands and Yarmouth Sands.
When you reach Leasfoot Sands, turn left by the beach safety sign. Go past the golf clubhouse, and turn left onto the road up to Thurlestone.
At the war memorial. leave the road and continue straight on along a track signed 'Public Footpath Bantham 3/4 mile'. (Alternatively, you can take a short detour along the road to the right here for local facilities and refreshments).
Cross over the stone stile beyond the church and follow the waymarked path across the fields and steeply down to the valley bottom.
At a stile with a large granite block base, cut diagonally across the field to the left, then over another stile onto the path into Bantham.
Turn left at the Sloop Inn, and follow the road back to the car park.
Follow the waymarked path alongside the golf course and past Broad Sands and Yarmouth Sands.
When you reach Leasfoot Sands, turn left by the beach safety sign. Go past the golf clubhouse, and turn left onto the road up to Thurlestone.
At the war memorial. leave the road and continue straight on along a track signed 'Public Footpath Bantham 3/4 mile'. (Alternatively, you can take a short detour along the road to the right here for local facilities and refreshments).
Cross over the stone stile beyond the church and follow the waymarked path across the fields and steeply down to the valley bottom.
At a stile with a large granite block base, cut diagonally across the field to the left, then over another stile onto the path into Bantham.
Turn left at the Sloop Inn, and follow the road back to the car park.
