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)
Kingston
![St James Church [Seb Kelly © South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/St James Church 200.jpg)
![Westcombe Beach [Seb Kelly © South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Westcombe Beach 200.jpg)
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.
- Start: Parish Church of St James, Kingston
- Finish: Parish Church of St James, Kingston
- Distance: 6 miles
- Circular walk: Yes
- Grade: Strenuous
- Terrain: Fairly even underfoot. Footpaths and bridleway, with mud in wet weather; coastal footpath; surfaced road.
- Obstacles and steep gradients: 6 stiles (3 can be bypassed); 1 flight of steps; 3 steep ascents; 1 steep descent.
- Accessibility: This route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Public transport: Very limited. Bus service 875 to Kingston from Modbury and Plympton; Fridays only. For information on public transport in South Hams please call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 www.traveline.org.uk.
- Refreshment stops: Dolphin Inn, Kingston 01548 810314.
- Toilets: Nearest public toilets Bigbury-on-Sea Car Park, or Brownston St, Modbury.
- Parking: On roadside by St James Church, Kingston. Alternatively, on road at lane end, Wonwell (grid ref. SX 620477) and join route there.
- Accommodation: Please contact Modbury Tourist Information Centre 01548 830159 www.modburytic.org.uk
- Other facilities: Public payphone at Chapel Row, Kingston.
- OS map: Explorer OL20
- Grid ref: SX635478
Directions
Follow road from church past Dolphin pub. Take the next right, and then turn left in front of Rock Cottage.
Follow lane, which becomes public bridleway along track.
When you come to a gate go straight on signed ‘Permissive Footpath Westcombe Beach ½m’.
At Westcombe Beach turn right and follow coast path which climbs steeply. Continue on 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.
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. Turn right. Turn left at crossroads at Wonwell Gate Cross to return to the church.
Follow lane, which becomes public bridleway along track.
When you come to a gate go straight on signed ‘Permissive Footpath Westcombe Beach ½m’.
At Westcombe Beach turn right and follow coast path which climbs steeply. Continue on 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.
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. Turn right. Turn left at crossroads at Wonwell Gate Cross to return to the church.
