Walk - Fishcombe Point

3.5 miles (5.7 km)

Car Park, Broadsands Beach - TQ4 6HX Car Park Broadsands Beach

Moderate - Coast Path, a country lane and a track.

A gentle stroll around the Domesday estate of Churston Ferrers, passing the twelfth century manor and its associated coaching inn, said to be haunted by one of the Benedictine monks attached to the abbey. The route follows an ancient green lane, as well as a coffin way and a modern walking trail, and celebrities visiting the area over the centuries included explorers, a villain and a Dame of the Realm!

Churston Cove, Elberry Cove and Fishcombe Cove are all dog friendly beaches. Have a look at our Top Dog Walks on the South West Coast Path for more dog friendly beaches and pubs. 

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Beverley Holidays

Award-winning holiday parks offering unforgettable camping, lodge and caravan holidays in Paignton at the heart of the English Riviera.

Brixham Holiday Park

Nestled just 150 yards from the nearest beach, Brixham Holiday Park boasts an idyllic setting in the breathtaking landscape of South Devon

Sea Tang Guest House

Friendly, family run guest house located a few steps form the sea with beautiful views across Torbay.

Roadtrip Tavern

I have a loft space that is divided into 4 separate pods and is open plan like a dormitory and is specifically for SWCP Walkers.

Devon House Guest House

A lovely period Guesthouse with victorian features. 5 minutes walk to the Coast Path. Single night stays welcome.

South Bay Holiday Park

Set above the bustling town of Brixham, this lively holiday park has an action packed entertainment programme & childrens' adventure playground. Direct path to the delightful St Mary's Cove and the SW Coast Path. Range of chalets and caravans.

Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat

Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat offers lodge holidays and lodge ownership in a fabulous location, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, just 1.5 miles from the coast and Brixham harbourzstunning

Mercure Paignton

Experience the true English Riviera at Mercure Paignton Hotel, a seaside haven on Paignton seafront, your gateway to Devon's stunning coast and countryside. Enjoy sea-view rooms and unforgettable experiences.

Berry Head Hotel Ltd

AA 4 star Hotel & Apartments with stunning sea views at the waters edge. Bistro & Restaurant, Indoor Pool on the Coastal Path.

The Miggi

Vegan, LGBTQ+ friendly, book-themed guesthouse, just 100m from Coast Path. Dogs very welcome. Cruelty-free, plastic-free toiletries. Big beautiful breakfasts included!

Dittisham Hideaway

A Luxury Collection of Spacious Treehouses, Luxurious Shepherds Huts and a 1950's Vintage Airstream

Dartside Holidays

Dartside Holidays offers riverfront apartments with views and parking—a perfect Dartmouth stop for South West Coast Path walkers

Waterfront House

We have been awarded gld in the best bed and breakfast in Devon and silver in the best bed and breakfast n the south west . Set in a breath taking spot on the harbour

Eight Bells B&B

Variety of breakfasts with a stunning view. On waterfront, a few minutes from the Coast Path. 1 double, 1 family room. Both ensuite. Sleeps 6 max.

Haytor Hotel

Elegant and welcoming Victorian villa, offering delicious breakfasts, a peaceful night's sleep. 4 mins walks from harbour and beach.

Kingsholm Guesthouse

A beautiful Edwardian house in Torquay. About 200m to restaurants and 300m to harbour. No. 22 bus stop, which runs from Dawlish Warren to Paignton just a few meters away

The Torcroft

The Torcroft is an award winning elegant Victorian villa, fully refurbished to a high standard, minutes from Torquay seafront & harbour.

The Cimon

The Cimon, a gorgeous Victorian villa, a few minutes walk from the Coastal Path, restaurants and attractions. Muddy boots welcome. Seasonal outdoor heated pool & bar.

The 25 Boutique B&B

Funky 5-star adult-only boutique B&B, (twice named “Best B&B in the World”) located in easy walking distance of the coast path, restaurants, tourist attractions & harbour

5 Pottery Cottage

Warfleet Creek House adjacent to the Coast Path (Gallant's Bower) Sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms with off street parking. Available all year.

The Cleveland Bed and Breakfast

Consistently rated one of the 'best bed & breakfasts' in Torquay, The Cleveland is ideally located for access to the South West Coast Path and all local amenities.

You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Old Market House

Overlooking Brixham harbour and operating across two floors, our restaurant serves a delicious menu that showcases fresh, locally sourced food.

Harbour Light

Light-filled, rustic tavern with a terrace offering bay views, plus a menu of pub classics.

The Guardhouse Cafe

Home-made seasonal food, cream teas and delicious coffee, all served with a smile and stunning views from our cliff-top Napoleonic Fortress. Open all year.

Bespoke Coffee Shop

Specialist coffee shop serving Voyager coffee, organic teas, single origin hot chocolates, sourdough toasties and locally sourced cakes and treats.

Kings Arms at Strete

Community pub on South West Coast Path with stunning views

Salcombe Dairy Shop & Café, Dartmouth

Our ice cream and bean to bar café is set in the beautiful coastal town of Dartmouth. It’s an irresistible spot for walkers in need of sustenance.

Flapjackery Dartmouth

Stop off and treat yourself or stock up for your trip along the Path with these delicious, award winning, gluten free flapjacks in a variety of flavours.

The Crab

Waterside Bar with superb views, open 7 days a week.. Selling excellent section of beers, wines and hot/cold drinks. Bring your own food invited.

Coastal Trail Cafe

Stop by Coastal Trail for refreshments and quality outdoor gear—ideal for South West Coast Path walkers seeking a quick break or essentials

Ebb & Flow

An independently run cafe in Kingswear with a spectacular view! Serving breakfast from 8am and a range of homemade cakes and light lunches

Dudley's Cafe

Family run cafe. We are conviently located close by to the Lower Ferry and the South West Coast Path. Food and drink served all day from all menu's.

Bayards Cove Inn

Just a stone's throw from Bayard's Cove, this historic 14th century inn offers an all day seasonal menu in its cafe bar and restaurant and seven luxurious rooms. A perfect base from which to explore Dartmouth and the Path.
What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Shoalstone Seawater Pool

Shoalstone Seawater Pool is a great place to swim and paddle, and picnic on the green looking across the Bay. Shoals Café serves breakfasts, lunches and evening meals.

Sea Kayak Devon

Experience Devon's stunning coastline by sea kayak. Let our guides take you on an unforgettable journey. Individuals, groups, families. No experience necessary.

Discover Dartmouth at the Flavel Cafe

Lively arts cafe in centre of Dartmouth with information about things to, where to go and places to stay in the area. Or for more information on line please visit www.discoverdartmouth.com

English Riviera Tourist Information Centre

Find all the information you need about accommodation, things to do and places to go to enjoy your visit to the English Riviera.

Cockington Country Park

Cockington Country Park is a beautiful mix of picturesque well-ordered garden landscapes, open parkland, rural countryside and substantial woodland.

Interactive Elevation

Route Description

  1. From the car park behind Broadsands Beach take the old farm track past Elberry Farm, bearing right to follow it between fields, until you come to a kissing gate on the left. Go through the gate to cross Churston Golf Course on a clearly-marked pathway.

Churston Golf Club was established in the late nineteenth century. The 18-hole course benefits from good drainage as a result of the shillet and shale beneath the surface, meaning that the greens are in good condition throughout the year. For your own safety please stay on the waymarked path and watch out for flying golf balls.

In 1938 novelist Agatha Christie and her husband bought nearby Greenway as a holiday home, and her detective novel 'Murder on the Links' was inspired by one of her visits here.

  1. Reaching the old Brixham road, carry on ahead, past the church, keeping left at the junction and turning left onto the track just beyond it, following it down to Churston Cove and Fishcombe Point.

The road from the church towards Brixham was once known as the Lych Way, or the Way of the Dead, and was the route used to carry coffins to the church to be buried. The village derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon words 'cyric' meaning 'cross' and 'ton' meaning a settlement. The cross that gave Churston its name once stood near this road junction.

Known as Quay Lane, the track is one of the area's many ancient green lanes, possibly dating back three or four thousand years.

You are also walking on the John Musgrave Heritage Trail, a 35-miles walking trail set up in memory of the Chairman of the local branch of the Ramblers' Association.

Agatha Christie regularly attended services at the Church of St Mary the Virgin when she was holidaying here. In 1955 she donated the royalties from her short story Greenshaw's Folly (which appeared in The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding) to the church. The gift paid for the east-facing stained glass window, depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd, in her favourite mauves and greens. The window was designed by Bideford artist James Patterson.

Churston Court in Church Street is a twelfth century manor house and is a listed building. In the sixteenth century a frequent visitor to the court was Tudor adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh, accompanying his half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who lived at Greenway. Sir Humphrey achieved fame when he discovered and colonised Newfoundland, and the subsequent links between the two areas continued for many generations. A notorious twentieth-century visitor was Bruce Reynolds, who hid here after the Great Train Robbery and managed to avoid detection even though police followed him here.

Next to the church, the Churston Court Inn also dates back to the twelfth century and its kitchen is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monk.

  1. At Churston Cove turn left to climb steeply along the edge of the woodland, following the South West Coast Path to Elberry Cove, where you descend to the pebble beach.

Surrounded by woodland and fringed with rocks, the sand and shingle beach at Churston Cove is a secluded and tranquil place. The romantic-looking building at the end of the beach was a seawater bathing house built by Lord Churston in the nineteenth century, and in the trees behind the cove a number of carved tree stumps are camouflaged by their natural surroundings.

  1. From Elberry Cove the Coast Path skirts around the seaward edge of Elberry Common to bring you back to the car park at Broadsands.

Public transport

For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Broadsands Beach (Postcode for Sat Navs: TQ4 6HX).

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