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.

Earlston House Hotel

A 9 room dog friendly B&B with excellent reviews, super views, very close to the South West Coast Path and a large hot tub to relax in.

Clinmore House

Situated in the coastal town of Paignton, Clinmore House is a bed and breakfast comprising of four bedrooms (three doubles and one twin) and off street parking.

The Clifton at Paignton

Steve and Freda look forward to welcoming you to the Clifton, which is ideally located, just off the sea front. Around the corner from shops and stations. Within easy reach of Dartmoor.

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.

The Osborne Apartments

Luxury self catering apartments nestled in the heart of the English Riviera with stunning sea views.

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

Quarry Lake Camping

2 miles from SWCP, simple pitches on working sheep farm. Pub within 1 mile.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dartmouth Visitor Centre

Find out everything you need to know to enjoy your visit to Dartmouth and the surrounding area uth

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.

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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