Walk - Froward Point

1.8 miles (2.9 km)

Higher Brownstone Car Park, near Kingswear - TQ6 0EQ Higher Brownstone Car Park, near Kingswear - TQ6 0EQ

Easy - The walk from the National Trust car park to the Day Mark is level and smooth, and has spectacular views across the Dart Estuary and Start Bay. Continuing onwards the route is more challenging as the tarmac track descends quite steeply down the 80 metres to the Coastguard lookout and fortifications at Brownstone. There is a gate at the start and one near the end of the downhill stretch of the walk.

The walk from the National Trust car park to the Day Mark is level and smooth, and has spectacular views across the Dart Estuary and Start Bay.

Checked by SWCPA Volunteer David Hinchcliffe - July 2019

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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.

5 Pottery Cottage

07792272338

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

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Dartside Holidays

01803 832093

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

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Eight Bells B&B

07813 803472

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.

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Gull's Cry

0333 202 0899

2 bedroom self-contained holiday chalet, wonderful sea views

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Fairholme B&B

01803 770356

Fairholme is a small and friendly B&B just off the coast path famed for its excellent breakfasts.

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Stoke Lodge Hotel

01803770523

Situated in the heart of Stoke Fleming, Stoke Lodge Hotel is a family-run hotel offering coastal stays, delicious food & drink, two swimming pools and stunning sea views.

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Fords House B&B

07891284636

Fords House B&B

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Whiteladies Self Catering

07979751613

2 bedroom self catering accommodation overlooking the sea

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South Bay Holiday Park

01803 853004

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.

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Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat

01803221255

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

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Dittisham Hideaway

01803 925034

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

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Brixham Holiday Park

01803853324

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

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Sea Tang Guest House

01803 854651

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

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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.

Dartmouth Castle Tearooms

01803 833897

A great pit stop on the coastal path at Dartmouth Castle. Stop off for a hot drink and snack. Enjoy on the outside terrace with excellent views of the mouth of the river.

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Ebb & Flow

01803752335

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

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Dudley's Cafe

01803222294

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.

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Bayards Cove Inn

01803 839278

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.

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The Crab

01803 832998

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.

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Coastal Trail Cafe

01803 832093

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

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Flapjackery Dartmouth

01822 258008

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.

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Salcombe Dairy Shop & Café, Dartmouth

01548843228

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.

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Kings Arms at Strete

01803 770027

Community pub on South West Coast Path with stunning views

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Bespoke Coffee Shop

01803 839035

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

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Blackpool Sands Cafe

01803 222028

Ultimate beach stop-off with stunning views, take-away, restaurant, watersports and beach sauna.

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Old Market House

01803 856891

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

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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.

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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.

NCI Froward Point

01803 262173

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Dartmouth Visitor Centre

01803 834224

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

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Discover Dartmouth at the Flavel Cafe

01803 839530

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

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Sea Kayak Devon

01803 362007

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

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Shoalstone Seawater Pool

01803302024

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.

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Route Description

This walk starts at the National Trust’s car park at Higher Brownstone. Across the end of the car park is a gate, beside which is a gap – go through this and follow the track which will lead you to Froward Point.

Midway, it is worthwhile deviating off the track to take the path running across the field to the hollow stone tower of the Day Mark. This was built in 1864 to help shipping find the entrance to the River Dart.

Much of the area around Froward Point is owned by the National Trust. The Trust works with its tenant farmers, with funding from Natural England, to manage the cultivated land for farmland birds and rare arable plants. Many of the fields are home to the Skylark, a species declining on farmland in many areas. The liquid song of this crested bird can often be heard as it rises in its characteristic songflight. The Linnet, a sociable ground-feeding finch is also found here, as is the rare cirl bunting, with its yellow and black facial stripes and green-brown plumage. Among the rare arable flowers in these fields are the pink lipped flowers of the lesser snapdragon, the bright blue cornflower and the purple and yellow flowers of the sharp-leaved Fluellen.

At Inner Froward Point is the Brownstone Battery complex built in 1942 as a defence against German naval attack. The site was equipped with two six-inch guns taken from a First World War battleship. Each gun had a range of over 14 miles and operated in tandem with a powerful searchlight situated close to the high water mark. During the war, the Battery was manned by up to 300 soldiers, and the cliffs all around were strung with barbed wire. An information panel near the buildings will enable you to orientate yourself, and it is well worth the steep descent and climb back up again to explore the remains.

A National Coastwatch Institute station is now situated at the Battery and has fine views across Start Bay. Visitors are welcome to pop in and say hello at the lookout and to peruse the display in the building opposite.

The Mew Stone, visible off the shore from Brownstone Battery is home to a large seabird colony as well as being the most easterly ‘haul-out’ for grey seals in the English Channel.

Return to the car park following the same route.

Public transport

It is not possible to reach the start by public transport. However, the walk can easily be adapted to start and finish in Kingswear, which can be reached by bus or stream train from Paignton, or by ferry from Dartmouth.

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

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