Walk 3041 - printer friendly version

Thurlestone circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.0 miles / 6.5 km

Ascent - 250 feet / 76 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference SX663437
Lat 50.278085 + Long -3.8777723
Postcode TQ7 3AN (approx. location only)

This short walk offers some superb views of Burgh Island and includes a fine section of cliff top walking. The start is the large car park (grid ref. SX663437) between the beach and the village at Bantham on the south side of the River Avon. Bantham is reached by a lane (narrow in places) from the A381/A379 near Churchstow.

After parking we decided the first priority was to visit the beach. Facing the sea we walked to our right and then continued around the Ham, an area of dunes adjacent to the river, before making our way back to the kiosk where you pay parking fees. Continue along this road past the Sloop Inn. Bear right at the road junction and then turn sharp right to pick up the signed footpath to Thurlestone. This descends to a field. Turn sharp left and then cut across the field to follow a well beaten track up a steep hill. During this ascent you get excellent views to the beach and beyond.

Follow the signed route to Thurlestone joining a tarmac road near the church (grid ref. SX672428), which is on your right. Continue past the war memorial and down the lane passing tennis courts on your left. Turn right onto the driveway to the Golf Club and continue on until you arrive at the sea (grid ref. SX674421). Turn sharp right to pick up the South West Coast Path keeping the sea on your left.

All that remains is to follow the clear path back to the car park at Bantham enjoying the magnificent seascapes as you walk. Do be careful if you have small children with you as there are a couple of sections of the path with a steep drop to the sea. Looking back you will see a rock arch just off the coast and as you get nearer to Bantham look out for the small rock stack beside the cliffs. As you near the Avon estuary the view to Bigbury-on-sea and across the water to Burgh Island is superb and is probably the highlight of the walk.

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