A view over the rocky cliffs and grassy fields towards the mouth of the river Dart at Dartmouth, with rocky cliffs on the other side of the river, and a tiny rock islet — Walk towards the harbour of the river Dart at Dartmouth | © Phil Hemsley

Devon

Circular walk from Little Dartmouth

A beautiful four-mile circular coastal walk with some impressive sea and estuary views, following the boats along the coast towards the safe harbour of Dartmouth. Along the way you'll see birds, grasshoppers, crickets and butterflies and, for many the highlight of the walk, the ruins of Gallants Bower, an old Civil War fort with impressive 360-degree views.

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Total steps: 5

Start point

Little Dartmouth National Trust car park, Devon TQ6 0JR. Grid ref: SX874491

Step 1

Follow the path at the southern end of the car park towards the sea, joining the coast path at Warren Point. The Point gets its name from the large burrows where rabbits were bred for meat and fur in the 19th century (long gone now). From the Point there are far-reaching views south across Start Bay to Start Point Lighthouse 8 miles (13km) away.

Step 2

Follow the coast path eastwards passing Western Combe Cove (don't be tempted by the steep unstable steps carved into the cliff face). Walk past the gorse-covered outcrop of Combe Point and the rocky inlets of Shinglehill Cove and Willow Cove. (You'll pass an inland path which offers a short cut back to the car park.)

Step 3

The coast path eventually loops around Compass Valley. At the finger post follow the sign to continue on the coast path, across the field and then through the gate towards Dartmouth. At this finger post you could alternatively head seaward to visit a view point or detour down to Compass Cove before retracing your steps to rejoin the coast path.

Compass Cove

The cove was once the site of an old cable house, part of an early communication system that used electric signals transmitted over wires to send messages. It was from here on 2 November 1870 that one of the earliest undersea telegraph cables to Guernsey was laid. Although soon after it was decided to move this end into the harbour at Dartmouth. The cable was 67 miles (108km) long and was in use until the 1950s, except during the German occupation of the Channel Islands in the Second World War when it was severed.

Step 4

Continue along the coast path and onto Blackstone Point. Follow the path as it climbs steeply through woods above Deadman's Cove and Sugary Cove, until you reach the lane at Compass Cottage (if you turn left here you can bypass Gallants Bower and return to the car park). On the estuary below stands Dartmouth Castle (English Heritage) with refreshments and toilets.

Dartmouth Castle

Dartmouth Castle was built between 1481 and 1494. Kingswear Castle, on the opposite east bank, was completed just a few years later, and together the twin forts guarded the narrow entrance to the estuary and the prosperous merchant port. At times of threat, a great chain was stretched across the water and raised to obstruct any attacking ships. Dartmouth Castle is owned by English Heritage and is open all year; Kingswear Castle is now a holiday cottage owned by the Landmark Trust.

Step 5

Turn right, going downhill along the lane. After a short distance on the left take the path up into Gallants Bower (Dartmouth Castle is now below you). Follow the path up through the woods. Through the gate into the open area - the site of the fortification. Take the path westwards staying below the fort. Then back through a gate and down through the woods and on to the lane. Bear right heading up hill, passing the old Coastguard Station and continue along the bridleway back to Little Dartmouth car park.

Gallants Bower

Although now just a ruin, the fort is still an impressive place to explore with amazing 360-degree views across the estuary and inland. Built between 1643 and 1645 to defend Dartmouth against the Parliamentarians, it saw the fiercest action in 1646, when it came under attack from Roundhead forces under General Fairfax. The Royalists had already fled the town and the castle and finally retreated to Gallants Bower where they soon surrendered. Four years later the the fort was dismantled. It is now one of the best preserved in the country.

End point

Little Dartmouth National Trust car park, Devon TQ6 0JR. Grid ref: SX874491

Trail map

Little Dartmouth Circular Walk map, Little Dartmouth, Devon | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0JP

01548562344

littledartmouth@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Walkers on the coastal path at Little Dartmouth, Devon

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