GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Thurlestone and Bantham Walk

4 miles (6.5 km)

This circular walk on the Devon coast explores the area around Thurlestone village.
On the way you'll visit Thurlestone Sands beach and Bantham, while enjoying wonderful views over Bigbury Bay. There's also some wonderful geology and nice views of the South Milton Ley River which runs just east of the beach.
The walk starts at the National Trust car park at South Milton Sands. The area is a popular place with a beautiful beach, rock pools and fine views of the Thurlestone Rock archway. From here you can pick up a section of the epic South West Coast Path and follow the waymarked footpath north towards Bantham, passing Warren Point, Loam Castle and Leas Foot Sand on the way. You'll head along the dunes at Bantham Sands before turning south to Thurlestone village and the golf course.

Postcode

TQ7 3JY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Thurlestone OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Thurlestone Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Beach House cafe is located close to the car park at the start of the walk. They serve delicious locally caught seafood which you can enjoy outside with a sea view.

Dog Walking

The beach and coastal paths are great for dog walking. The cafe mentioned above also welcomes dogs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Avon Estuary Walk starts from the Bantham Sands car park. It will take you along the wildlife rich river estuary with a ferry ride to the lovely settlement of Bigbury on Sea on the other side. Here you can explore the wonderful Burgh Island, the inspirational setting for the Agatha Christie mystery 'And Then There Were None'.
The Thurlestone to Hope Cove Walk starts in Thurlestone and will take you south along the coast path to the picturesque Hope Cove at Outer Hope.

Photos

South Milton Beach - geograph.org.uk - 1436878

South Milton Beach

Thurlestone Sand and Warren Point (geograph 5028176)

Thurlestone Sand and Warren Point

Rocks and pools near Warren Point - geograph.org.uk - 1513111

Rocks and pools near Warren Point. Jagged barnacle-encrusted rocks and deep pools make this a very irregular wave-cut platform. The prominent building on the clifftop, in SX6742, is The Links, formerly a hotel and now apartments. 

Thurlestone, Bigbury Bay - geograph.org.uk - 421999

Thurlestone, Bigbury Bay. Seen from the coast path looking west-north-west. The end of Burgh Island, way beyond the square, is just visible beyond the first headland

Thurlestone Rock - geograph.org.uk - 1590247

Thurlestone Rock from which the village, visible in the far distance takes its name.

Bantham Valley, Beach and Car Park - geograph.org.uk - 1435404

Bantham Valley, Beach and Car Park. A view encompassing most of this grid square taken from the footpath which climbs the steep hillside south of Bantham Village. Beyond the car park and beach Bigbury, Burgh Island and the cliffs beyond Bigbury can be seen.

Bantham - geograph.org.uk - 1513284

Bantham. The village seen from Thurlestone Footpath 19 across the Buckland Stream valley, with the Avon estuary on the left.

Footbridge near Thurlestone Sand - geograph.org.uk - 2457424

Footbridge over the river near Thurlestone Sand

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Thurlestone.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')