LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 53              Total: 478 miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
5.75 hours             n/a       5.5 miles       90%       Drizzle and Sun
Companion:  Ann

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
 18oC        80%          30%        Good          Good Underfoot 
Nature:  Wild Flowers & Cormorants

Points of Interest:
Strete				Dart Estuary	Deadmans Cove
Inner Froward Point	Blackpool Sands		
Ladies Cove			Kingswear	Baynards Cove Castle				


General:
Ann & I parked the car in Kingsmear Marina Car Park and walked
to the Lower Ferry to cross the Dart Estuary to Dartmouth. We 
strolled along the Dartmouth Harbour from ferry to Royal Avenue 
Gardens, where we walked for a short while around the gardens, 
before waiting at the nearby bus stop for the number 93 to Strete 
Village and the 'Start of the Walk'. We alighted from the bus just 
before the village of Strete, where a finger post for the South 
West Coastal Path (SWCP) is just to the east. Going through the 
kissing gate by the finger post we turned east, parallel with A379. 
Almost immediately we found an old log converted to a seat and 
sitting down to test it, found it good. We continued on around the 
steep valley and along the Path to the A379. Can you, or did you, 
find the lone tree from the Path on way to A379? Turning west for 
20 yards (metres) along the A379, we crossed the road with care 
to a short path leading to a kissing gate. We crossed fields to a 
narrow lane where there were good views of Blackpool Sands 
and the coastline. From the lane we turned right, downhill to the 
steps and junction of Norns Lane and the A379, then crossed the 
lane to a finger post and kissing gate, just before the old 
packhorse bridge. We followed the line of the main road towards 
the picturesque cottages by Blackpool Gardens on Blackpool 
Valley Road. At its junction with the lane we crossed the main road 
with great care, to a short path, then another path which followed 
the main road east. From the Path there were good views of cliffs 
and Blackpool Sands. Typically there are few places to sit on the 
way, so we had a short break for lunch at the bus shelter on the 
A379. We made our way back to the Path by the main road around 
the top of the cliffs, reaching the A379 at the start of a narrow 
footpath to the Old Road. Again extra care was required to cross 
the busy main road. We then followed the road or lane into the 
village of Stoke Fleming, winding our way through the village to 
Ravensbourne Road which required us to dog-leg left and right 
across the A379, yet again. Don't miss the "Laughing Dragon" at 
the beginning of Redlap Lane, on the right. Onwards towards 
Redlap Road and the car park, after Redlap settlement, turned 
right into south car park, walking through and onto track to 
Warren Cove. Before the track descends steeply to Warren Cove, 
we walked east towards the Dart Estuary, but stayed high at the 
top of the cliffs and passed many coves. Excellent views there, not 
to be missed. At Castle Road turned right at nearby finger post 
and pillar, down a path, through the woods to rejoin Castle Road. 
Walked north along Castle Road for 30 yards (metres) to another 
finger post and pillar and then turned right, down the path to 
Dartmouth Castle and Castle Point, while noting the Kingswear 
Castle on the eastern shore of the estuary. Although we found 
Dartmouth Castle disappointing, the surroundings and scenery 
made up for it. We continued along Castle Road in the direction of 
Dartmouth and just after the small beach of Warfleet Creek we 
joined the B3205 and Warfleet Road. Turning right towards 
Dartmouth along a narrow road, the gaps in the houses or hedges 
gave us an opportunity to take good photos of the surrounding 
picturesque scenery. Just before the town centre it's worth 
allowing enough time to visit Bayard's Cove Fort. Leaving the Fort 
we continued for the last short section along Bayard's Cove 
(street) to the lower ferry and the 'End of the Walk'. The centre of 
such an historic and beautiful town is worthy of spending some 
time exploring. An excellent walk throughout, topped off by the 
departure of the steam train, Goliath No. 5239 leaving Kingsmere 
Station across the harbour, on the Preserved Dartmouth Steam 
Railway.