One of the best things about staying on Beverley Bay is that the South West Coast Path is practically on your doorstep. Within a short walk or bus ride you can choose a flat seafront stroll, a cliff-top garden path or a proper headland with forts and sea views. This guide describes the routes we know, with honest notes on surfaces, effort and dogs. We have not measured exact distances or times, so use them as a rough guide, check a map and wear sensible footwear.
Goodrington Sands to Broadsands and Elberry Cove
This is our go-to walk. From Goodrington Sands you follow the coast path under the railway bridge and along towards Broadsands, with the Broadsands viaduct a notable landmark. Beyond is Elberry Cove and Churston Point, which has a link to Agatha Christie's novel The ABC Murders. Allow a couple of hours if you go the whole way and return.
- Easier option: turn back at Broadsands, where there are beach huts and a beach (dogs are banned there between 1 May and 30 September).
- Elberry Cove is pebbly, with steps down, so take care, and wear shoes that grip.
- Dogs: Elberry Cove is dog friendly all year. See the dog-friendly guide.
Roundham Head and the Cliff Gardens, Paignton
A loop of under a mile from Paignton Harbour (North Quay) follows Cliff Road to the cliff path. You get views towards Torquay, and back towards Goodrington, Brixham and Berry Head. The zig-zag Cliff Gardens run down to the Goodrington promenade, and were built from 1929 by Welsh miners in a Depression-era work scheme. There is a Spitfire-shaped flower bed. The main path is surfaced and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, according to local information, and dogs are welcome, though check for gradients and any steps. It is a great gentle option for a sunset.
Berry Head, Brixham
Berry Head is a national nature reserve with Napoleonic-era forts built between 1794 and 1804. The lighthouse is said to be the shortest in Britain, at about five metres tall and 58 metres above the sea. It is free to enter, but the car park (TQ5 9AP) is pay-and-display. You can also walk up from Brixham harbour along the coast path, about a mile. The Guardhouse Café in the Northern Fort is open daily 9am to 4pm at the time of writing. The headland is breezy and exposed, so bring a windproof layer. Cliff edges are unfenced in places, so keep children and dogs close.
Saltern Cove
Between Goodrington and Broadsands, Saltern Cove is a quieter stretch and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, noted for its geology. Dogs are allowed all year. If you enjoy rock pooling, check the tide times, and take care on slippery rocks.
Cockington and Torquay coast
Further towards Torquay, Cockington is a village with a country park and Cockington Court, a gentle stroll away from the sea. Anstey's Cove and Babbacombe have their own cliff walks, and are listed as dog-friendly beaches all year, though we have not walked every route and suggest you pick up a local map.
Wildlife you might see
We are not naturalists, and wildlife is wild, so we cannot promise anything. The English Riviera tourism site says you may be lucky enough to see dolphins and porpoises from the coast, and Berry Head's cliffs are a place to look for seabirds in the breeding season. Binoculars help, and so does patience.
- Keep dogs on leads near cliff-nesting birds.
- Keep your distance from any wildlife, and never feed it.
- If you find a seal or other animal on the beach, do not approach it. Keep dogs and children away and call a local wildlife rescue organisation or the RSPCA for advice.
- Watch out for gulls, which will happily snatch a chip. See our eating guide.
Staying safe
- Tides: check tide times before walking on beaches or around rocks.
- Cliffs: stay on paths, and avoid edges, especially in wind or rain.
- Weather: take a waterproof, even if the morning looks bright.
- Footwear: trainers or boots with grip, not flip-flops.
- Water and snacks: some stretches have no shops.
- Phone: charge it, and download an offline map.
- Emergencies: call 999 and ask for the coastguard if someone is in trouble on the coast.
Walking without a car
Goodrington Sands is under a mile from the park. The number 12 bus goes to Brixham, so you can walk the coast path up to Berry Head and take the bus back, subject to timetables. See days out from Paignton for more.
Suggested half-day plans
- Easy: Goodrington Sands promenade and Roundham Head.
- Medium: Goodrington to Broadsands, coffee, return.
- Longer: Brixham harbour to Berry Head and back, with a café stop.
On rainy days, see our wet-weather ideas. For other attractions, see things to do near Beverley Bay.
If you would like to stay close to the coast path, our caravan on Beverley Bay is bookable through the button below.
Opening times, prices, seasonal dates and rules change. Please check with each attraction, venue or the park before you travel. This is a privately owned caravan guide, not an official park or tourism site.