Bolberry Down and Soar Mill Cove… 5 miles (8km)

Bolberry Down, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks

History, mystery and nature combine to create a walk that takes in much of Look out for stonechats, cirl the scenic coastline of South Devon; beautiful and surprising in equal bunting and Dartford warblers measure. (pictured) amongst the scrub.

Start: Port Light Inn Grid ref: SX688385 Map: OS Landranger 202

How to get here and local facilities

By foot: from Plymouth to Saltram, passing , Hope Cove, Bolt Head, Bolberry Down and Sharp Tor (all National Trust). © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk By bike: On National Cycle Network route 2, see www.sustrans.org.uk By bus: Regular bus services from Totnes railway station and Plymouth city centre to . From Kingsbridge, buses to and Thurlestone. Bus from Torcross to Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Plymouth At times, the beach has been By train: Totnes 16 miles; Plymouth 24 miles strewn with tea, timber and By boat: Daily ferry from Salcombe to East Portlemouth (all year) and to South marble from wrecked vessels. Milton Sands (April to October); ferry from Kingsbridge to Salcombe (May to On the sandy lower cliffs, you September) might find rock samphire, sea By car: A381or A379 towards Kingsbridge, then B3197 south to Marlborough. beet and rare rock sea- At Marlborough crossroads take second left to Bolberry Farm and Port Light lavender. Out to sea is the Hotel Ham Stone, where shags, gulls

and fulmars breed. Refreshments at Port light Inn and Soar Mill Cove Hotel © Jeremy Grimoldby

Look out for… t Port Light Inn: Built in 1909, this was originally the clubhouse for the Bolberry In May, the seaward slopes are Down Golf Club, which closed in 1914. In the Second World War it was a a carpet of spring squill and the dining area for RAF personnel at the nearby radar station. rocks are dotted with thrift, stonecrop and kidney vetch. t Bolberry Down: Flint scrapers, arrows and axe-heads from 1,500BC or Dunnock, yellowhammers and earlier, have been found on these slopes. The coastline from Bolt Tail to whitethroat nest here. Sharpitor is home to a variety of insects, bird and plant life from orange dodder Butterflies include the silver- and cat’s ear to crickets, lizards and the incredibly rare short-necked oil beetle. studded blue, marbled white (pictured) and brown argus. t South Downs Farm: A haven for all types of local wildlife, from deer to birdlife © Kate Sheard and everything in between that helps create a sustainable and balanced eco- system. Directions

1. Follow the field edge, soon passing a row of upright stones; the first of several you’ll see along the route. These might be 18th-century enclosures, or even prehistoric field walls. To the west are views over Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island, the setting for two of Agatha Christie’s mystery novels. 2. Join the coast path above Ferryhole Point. For a 45-minute detour to the Iron Age cliff fort at Bolt Tail, turn right through the stone gateway, otherwise turn left to follow the path across Bolberry Down. Continue along the cliffs, taking the lower route where the path forks. Look for occasional bits of brick and concrete beneath your feet – the debris of RAF Bolt Tail radar base, blown up after the war. Follow the path around the cliff and back towards the car park, crossing over a damp flush thronged with hemp agrimony, purple loosestrife and grey willow. 3. At the car park, follow the coast path out onto West Cliff towards the ridge of Cathole Cliff, with the Warren beyond. 4. Continue down the spine of Cathole Cliff. At Cathole Point, turn left and descend the zig-zag path to the valley bottom. Turn right and follow the path to Soar Mill Cove, passing an inscribed gatepost (a piece of shipwreck

timber). © Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey. All rights reserved. OS licence no. AL100023974 5. Having visited the cove, leave the beach to the east, cross the footbridge, and turn left up the slope, keeping an eye out for sika deer in the fields. 6. Emerging into a lane, follow it past the Soar Mill Cove Hotel. This low building Distance, terrain and accessibility has come a long way – once a cinema in Devonport dockyard, it was Allow at least 2½ hours for this 5 mile (8km) walk. Moderate climbs, transported here after the end of the Second World War to be added to the uneven paths and muddy in winter. Paths at Bolberry Down are existing guest house, built in 1925. Continue up the lane into Lower Soar, and accessible to wheelchairs and buggies. bear left along the road. At the second junction, climb the ladder stile on your left into the fields of South Down Farm. 7. Cross two fields and turn right at the far hedge towards the farm. In winter

these stubbled fields are a feeding ground for migrating and resident birds. Contact us Go over a stile and onto a track, over a second stile and follow the path around the back of the barns, through a gate and onto another track. Take the Telephone 01752 346585 path on the right, along the field edge and eventually turn left into Jacob's Email [email protected] Lane. Follow this ancient lane to reach the road, turn left and return to the car park.

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