A Coastal Carriage Drive - Walk

Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Start/End point: Noss Mayo

The River Yealm reaches the sea at a beautiful estuary a little way to the east of Plymouth. It is a popular boat trip from Plymouth, referred to by the boatmen's advertising as the "Fjord of the West". Although a little fanciful, and geographically inaccurate, this description does do justice to the quite steep-sided entrance to the estuary and the superb landscape which results.

A little way up the estuary, on a side creek, lie the twin villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. The latter of these is a good centre for walks exploring the south side of the Yealm Estuary and the adjacent coastline. This circular walk is based in the village and locally is well-known and very popular, since not only does it afford both estuary and coastal scenery but also has no steep gradients. This is largely due to the fact that the section of the South West Coast Path followed here is an old carriage drive and therefore well graded throughout its length.

Relevant maps/guides: Landranger [1:50,000 scale] No. 201 Plymouth and Launceston; Explorer: [1:25,000 scale] No. 0L20 South Devon.

Facilities along route: Noss Mayo has two pubs and public toilets, car park and buses; there is a car park near Little Worswell.

Notes on route: There are no stiles and no steep climbs.
Hints and tips: Most of the route is suitable for those pushing the more robust sort of buggy.
Theme: Country, Coast,
Special Interest: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Nature, Wildlife,
Area: South Devon - South Hams