BBC - Devon Great Outdoors - Walks - Noss Mayo, River Yealm and coast path walk in the South Hams

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24 September 2014

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Riverside and coastal walk in South Devon

The River Yealm at Ferry Wood near Noss Mayo

This four mile circular walk takes you alongside the River Yealm and onto one of the most stunning stretches of the South West Coast Path - at Wembury Bay in the South Hams. It's not a strenuous walk, but you need to be reasonably fit.

Take an interactive walk around Plymouth's historic waterfront.

SEE ALSO

Coast Path celebrates 25th anniversary

Hartland Quay to Hartland Point coast path walk

Walk along the coast path at Branscombe

River Otter and heritage coast walk

Dart Valley Trail

Lydford Gorge

Walks Index

WEB LINKS

South West Coast Path Association

South West Coast Path website

South Hams District Council

National Trust

Walking Routes UK

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

FACTS

The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest national trail.

It runs from Minehead in Somerset to South Haven Point near Poole in Dorset - a total of 630 miles.

2003 is the 25th anniversary of the completion of the path.

This walk is contained in Brian Le Messurier's book, "South West Coast Path: Falmouth to Exmouth."

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Noss Mayo circular walk
Distance: 4.25 miles
Time: 90 mins - 2hrs
Going: Moderate
Points of interest: Great Mew Stone, Wembury Point, Noss Mayo village

This walk is a must for local people and visitors alike. The views are great - and there's a lovely pub meal overlooking the creek at Noss Mayo to look forward to at the end of it.

The walk starts in the village of Noss Mayo. Turn right from the village car park and then bear left as the road drops down into the main village.

Keep going past the Ship Inn and beyond the village through National Trust woodland - first Ferry Wood and then Passage Wood.

Walking through the woods

This stretch of the walk is right next to the River Yealm.

There are loads of places to stop and take in the river views here - on the day of this walk, there were little boats to be seen everywhere along this bit of the river.

The river estuary widens as you get nearer to the sea. Here you can see Wembury Point - and the Great Mew Stone (did you know that mew is an old word for gull?).

This is a sensitive area for marine wildlife, and the coastline is stunning.

The Great Mew Stone, seen through the fog

As you emerge from the wooded area, bear left around Mouthstone Point and the coast path takes you eastwards.

You'll go past Gara Point and a succession of little, rocky coves until you reach Blackstone Point.

The path is level and well surfaced - and the views are magnificent.

It was originally cut out of the rock by a character called Lord Revelstoke who wanted a drive for horse and carriages. Hence its name - the Revelstoke Drive.

The landowner employed a team of men to do the work so he could show off his manor to his friends...and now, the path is there for all of us to enjoy.

Turn back inland just after the path loops around Blackstone Point, and follow the footpath back to a public car park. Turn left at the entrance and follow the lane back to Noss Mayo.

You'll emerge close to the car park where you began the walk.

On this route, you'll get to say 'hello' to some very placid cattle and sheep, and you'll see plenty of flowers and birds - depending on the season.

There are inclines and downhill stretches - but nothing too steep and the walk is suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit.

Give yourself between 90 minutes and two hours...and then enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at the Ship Inn at Noss Mayo, where the garden area overlooks the water.