Winter Walk

Maidencombe and Lyme Bay

Need to know

Distance: 3.5 miles Exertion: Moderate Time: Allow 2 hours Terrain: Coast path of varying quality, some steep sections - can be muddy. Dogs: Under close control near livestock Refreshments: The Thatched Tavern at Maidencombe & beach café in season. Accessibilty: Not suitable for mobility scooters, pushchairs or very young children. Parking: Watcombe Beach Car Park Start Postcode: TQ1 4SH /// happy.backs.lodge

With ground cover of ancient ferns and bracken, the tall and spindly elder and sycamore woodland gives way to soaring towers of weathered Devonian sandstone. One might expect to meet a prehistoric hunting party on a foraging trip from their Kents Cavern home at any turn in the path. Such is the feeling of ancientness one gets when entering the woodland at the beginning of this walk. e formations in the Valley of e Rocks are aweinspiring and make this walk an exciting adventure for families - watch out for the mud in the wetter months, welly boots are a must! e woodland paths are shaded and cool but carpeted with pretty wild owers in the spring. Further along, the pathway deviates from the South West Coast Path along permissive paths and open access land under the Countryside Access Scheme.

Take a break at Maidencombe and enjoy the picturesque beach or the recently refurbished atched Tavern. 

1Leave the Watcombe Beach car park via the stile in the north-east corner and follow the meandering path down through the woodland and into the Valley of the Rocks. The South West Coast Path joins from Watcombe on the right and the path continues downhill veering to the left where it rises fairly steeply on an uneven path with a steel handrail. There are long views above the treetops back towards Hope’s Nose and the Orestone and Tor Bay’s more familiar limestone formations. 2 At the top of the path take the right hand fork downhill until you leave the woods. 3 Ignore the path to the left across open ground and proceed downhill following the coastline then re-enter the woodland via steep wooden steps. 4 After 200 metres or so take the left hand turning to follow the coastline again. At this point one can either cross the stile into open farmland (dogs under close control here) or stay on the path that skirts the pasture along the cliff top. After more rise and fall the path descends into the thatched village of Maidencombe.

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Ordnance Survey©

Crown copyright. Media 082/22

5 The path leads into the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust car park where one can turn right to detour down to the beach or proceed through the car park, following the metalled track uphill to the right, past several residences and back onto the coast path. 6 The path is steep and undulating here. After half a mile take the left turn towards Gabwell Hill Road then after 200 metres another left turn over a stile onto open farmland. 7 Follow the pathway back towards Maidencombe across fi elds and eventually over another stile onto a narrow pathway that leads back into the hamlet. There are stunning views across Lyme Bay to East Devon and as far as Portland on a fi ne day. 8 From the car park follow the road (Rock House Lane) up past the orchard and on to the Court House and the village ’s famous Judas Tree. Take the path marked as the start of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail which follows a higher, meandering route back across farmland and into the ancient woodland to join the coast path again above the Valley of the Rocks which leads back to Watcombe Beach car park.

The Heritage Quiz №5

Can you work out the identities of these famous people who had connections with Torbay and the surrounding areas?

1. If you take a look at photos of Victorian Torbay, you’ll notice that everyone wore a hat – but what type of hat was the most popular?

2. Why was Torquay often referred to as a “women’s town” in the late 19th century?

3. A subterranean river ows under Torquay and was once an open sewer. What is the river’s name? 4. Where in Torbay was a Neolithic Chambered Tomb discovered in 1956?

5. Brandy Cove lies close to Hope’s Nose in Torquay. How did it get its name?

6. A childless Torquay widow Sarah Brydges-Willyams bequeathed three quarters of her estate to a Tory politician (later Prime Minister) in 1863 saving him from bankruptcy and greatly assisting his rise to power. Who was he?

7. ere is a beautiful and well-known limestone sea arch not far from Torquay Harbour. What is it called?

8. During the 19th century Torquay was believed to be the richest town in England and open to new ideas. It was home to a committed and active movement related to food (originally promoted by Pythagoras). What was it?

9. In 1937 she was the highest paid lm star in the world. When just 13 she won a talent competition on Paignton seafront, scooping a pair of roller skates and 10 shillings. Who was she?

10. In 1803 Torbay was considered a prime target for invasion and orders were given by the town’s magistrates to make every preparation including a local volunteer force, strengthened defences at Berry Head and an evacuation plan. But who was the feared invader? 11. What was the name of the founder of Torre Abbey?

12. What caused a major upsurge in holidaymakers visiting Torbay in the late 1840s?

Lodgings

(also Sheri of Devon); 12. The Bay was connected to the rail network. Bridge; 8. Vegetarianism; 9. Gracie Fields; 10. Napoleon Bonaparte; 11. William Brewer goods such as brandy, tea, tobacco and ne fabrics; 6. Benjamin Disraeli; 7. London Broadsands Beach; 5. It was one of several Torbay coves used for smuggling luxury wielded considerable power and in uence; 3. The River Fleet; 4. On a slope above 1. The Top Hat; 2. As a seaside resort Torquay had a large number of landladies who

Answers:

With thanks to Kevin Dixon