Old Harry Rocks, Dorset
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in
South Devon, The English Riviera, The Jurassic Coast and Dorset
Plymouth to South Haven Point
21 nights and 20 days walking
following TrailBlazer Guide Book
South West Coast Path Walking Holidays
Itinerary based on the Trail Blazer guide books: Plymouth to South Haven Point
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
South Devon, the English Riviera,
The Jurassic Coast and Dorset
Plymouth to South Haven Point
21 nights and 20 days walking based on the TrailBlazer Guide Book
Enjoy a 216 mile self-guided South West Coast Path walking holiday on the south coast of Devon from Plymouth to South Haven Point or Poole.
On this South West Coast path walking holiday you see the English Riviera, Jurasic Coast, the Isle of Portland, Swanage and Poole Harbour.
We don’t expect you to do the whole South West Coast Path walking holiday in one go!
Take your time and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
We are based in the South West of England and all our team have detailed local knowledge of the whole of the South West Coast Path.
Please see details and prices below.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Plymouth to South Haven Point
Suggested Tour Duration:
21 nights, 20 days walking
Total Distance:
216 miles
Min/max daily distance:
7/14miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Features:
Dartmouth
2 ferries
Jurassic Coast
Undercliff at Lyme
Durdle Door
This route connects with:
South West Coast Path Bude to Plymouth
Dart Valley Trail
Exe Valley Way
Two Moors Way
Purbeck Way
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
South Devon, the English Riviera,
The Jurassic Coast and Dorset
Plymouth to South Haven Point
21 nights and 20 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Plymouth
You make your own way to Plymouth. We can assist with rail and coach transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of the walk.
Day 2: Plymouth to Newton Ferrers 7 miles Easy
Leaving Plymouth you make your way around to Mount Batten Point and follow a very pleasant path along the east side of Plymouth Sound towards Wembury Point. After a laze on Wembury Beach a short stroll takes you to Warren Point and the ferry across the River Yealm to Newton Ferrers. At Wembury the South West Coast Path connects with the Two Moors Way.
Day 3: Newton Ferrers to Bigbury-on-Sea 13 miles Easy, then Strenuous
You start the day with another ferry across Newton Creek, followed by a delightful walk around to the River Erme, which you have to wade across at low tide. The path now becomes a little more undulating before it arrives at Bigbury-on-Sea. Burgh Island can be visited by walking across the sands, or by ‘sea tractor’ if the tide is in. The art deco hotel was an inspiration to Agatha Cristie.
Day 4: Bigbury-on-Sea to Salcombe 14 miles Strenuous
It’s the turn of the ferry across the River Avon today, and then a fairly easy walk until Outer Hope. After Hope Cove the path goes out to Bolt Tail and Bolt Head, after which you turn towards Starehole Bay and Salcombe.
Optional Day: in Salcombe
Spend an extra day in Salcombe to relax and enjoy the town, take a ferry ride up the Kingsbridge Estuary to Kingsbridge.
Day 5: Salcombe to Torcross 13 miles Strenuous
Optional transfer from Starcross to Salcombe if arriving by car.
You start the day on the ferry from Salcombe to East Portlemouth. Then you follow a rugged path out toward Prawle Point, the southernmost point in Devon. The path is quite stunning between Prawle Point and Start Point, and then you walk the long shingle beach to Torcross
Day 6: Torcross to Dartmouth 10 miles Moderate
The South West Coast Path follows the shingle ridge which separates Start Bay from the reed-fringed Slapton Ley, the largest natural lake in the West Country. The Nature Reserve hosts ducks, grebes, swans, herons and otters. As you reach Dartmouth you are treated to a magnificent view of Dartmouth Castle. At Dartmouth the South West Coast Path connects with the Dart Valley Trail.
Optional Day: in Dartmouth
Spend an extra day in Dartmouth to relax and enjoy the town, take a ferry ride up the River Dart to Totnes or a steam train ride to Paignton.
Day 7: Dartmouth to Brixham 11 miles Strenuous
Dartmouth, built on a natural deep-water channel, has been favoured as a port since the 12th century. You take the ferry to Kingswear then follow the path as it follows wooded slopes with fine views across to Dartmouth Castle. An energetic walk brings you to Sharkham Point and Berry Head, before arriving in Brixham.
Day 8: Brixham to Torquay 8 miles Moderate
Brixham is a working fishing port which contains a replica of the Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake’s vessel from 1577-80. The path follows rocky headlands, dense woodland, secluded bays and little parks as it makes its way through Paignton and on to Torquay. At Torquay the South West Coast Path connects with the Dart Valley Trail.
Day 9: Torquay to Teignmouth 11 miles Strenuous
There is plenty to see and do on this section, from Kent’s Cavern to the Babbacombe Model Village. The path winds up and down, in and out through mature woodland as it makes its way through Oddicombe, Watcombe and Maidencombe. You can take the ferry across the River Teign to Teignmouth or walk across Shaldon Bridge.
Day 10: Teignmouth to Exmouth 11 miles Easy
The South West Coast Path makes its way along the breakwater to Dawlish, famous for its black swans. After Dawlish Warren the path follows the River Exe to Starcross. From Starcross you take the ferry to Exmouth for your overnight stop
Day 11: Exmouth to Sidmouth 13 miles moderate/strenuous
This is the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The path leaves Exmouth and makes its way to Budleigh Salterton. You cut inland briefly to cross the River Otter and then along the top of the characteristic red sandstone cliffs of Devon to Sidmouth.
Day 12: Sidmouth to Seaton 10 miles severe
Heading out of Sidmouth you cross the River Sid and make your way up to Salcombe Hill. Following an interesting zigzagging path along the cliffs you eventually come to the quaint village of Branscombe. Leaving Branscombe you walk through the Hooken Undercliff, a chaotic, jumbled wooded slope formed by a landslip in 1790, with red marls, yellow greensand and towers of chalk. After rounding Beer Head you walk through Beer and on to Seaton.
Day 13: Seaton to Lyme Regis 7 miles moderate
Walking through the Undercliff between Seaton and Lyme Regis is like being in a jungle. The rocky shores of Lyme Regis and Charmouth are famous for yielding fossils from the Jurassic period.
Optional Day or Days in Lyme Regis
Spend an extra day or days in Lyme Regis to relax and enjoy this historic seaside town
Day 14: Lyme Regis to Burton Bradstock 11.5 miles Strenuous
The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre down at the beach is full of fossils and is worth a visit. The cliffs are unfortunately very unstable and so the coast path is a little way inland but still affords great views of the Isle of Portland.
Day 15: Burton Bradstock to Abbotsbury 8 miles Moderate
The cliffs here give way to the long pebbly beach of Chesil Bank. The pebbles are bean-sized at this end of the beach, and gradually get larger until they are potato sized on the Isle of Portland.
Optional Day in Abbotsbury: visit the Swannery and Botanical Gardens
Day 16: Abbotsbury to Weymouth 13 miles Moderate/Easy
On leaving Abbotsbury the path, surprisingly, does not go along Chesil Beach but works it way over rolling hills, through fields and past woodlands a little way in from the coast. Then it follows the shores of West Fleet Lagoon until reaching Ferry Bridge, where a narrow spit of land connects with the Isle of Portland. You save the Isle of Portland for tomorrow and stay overnight in Weymouth.
Day 17: Isle of Portland, overnight Weymouth 13 miles Moderate
From Portland Bill you can see more the of coast path than from any other point on the path. On a clear day you can see Start Point in the west and Dulston Head in the east, a distance of 160 miles, over one quarter of the South West Coast Path!
Day 18: Weymouth to Lulworth Cove 12 miles Strenuous
The South West Coast Path leaves Weymouth around Weymouth Bay to Osmington Mills. Leaving Osmington Mills the path soon reaches Burning Cliff, named after its oil shale burst into flames in 1826. On past Bat’s Head and the world famous Durdle Door. The stunning Lulworth Cove is one of the South Coast’s most famous views. At Lulworth the South West Coast Path connects with the Purbeck Way.
Day 19: Lulworth Cove to Kingston 10 miles Severe
From Lulworth Cove the path enters the Lulworth Ranges tank training areas which has fossil remains of an ancient forest some 135 million years old. At Kimmeridge Bay you will see the rare sight of a ‘nodding donkey’ oil pump which has been pumping oil since 1959.
Day 20: Kingston to Swanage 10 miles Severe
At St Alban’s Head there is St Aldhelm’s Chapel and an interesting radar memorial on the headland. This part of the coast path has caves and ledges created from the quarrying of Purbeck Marble. At Durlston Head there is 40-tonne stone sphere carved into the shape of the world.
Day 21: Swanage to South Haven Point/Sandbanks or Poole or Bournemouth 7.5 or 12.5 miles Moderate
On leaving Swanage you head towards The Foreland with its chalk pinnacles known as Old Harry Rocks. You can now see Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight in the distance. From the ferry across the mouth of Poole Harbour to Sandbanks you can see Brownsea Island, famous for its red squirrels. You stay overnight in Swanage again, taking the local bus back to Swanage (payable locally). Or you could walk on to Poole or Bournemouth, an extra 5 miles.
Day 22: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time in the area.
We can transfer you to your car or station
Please note the Plymouth Half Marathon will take place in Plymouth on Sunday 28th April 2024.
This affects the availability of accommodation in Plymouth and our ability to deliver your luggage.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on South West Coast Path we suggest you avoid Plymouth on this date.
Please note the Sidmouth Folk Festival will take place in Sidmouth from Friday 2nd to Friday 9th August 2024.
This affects the availability of accommodation in Sidmouth and our ability to deliver your luggage.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on this section of the South West Coast Path we suggest you avoid Sidmouth on these dates.
Please note the section of the South West Coast Path between Lulworth Cove and Kingston is closed due to live firing on the Lulworth Ranges most week days, and is usually open on Saturdays and Sundays.
The following exceptions apply:
It is open during the following weekdays:
Easter: 29th March to 14th April 2024
Bank Holiday: 4th to 6th May 2024
Spring holiday: 25th May to 2nd June 2024
Summer holiday: 26th July to 1st Sept 2024
It is not open on the following weekends:
16 to 17 March 2024
8 to 9 June 2024
14 to 15 September 2024
As an alternative to walking this section of the coast path, we can offer a transfer around the ranges.
Walking around the ranges involves a 20 mile detour.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on this section of the South West Coast Path please take note of when the ranges are closed.
Please note the Ironman Weymouth will take place in Weymouth on Sunday 15th September 2024.
This affects the availability of accommodation in Weymouth and our ability to deliver your luggage.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on this section of the South West Coast Path we suggest you avoid this date.
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
22 day itinerary
Plymouth to South Haven Point
20 days walking and 21 nights
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Plymouth
Day 2: Plymouth to Newton Ferrers 8 miles easy
Day 3: Newton Ferrers to Bigbury on Sea 13 miles easy, then strenuous
Day 4: Bigbury on Sea to Salcombe 14 miles strenuous
Optional Day: optional extra day in Salcombe
Day 5: Salcombe to Torcross 13 miles strenuous
Day 6: Torcross to Dartmouth 10 miles moderate
Optional Day: optional extra day in Dartmouth
Day 7: Dartmouth to Brixham 11 miles strenuous
Day 8: Brixham to Torquay 8 miles moderate
Day 9: Torquay to Teignmouth 11 miles strenuous
Day 10: Teignmmouth to Exmouth 8 miles easy
Day 11: Exmouth to Sidmouth 13 miles moderate/strenuous
Day 12: Sidmouth to Seaton 10 miles severe
Day 13: Seaton to Lyme Regis 7 miles moderate
Optional Day: optional extra day in Lyme Regis
Day 14: Lyme Regis to Burton Bradstock 11.5 miles strenuous
Day 15: Burton Bradstock to Abbotsbury 8 miles moderate
Optional Day: optional extra day in Abbotsbury
Day 16: Abbotsbury to Weymouth 13 miles moderate/easy
Day 17: Isle of Portland 13 miles moderate
Day 18: Weymouth to Lulworth Cove 12 miles strenuous
Day 19: Lulworth Cove to Kingston 10 miles severe
Day 20: Kingston to Swanage 10 miles severe
Day 21: Swanage to South Haven Point/Sandbanks 7.5 miles moderate
with option to walk on to Poole or Bournemouth, an additional 5 miles
Day 22: Depart after breakfast
22 day itinerary 21 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2024 | £2,604 | £3,843 | £4,263 |
All prices subject to change
Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Plymouth to South Haven Point
Can be added when booking online
Subject to availability Supplement per person per night
Salcombe
Fortescue Inn
double/twin
£49.99
single
please ask
Dartmouth
Bayards Cove Inn
double/twin
£55.00
single
please ask
Weymouth
Hotel Rembrandt
double/twin
£59.00
single
please ask
Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove Inn
double/twin
£55.00
single
please ask
Swanage
Grand Hotel
double/twin
£62.50
single
please ask
Pines Hotel
£39.50
please ask
Purbeck House Hotel
£60.50
please ask
What’s included
in your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- guide book
- Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps
Optional Extras
for your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
What’s not included
in your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday Plymouth to South Haven Point:
How to get there
- By Plane to Exeter or Bournemouth where we can arrange transfer to Plymouth
- By Car to Plymouth where parking is available
- By Train to Plymouth
- By Bus to Plymouth
A 630 mile walking route which starts in Minehead in Somerset, goes through Devon and Cornwall and finishes in South Haven Point in Dorset. This forms part of the England Coast Path.
This is one of our Coastal Walking Holidays in UK and Ireland, one of our Cornwall and Bodmin Moor Walking Holidays, one of our Devon and Dartmoor Walking Holidays, one of our Dorset and Jurassic Coast Walking Holidays, one of our Somerset and Exmoor Walking Holidays, and also one of our National Trail Walking Holidays.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
We have Coastal Walking Holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Arran Coastal Way in Scotland
- Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland
- Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland
- Channel Islands
- Cleveland Way part of the England Coast Path
- Cumbria Coastal Way part of the England Coast Path
- Dingle Way in Ireland
- England Coast Path
- Fife Coastal Path in Scotland
- Great Gardens of Cornwall
- Great Gardens of Devon
- Guernsey, Herm and Sark in the Channel Islands
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- Isle of Man
- Isle of Mull
- Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall
- Jersey Coastal Footpath in the Channel Islands
- Kerry Way in Ireland
- Lecale Way in Northern Ireland
- Lleyn Peninsula, part of the Wales Coast Path
- Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Northumberland Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Pembroke Coast Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- Rye to Ramsgate on England Coast Path
- Solent Way part of the England Coast Path
- Somerset Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- South West Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Suffolk Coast Path
- Tarka Trail in Devon
- Wales Coast Path
We offer National Trail walking holidays in England and Wales in the UK.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Cleveland Way
- Cotswold Way
- Cumbria Coastal Way part of the England Coast Path
- England Coast Path
- Glyndwrs Way in Wales
- Hadrians Wall Path
- Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- North Downs Way
- Offas Dyke Path in Wales
- Peddars Way
- Pembroke Coast Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- The Ridgeway
- South Downs Way
- South West Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Thames Path
- Yorkshire Wolds Way
