Shaldon – Devon is surrounded by some wonderful scenery from rolling hillsides to ancient green lanes to bracing cliff pathways with views over Lyme Bay. It location at the mouth of the Teign estuary which is teeming with wildlife means that there is always something new to see so every walk is different!
The South West coast path meanders along the coastline with some breathtaking views and challenging hills and there is an ancient tidal walk up the estuary called the Templer Way.
There are also numerous circular walks in and around the village which take in ancient lanes with Devon bank hedgerows which are full of birds, flowers and berries! You might even spot the cirl buntings flitting around the hedges, they are a rare sight in other parts of the country but love this sunny corner of Devon.
South West Coast Path
At 630 miles long, the South West Coast Path is the longest and has just been voted the best National Trail in Britain.
It follows the coastline of the South West peninsula from Minehead on the edge of the Exmoor National Park in Somerset, through Cornwall and Devon and finishes at Poole Harbour in Dorset.
Many walkers complete the trail in reverse but whichever direction they are taking, Shaldon features as an overnight stopping point.
The trail is also accessible to those staying in Shaldon for a holiday or short break.
The 10.8m (17.3km) walk from Torquay to Shaldon is graded as strenuous whereas the 7.9m (12.7km) walk from Shaldon to Exmouth is classified as easy and tides permitting allows a wonderful walk along the coastline above the beaches of Teignmouth, Dawlish and Dawlish Warren before catching the ferry (April to October) at Starcross across the River Exe to Exmouth.
The SW Coast path is well signposted, just follow the acorn symbol (indicating a National Trail) on the signs. For more information visit www.swcp.org.uk
Templer Way
The Templer Way is an 18 mile trail linking Haytor on Dartmoor and Teignmouth, passing through Shaldon. It covers a wide range of scenery- open moorland, woodland, meadow, historical tracks, urban land and estuary foreshore.
It is named after James Templer who was born in Exeter in 1722. Having amassed a fortune in India, he returned to Devon and purchased the Stover Estate near Newton Abbot. His descendants developed Stover canal and a tramway from Haytor to transport clay and granite quarried from their land down to the sea port at Teignmouth.
The Templer Way traces this route and much of the route from Coombe Cellars along the estuary to Shaldon is tidal so check before setting out!
Pick up a free Templer Way booklet from the Tourism Centre on the Ness car park.
Labrador Bay Nature Reserve
The RSPB bought this nature reserve especially to help the rare cirl buntings. The word “cirl” is derived from the Italian word for chirping.
You can see the cirl buntings here in all seasons and there are three walking trails to follow, ranging from easy to difficult.
Located just off the Torquay road, there is a car park with spectacular views over Labrador Bay and on a clear day you can see Portland Bill in Dorset, fifty miles away.
For more information visit Website
South of the Teign Circular Walks
A series of easy walks through beautiful South Devon countryside and never far from the stunning Teign estuary.
Keep your eyes open for soaring buzzards, green woodpeckers and tiny, trilling wrens. Along Devon’s ancient green banked hedgerows, look out for blackthorn, wild roses and May blossom – followed by sloes, rosehips and haws! From the estuary shore, watch out for herons, brilliant white Little egrets, Oystercatchers, and big boldly marked Shelduck. The estuary is a haven for migrating birds throughout the winter and a magnet for birdwatchers.
Pick up a free map from Shaldon Tourism Centre on the Ness car park.