Synopsis: Just a brief walk over familiar territory to get some exercise and fresh air. The two coves of Maidencombe and Watcombe are wonderful little havens of beauty and tranquillity.
I used this walk to break myself back in gently, since I’d not done any significant walking for over a month, as a result of my youngest daughter Laura’s visit (see previous blog post). As so often is the case, I had nothing planned when I got up this morning, so hurriedly packed sandwiches and bus timetables into my rucksack, and then dashed for the bus stop. I chose to head for familiar territory, as I’d not mapped out a route for a walk.
Maidencombe - Thatched Inn
I caught a bus out of Teignmouth heading towards Torquay and got off mid-way at Maidencombe. From the bus stop a lane drops steeply past the picturesque Thatched Inn, where I stopped briefly for a few photos. I’ve not eaten here, but must try it sometime. It looks idyllic, but you’ll have to wait for a verdict on the food.
Maidencombe
The lane ends at a car park from where a narrow path descends steeply to Maidencombe Cove. This is a lovely, perhaps archetypal Devon scene: a beach in a little out-of-the-way cove, wrapped by deep red sandstone cliffs, with just a little cafe (now closed) the only sign of human interlope. Ironically it’s the inaccessibility of such places such as Maidencombe Cove that is their saving grace.
I returned up the stepped path to pick up the coastal footpath headed in the direction of Babbacombe and Torquay. There were some steep sections to traverse, but luckily I was feeling fit, the most serious deterrent to my progress being the very muddy sections which left me struggling to maintain my footing. The sun continued to shine, and here and there were viewpoints looking right across the bay, where the sea shimmered in the low rays of winter sun.
Watcombe
I arrived at Watcombe Cove through a small woodland scene. The beach was busy! there was someone sitting on the beach with a dog playfully exploring the rock pools. Not long after my arrival, as I took photos of the cove, the walker set off up the hill, leaving the cove to me as I ate my lunch on a rock down on the beach.
There are old photos on the Francis Frith web site that suggest Watcombe was once more popular than it is today. Perhaps the lack of amenities (i.e. a car park) mean that it is no longer the fashionable resort (ok, stretching the term a little) that it once was.
Babbacombe - Oddicombe Beach
As I was finishing my lunch it clouded over and began to rain. I grabbed a quick swig of water and put on my waterproof gear and set off up the hill. Sitting in the rain is not a lot of fun. Yet more steep muddy tracks to follow, but I was soon approaching Petitor, on the outskirts of Babbacombe. I washed my boots by crossing a lawn, so that I’d be reasonably presentable when it came to my catching my next bus. From the promenade in Babbacombe there are splendid views along the coast looking north east towards Teignmouth, and for the briefest moment there was bright sunlight giving me a moment to capture some dramatic shots.
Whilst walking on, the rain came once again, so I decided to catch the next bus into Torquay. I had thought I’d maybe walk around Torquay, but still the rain poured in Torquay, and I decided to call it quits for today, as a bus to Exeter was soon due, and I could make my way home. A brief stroll though this was, it was good to be out exercising, and as can be seen from my statistics, some reasonable energy was expended on a number of ascents.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 4.4 miles
Moving Time: 2hrs 07min
Stopped Time: 58min
Total Ascent: 345 metres
Maximum Elevation: 122 metres
Buses: 2, 11, 32 & X46
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