6th Dec 2019

Countryside Walks Around Teignmouth

The town of Teignmouth is best known for its coastal location, wonderful seafront and estuary views, however there is so much more to the town. Throughout the town and surrounding it there are some amazing open spaces, nature reserves and parks which are great for those looking for a countryside walk.

To give you some inspiration on where to take a leisurely stroll or a vigorous walk, we’ve listed some of the great walking destinations in and around Teignmouth below.

Coombe Valley Nature Reserve

To the north west of Teignmouth, Coombe Valley Local Nature Reserve is a wildlife corridor nestling between housing developments which has created a green valley. The area was once farmed and is a patchwork of meadows linked by a network of paths.

The grasses and wildflowers of the meadows, as well as the stream and pond are home to a range of wildlife including butterflies and dragonflies, while the bushy hedgerows provide habitat for a host of nesting songbirds.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive by foot with pedestrian access from Valley Close, Galloway Drive, Beechwood Court, Moorview Drive, Lake Avenue, Gilbert Avenue and Howard Close.

Eastcliff Park

Sitting on top of the cliffs above the sea and the railway line to the north of the town centre is Eastcliff Park. The large open space of the park consists of three distinct parts The Rowdens; a lawned area with large Rhododendrons, the Dell; a sub-tropical garden and Mules Park; open meadows with coastal views and specimen trees. Within the park there is also a secret walled garden which is around a century old.

The park is most easily accessed by the footpath leading from Eastcliff car park or by walking up Eastcliff Walk which leads from the seafront.

Homeyards Botanical Gardens, Shaldon

Across the river mouth from Teignmouth, situated on a sloping hillside above Shaldon, is Homeyards Botanical Gardens. Within Homeyards there are many interesting features to explore including a pond, rill garden, an Italian rockery as well as a castle. From the gardens, visitors can enjoy glorious views of the Teign Estuary, the town of Teignmouth and the East Devon and Dorset coastline in the distance.

There are five pedestrian entrances, four of which incorporate steep steps, there are two long surfaced paths running the length of the gardens from east to west, which are connected by steps.

The Ness, Shaldon

At the south of the Teign Estuary mouth The Ness is hard to miss. The dramatic red sandstone headland, which was planted with trees in the late 19^th century probably to honour Queen Victoria, offers stunning views of Shaldon, Teignmouth, the Teign Estuary and out to sea.

At The Ness you’ll find Monterey pine, a valuable habitat for woodpeckers, jays and other woodland birds plus spring flowers and autumn fungi. A circular footpath allows you to explore this little copse. The area is also on the South West Coast Path, which if followed will take you all the way to Torquay. The Ness can also be reached from the large pay and display car park off Ness Drive.

Little Haldon Heaths

Situated to the north of the Teign Estuary about one mile from Bishopsteignton you’ll find Little Haldon Heaths. There are two areas of lowland heath which makes up Little Haldon Heaths, each has a car park and picnic area: Whitewells Picnic Area & car park at the south corner of the golf course and Postman’s Path Picnic Area & car park, at the top of Shepherd’s Lane. Both areas of heath are linked by a public footpath and both are rich in wildlife.

Due to the very acidic well drained soil, the most common plants found here are common heather, bell heather, western gorse and the Devon whitebeam, an attractive small tree found mostly in Devon. Walking around Little Haldon Heaths will reward you with some magnificent panoramic views.

Templer Way

Teignmouth and Shaldon lie at the end of the 18 mile Templer Way, a way marked trail which traces the historic route of granite from the quarries on Dartmoor to the docks at Teignmouth. By following the Templer Way from Teignmouth you’ll enjoy a scenic walk following the Teign Estuary, and the foreshore, viewing the wildlife that lives on and by the water all the way to the Town Quay in Newton Abbot. If walking this section of the Templer Way tide times should be checked.