I started out in the bustling coastal resort of Torquay, at the north of Torbay, in South Devon. I started walking from Torquay marina: TQ2 5HA and OS grid ref: SX917633 and headed up the hill away from the harbour, with the sea on my right. The walk climbed over Daddyhole Plain before descending again to the beach at Meadfoot beach.
There is another climb out of Meadfoot beach up the spectacular viewpoint over Thatcher Rock, then round to Hopes Nose. Once round Hopes Nose the path continues round Anstey's Cove and Redgate Beach over Babbacombe downs and into Babbacombe itself.
This walk from Daddyhole Plain to Babbacombe is mostly along the South West Coast Path:
with the only detour off the coastal path being the walk around Hopes Nose.
Babbacombe sits high above two beaches and a harbour with footpaths and road access in addition to the historic Babbacombe cliff railway, one of only a few original working funicular railways still in existence today.
It was my intention to catch a bus back from Babbacombe to Torquay, so I started walking back westward along the road. Although there were plenty of bus stops and the buses were frequent, before I knew it, I had nearly walked back in to Torquay so I decided to abandon the bus idea! So this ended up being a Torquay to Babbacombe circular walk, along the coastal path and back through a more built-up area.
The entire walk, of around 8 miles, took just over three hours. I very much enjoyed the parts through woodland, with sea glimpses (as below). Although this walk would not be accessible for anyone with mobility issues, it was reasonable flat and so not too strenuous!
