Brixham to Babbacombe

(Our overall day number 44 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 10a - Kingswear to Dawlish)

Brixham to Babbacombe

7th October 2023 | Miles 13.7 | Elevation gain 2365ft

A 13.7 mile walk along the English Riviera. Some gradients at the start heading out of Brixham, down to Churston Cove, and then up again over Fishcombe Point, down onto Broad Sands, and then a reasonably flat broad sweep along the English Riviera, to Paignton and then on to Torquay. The climbing starts again on leaving Torquay, climbing up to round the headlands before reaching Babbacombe.
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Getting there and back
We caught the no 12 bus to Brixham from The Strand at Torquay. At the end of the day we climbed up into Babbacombe to catch the 22 bus for the short ride back to Torquay.
Weather conditions
Unseasonably warm and sunny for early October, we were in danger of overheating, even on the long flattish stretch through Paignton and Torquay
Walking difficulty
Moderate - we'd been thinking of this as an easier day along the English Riviera, but it was actually quite tough - a couple of short steep climbs at the start of the day, followed by a long stretch of mostly promenade, through Paignton and Torquay. Should have been easy, but it was unseasonably warm for October and dragged on a bit, and by the time we hit the final four miles, with plenty of ups and downs around to Babbacombe, we were finding the going tougher than expected

The story of our day in photos

Brixham Harbour, early on Saturday morning
Full size replica!
Coffee to kick off day 2 - Brixham
Seals, just on the way out of Brixham
On the way into Churston Cove
Churston Cove
Looking back down on Churston Cove, after the really quite sharp climb
Elberry Cove, with Churston Point the far end of the beach
Looking across the English Riviera!
Walking across Churston Point
Broadsands
Little climb out of Saltern Cove
Looking back towards Brixham
Dartmouth Steam Railway - named after Sarah!!
Goodrington Sands
Some coast path markers are harder to spot than others!
Coming into Paignton
Pasties at the beach 👌😊
The beach at Torquay
Torquay Marina
Near Meadfoot Beach
Thatcher Point - just about to turn north towards Babbacombe
Looking back at Hope's Nose, from the climb towards Black Head
Babbacombe - a bit off the path, but where we caught the bus back to Torquay
Twinkly lights - looking across Torbay towards Paignton, happy end to day 2
Useful links
Harbour 16
We ate here on our first evening. Posh souvlaki, burgers, fish and cocktails as well!
The Guard House Cafe, Brixham
Amazing location on Berry Head with great views. Just about the first opportunity for a refreshment stop since Kingswear - mainly a cafe, but happily for us it does have a couple of local beers!
The Cider Press, Torquay
A lively locals pub, it does serve cider as well as some decent beer
Meat 59, Torquay
We had dinner here on our second evening - classy burgers from a small independent business
The Bay Coffee Company, Brixham
We had a coffee here before we started our second day's walk - right on the waterfront and outside seating
Divers Arms, Babbacombe
We had a well earned pint in their fab beer garden, at the end of a very hot day of walking around the English Riviera!
Small World Tapas, Torquay
We walked past this small independent restaurant the previous evening and it looked lively. Great food to share, it was our favourite spot of our visit.
The Proper Coffee Shop (takeaway pasties for lunch in Paignton)
Very decent pasties from here for lunch, halfway through day 2
Cafe Rio, Maidencombe
For some reason it was a mission to find a bacon roll or any kind of breakfast at Babbacombe early on a Sunday morning - too early for the Torquay golf club (they don't start bacon rolls til 9) and then nothing on the path until the lovely Cafe Rio, four miles in. very welcome bacon rolls and coffee, overlooking Maidencombe Beach.
The Cones, Teignmouth
Ice creams from a little cone shaped kiosk soon after we started walking up the promenade in Teignmouth
Offshore Bar, Torquay
Celebratory drink after getting off the bus back to Torquay, walking all done
Rockfish, Torquay
Posh fish and chips on our final night in Torquay
Bus & Train information
Coleton Fishacre
A National Trust property situated on the walk from Kingswear to Brixham, just after the 3 mile mark. The back entrance is right on the coast path - we didn't actually stop to visit but it looked worth a visit, and we'll go back someday.