Walking as part of your holiday in Dawlish Warren
For some of our visitors at Sandays walking is the sole purpose of the holiday and they are usually heading off around the Exe Estuary or onto the coastal path. For many of you however it is just a part of your holiday to do a bit of walking each day, or perhaps to dedicate a day to something a bit longer. There are many lovely possibilities for walks and we are mentioning just a few of them here.
The Warren
There is nothing closer to Sandays or more stunning than a walk around the Warren itself. The sandspit that is the Warren stretches for one and a half miles across the estuary and makes for a wonderful circular walk of around 3 miles. A surprising variety of terrain and wildlife, and the most fantastic views in all directions makes this walk a real pleasure. There is a bird hide and also a Nature Reserve Centre (check opening times).
Sandays to Dawlish
Walk along the promenade past Red Rock and carry on! Apart from certain times of high tide it is possible to walk all the way into Dawlish, at a brisk pace this takes around half an hour. There is an alternative route by taking the coastal path out of the outer car park, past the back garden of the Langstone Hotel. Or it is possible to do a combination of the two routes and do a shorter circular walk rather than going all the way into Dawlish. Of course as with many walks in this area there is an option to walk in one direction, enjoy some refreshments and catch the train back.
Sandays to Cockwood
This is the start of the Exe Trail. Set off along Warren Road and you will soon see a footpath / cycle track to your left. This is a very pleasant walk passing fields and streams and only rejoining the road as you get into Cockwood where there just happens to be two lovely pubs. There is also one of the most scenic harbours ever to be found and an art & craft studio/shop. If feeling energetic you could carry on from here to explore Starcross and again there is the potential to catch a train back.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is a wonderful and very atmospheric place and there are many well documented short walks available with refreshment stops. There are opportunities for guided walks and talks about the moor throughout the main season, see http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/
Sandays to Bovey Tracey is a drive of just over half an hour and is a good access point to Dartmoor. There are also various events in the towns around the moor including a food festival in Moretenhampstead in March, a Contemporary Craft Fair in Bovey Tracey in June, the famous Widecombe Fair in September, and the Tavistock goose fair in October.
Three longer trails also take in the moor: Two Moors Coast to Coast (137 miles); West Devon Way (37 miles) and the Templar Way ( 18 miles). This latter runs between Haytor on the moor and Teignmouth on the coast.
The South West Coast Path
In all this coastal path covers 115 miles in South Devon alone, coinciding along the way with parts of the Templar Way and the Exe Estuary trail. Parts of the route can be very strenuous and most people do small sections at a time. Many of the documented leisure walks for the area are where a section of the coastal path has been used as part of the creation of a circular walk. These are usually designed to take in some of the loveliest views and can be no longer than 3 to 4 miles. We have quite a selection of maps & walk books at Sandays and may be able to help you sort out a route. The South West Coast path itself is well waymarked. The South West Coast Path Association is organising a series of sponsored walks along the whole length of the path during Spring 2013, to celebrate its 40th anniversary and raise funds for the ongoing maintenance and improvements. Find out more at www.GreatSouthWestWalk.co.uk
Town Trails
Devon welcomes visitors in all sorts of ways and one of them is to provide a lot of information and suggestions about how best to enjoy the towns as well as the open spaces. You will find that most of the towns have maps and town trails and many hours can be enjoyed strolling with a purpose to spot all the places of interest. Whilst learning more about the town there might be time to explore a market, participate in local festivals or simply partake in some local food & drink.