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Kingswear to Coleton Fishacre Walk

5.3 miles (8.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk takes you to the beautiful Coleton Fishacre gardens from Kingswear. You can reach the gardens by following the South West Coast Path south east from Kingswear.
There's 24 acres of stunning coastal gardens to explore on a series of well laid out stone footpaths. It is full of rare and exotic plants due to the mild climate in this area of Devon. There are terraces with sculptures and pretty pools, herbaceous borders, streams and woodland. The gardens run from the 1920s Art Deco house to the coast. There is a gate at the end of the garden which allows you to pick up the South West Coast Path. You can head along the coast to Inner Froward Point before picking up a footpath through the countryside to return you to the gardens.

Postcode

TQ6 0EQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

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Coleton Fishacre OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Coleton Fishacre Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's an on site cafe selling a good range of meals, snacks, cakes and drinks.

Dog Walking

The gardens are a nice place to bring your dog for a walk. Please keep them on short leads. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

One good option is to follow the coast path north to Brixham where you can visit Berry Head Country Park. The park is located on a lovely headland with tremendous sea views from its elevated position.
If you cross to Dartmouth you could continue along the coast to Slapton Ley. The National Nature Reserve is one of the highlights of the area with its stunning coastal lagoon and abundance of wildlife.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Devon Walks page.

Photos

Tree, Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 1189836

Looking towards the house at Coleton Fishacre from beside a large tree, which I think is the tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera. The house, a fine example of Arts and Crafts architecture, was built in the 1920s as a retreat for the D'Oyly Carte family, who were famous for their connection to Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The interior reflects the elegance and style of the era, while the gardens reflect a vision of harmony between nature and design.

Gazebo, Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 1189729

Gazebo and sea view. A grassy, almost level path leads from the house to this viewpoint. The flora here is incredibly diverse, benefiting from the area's mild climate and the influence of the Gulf Stream. You can find lush, exotic plants such as palms, tree ferns, and bamboo, alongside native species like foxgloves, wild garlic, and bluebells in the woodland areas. The gardens also showcase seasonal plants, including magnolias, camellias, and hydrangeas, making it a delight to visit at any time of year.

Gardens at Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 1352564

Gardens. From the main path down the valley, looking up the meadow on the northeast slopes. The fauna in and around Coleton Fishacre is equally diverse. You might spot grey seals basking on the rocky shore below the gardens, as well as seabirds such as fulmars, cormorants, and gulls circling the cliffs. The woodlands and gardens are home to a variety of small mammals, including foxes, badgers, and rabbits. Birdlife in the gardens is rich, with robins, wrens, and blackbirds commonly seen flitting among the trees and shrubs. Butterflies and bees are also abundant, drawn to the flowering plants throughout the seasons.

Irises at Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 817263

Irises. On a raised bed at the top of the gardens. Behind are two of the walls of the Rill Garden.

The Rill Garden, Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 233250

The Rill Garden. This triangular walled garden close to the house is one of the highlights of these beautiful National Trust gardens.

Garden terrace at Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 811124

Garden terrace. One of the terraces in front of the house, with a colourful rhododendron in the background.

Above Coleton Fishacre - geograph.org.uk - 1390954

Countryside view above Coleton Fishacre. Horses graze by the permissive path that provides access between Higher Brownstone car park and the coast path near the house, without entering the NT property.

Shelter, Coleton Fishacre Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1817193

Shelter and footpath view.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Coleton Fishacre.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)