Three Stunning Walks at Start Point

Kes the Collie loves this walk which is a short drive from Dittiscombe Holiday Cottages and takes in Start Point Lighthouse and the majestic views of Start Bay. The Lighthouse was built on the headland at Start Point, the southern most point of Devon, in 1836 to protect ships sailing around this coastline. The walk can be an easy 1.2 mile stroll, or extended to a medium or longer length walk. Whatever you do, you’ll enjoy the views!

As Start Point is the most southerly tip of Devon the scenery here looks out both East and West over stunning coast and countrysisde. You can see Beesands Village, the Day Mark Tower at the Dart Estuary, and on a clear day as far as the Isle of Portland in Dorset! There’s lots of wildlife to spot too including Kittiwakes, Seals and Birds of Prey.

The easy walk is from Start Point Car Park with a steady descent to the Lighthouse, so it’s suitable for less able walkers, wheelchair users and families. Park at Start Point Car Park and take the metalled drive to the Lighthouse.

You can extend the walk by taking the South West Coast Path Eastwards to see the ruins of Hallsands village, and read up on the fateful night of the storm from the informative storyboards above the old cottages.

An even longer walk would be to stride over the headland and pick up the Path again heading Westwards this time towards Lannacombe and East Prawle. The path on this route is narrow in places with some big drops, so a head for heights is helpful, but it’s worth the effort to perhaps see the grey seals basking on the small islands near Mattiscombe Sands.

The car park at Start Point is open all year but there is a charge for parking in the Summer season with a portaloo on site. The Lighthouse offers tours but check their website before your visit for opening times and restrictions. If you’ve worked up an appetite after your walk head for Beesands and the Cricket Inn where you’ll find a welcome for dogs and an excellent fish and meat menu, plus local ales and ciders.