Battisborough Cross - River Erme - St Anchorite's Rock - Battisborough Cross

Dave Pawley

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This walk takes you along a stretch of the South West Coastal Path west from the mouth of the River Erme, to 2km west of St Anchorite's Rock. It is about 6km of coastal walk plus road walking at the start and end. The mouth of the Erme section is within the privately owned Flete Estate and this can make parking difficult, except when their privately owned car park is open at Mothecombe ( charge £5 in 2019). By parking on the roadside at Battisborough Cross this problem is overcome and it also splits the road-walking to the start and the end of the walk. Once the mouth of the Erme is reached, about 2 km of road walking south-east of Battisborough Cross, you have a fine coastal walk with lovely views as well as the normal ups and downs associated with walking on this section of the coast. The mouth of the Erme is very wide at the start, at low tide a wide expanse of sand, with the Erme flowing out to sea, usually shallow enough to ford, but only around low water springs! No problem on this walk though, it is all to the west of the Erme. The south west coast path you follow for part of the route is very well signed with acorns and direction arrows and the many gates (at least a dozen) are modern and varied. The gates are a great improvement on the stiles that were in place a few years ago. The coastal path section takes you onto and above secluded coves, rocky headlands and grassy clifftop as well as giving you the exercise of plenty of steep ups and downs. When you leave the coast path there is an easy and relatively level walk of just under 2 km, back along a quiet country road to Battisborough Cross.

England - South West England - Devon - Coast

Features

Great Views, River, Sea

8/27/2019 - Dave Pawley

Thanks for the reminder Anthony, I remember the improved gates replacing the stiles being discussed at a recent SWCPA volunteers meeting for the South Devon area I attended. The increase in car parking charge you noted was also touched on. We'll arrange for the walks detail to be modified accordingly.

8/21/2019 - Antony TOMBLIN

The stiles have all been replaced with gates. Car park at Mothecombe Beach was £5 when we walked past. (August)

4/28/2013 - C Lamper

A great walk however if you’re planning to take the dog there are a few stiles which are difficult to get through and one immediately after St Anchorite's Rock which you have to lift him over as there is no other way (not good when your dog is 8st)