Bantham to Thurlestone

Obstacles and steep gradients: 6 stiles, 1 fairly steep climb and 1 steep descent.

Accessibility: The stretch of the route from Bantham to Leasfoot Sand is suitable for ambulate disabled users as a linear or return route, with parking at either end. There are several benches along this section of the coast path.

Refreshment stops: Village Inn at Thurlestone 01548 563525; Sloop Inn at Bantham 560489. Bantham Stores includes a small coffee shop, 100 meters up the hill through the village from the Sloop Inn.

Toilets: Public toilets at Bantham beach car park and across the road near Leasfoot Sands, past the golf clubhouse

Parking: Private car park at Bantham beach. Cost in 2006 is £5.00.

Other facilities: Phone boxes just off the route in both Thurlestone and Bantham. Thurlestone also has a Post Office and village stores. Bantham has a small village stores.

OS map: Explorer OL20

Grid ref: SX665437

Directions

Map

Follow the main track through the car park. This leads past the lifeguards' hut and through a kissing gate onto the coast path signed for Thurlestone.

Follow the waymarked path alongside the golf course and past Broad Sands and Yarmouth Sands.

When you reach Leasfoot Sands, turn left by the beach safety sign. Go past the golf clubhouse, and turn left onto the road up to Thurlestone.

At the war memorial. leave the road and continue straight on along a track signed 'Public Footpath Bantham 3/4 mile'. (Alternatively, you can take a short detour along the road to the right here for local facilities and refreshments).

Cross over the stone stile beyond the church and follow the waymarked path across the fields and steeply down to the valley bottom.

At a stile with a large granite block base, cut diagonally across the field to the left, then over another stile onto the path into Bantham.

Turn left at the Sloop Inn, and follow the road back to the car park.