Cockington Village (situated close to Torquay and Paignton) has been on our list of places to visit for a while…then lockdown happened! So as soon as we had the chance, we took a trip to this delightful little village and had a walk around to see what it had to offer. In the village itself, there is a pay and display car park, however it only takes coins, so we decided to carry on past the car park (on our right) and park a short distance down the road (Cockington Lane) where there were clearly marked (free) parking bays. From here we walked back towards the village.

As we walked back past the pay and display car park on our left, we noticed a path leading to Cockington Country Park. We decided to walk here first and have a look around. The first thing I noticed was a water mill nestled in the corner to our left which had a beautiful thatched roof attached to it. For anyone who doesn’t know of Cockington, it’s a quaint little village full of chocolate box cottages, it feels like you’re going back in time when you walk around this picturesque, charming little place.

The mill pond and the thatched mill house.

After having a look at the water wheel, we walked up some steps and sat at the top by the mill pond which had a few ducks and a moorhen nearby and a weeping willow shadowing overhead. After taking in the area and looking on a map to decide where to walk, we took the steps back down and turned right towards the Mill, which is now a little cafe selling refreshments (currently socially distanced!). Here was also the information centre and another thatched building, with gardens decorated with rose flower archways.

A rose archway adjoining a thatched cottage.

Gardens by the Tourist Information Centre.

We left the park through the main entrance, just ahead of the Tourist Information Centre. Across the road we spotted Rose Cottage, probably the most photographed building in Cockington. This iconic cottage is popular for its high tea in its tea gardens, it also stands out for the unusual sloping thatched roof! As we walked up the lane with the tea gardens to our left, I could see why it would be popular amongst visitors; the gardens were beautiful with ducks resting on the green lawn, a large pond at the top end and a little wooden bridge over the stream that passes through it. As we walked by, we both said we would have to come back and visit the tea gardens another day.

A short walk down this lane, with the stream to our left and beautiful cottage gardens to our right, we soon found a public footpath pointing us towards a wooded area that would lead to the seafront. Intrigued by the walk and what the beach was like at the end, we decided to take this route. From here we followed a clear gravelled path, with the stream now on our right. It eventually led us onto a boardwalk around a water meadow, with plenty of areas for dogs and children to play in the stream and climb on the fallen trees that form a bridge over the water to the grass bank.

The bridge we later take on our way back from the seafront.

The boardwalk that passes over the stream.

Eventually the path opens up again into a stretch of greenery before we left through a gate and crossed the road to walk down Cockington Lane towards the seafront. After just a few minutes walking we found ourselves spotting familiar sights of Torquay to our left and the sea right ahead of us. Crossing the road, we walked down the steps infront of us, which led us down to Livermead Beach.

We didn’t stop here long, as it was high tide, so there was no beach to actually walk on. It’ll be interesting to come back and see what the beach looks like when the tide is out. After a quick stop to identify the cliffs out to sea, (Berry Head was jutting out in the distance to our right) we then made our way back the way we came, but instead of walking the whole way back through the wooded park, we took the main bridge with the metal railings on our left, crossed the road and entered Cockington Country Park through the elegant entrance archway.

The Entrance to Cockington Country Park.

Once through the archway, there were several routes clearly marked with colour coded arrows and signposts, each showing the different ways to explore the park. We decided to take a route that led us around three lakes, where we were greeted by several ducks swimming by and damselflies darting about, zig-zagging above the water. There were several information points dotted around that gave a short description on what wildlife and flowers we may see. .

We followed the path around which then led us up to a green space with a large thatched building ahead of us. At first we wondered what this building would have been used for, as it stood out as rather unusual with a wooden grid on one side of it; as we made our way closer we spotted a sign informing us it was The Old Gamekeeper’s Cottage, which then made more sense as the grid could have served as a lookout point. From here we passed the Gamekeeper’s cottage and entered Manscombe Wood on our right, walking a clear wide path along the stretch of the woodland. This wood was popular with cyclists and dog walkers, as we walked along listening to the birds chattering away and the stream trickling past us on the right.

Once we reached the end of this path, we turned right up a hill, through a gate and across the road to enter another gate. This path took us around the outskirts of Cockington Court. We followed it through another gate then down a path to our right, which had a signpost informing us it was also a bridle path and cycle route. Once at the fork in the path we took the one to our right which lead us round the Arboretum. At this point it started to lightly rain, so we were grateful for a bit of tree coverage to shelter us. I could imagine this path is popular with children and dogs, as there were plenty of tree roots to hide and climb over, and different paths to explore that would all eventually meet up again. We eventually arrived at Cockington Court. From here we turned right and walked down to explore the beautiful Rose Garden.

The sundial in the centre of the Rose Garden.

One of the sweet smelling roses in Cockington Court.

As we entered the rose garden, the sweet smell of the flowers was prominent, and we were taken aback at how pretty is was, we really weren’t expecting it! There were plenty of benches here, so we decided to sit for a while and have a quick break and make the most of the surroundings. Afterwards we had a look at the map of Cockington Court (which is also very dog friendly), and headed towards the Sea Change Craft Studios. Most things were just closing for the day, but from what we saw, this area had a range of artists and craft makers in little studios, making high quality art and crafts.

The grounds are also home to a church, stables and Cockington Manor House. The Manor House hosts a tea room and the visitors welcome point. Sadly we arrived here after closing time so we couldn’t explore inside. Once we had finished looking around Cockington Court, we walked back past the Sea Change Studios and took a path leaving the grounds. Here we turned right down a leafy lane which eventually took us back onto Cockington Lane, where once we turned left, we soon found where we had parked our car. Cockington is definitely worth a visit, there seems to be something for everyone. It’s perfect for a lazy Sunday stroll, exploring the village, but its definitely perfect for families and dog walkers. Everywhere we visited today was dog and child friendly (as well as wheelchair and pushchair accesible), from the parks, public footpaths, woodland, rivers to paddle in and the beach, as well as Cockington Court itself. Torquay is just a short walk away, so Cockington is a great place to explore if you’re in the area for the day.

I love this walk for many reasons, one being that I hardly see anyone on it. From leaving the cycle trail to arriving at East Budleigh I didn’t see a single person on the walk; Perfect right now when social distancing is a priority! It also brings happy memories of walking around Hayes woods and Hayes Lane with a good friend of mine and our dogs. I also just love East Budleigh and all it has to offer in its little chocolate box village! I did end up up walking quite a few miles in the end, but that’s also due to doing a detour to Hayes Barton, but if you like a quiet walk with equal views of countryside and coast then this one is for you.

Views of East Devon villages and coastline from the footpath.

I started this walk at the Castle lane section of the Old Railway line between Exmouth and Budleigh. To get here you just turn right after the recycling centre along Salterton Road, if you’re coming from Exmouth towards Budleigh, or if you’re arriving from the opposite direction, then its the first turning on the left after the main Budleigh roundabout into Exmouth. There’s normally plenty of parking available on the roadside and the entrance to the Old Railway line is obvious to see from the road.

Once you spot the entrance to the railway line, you’ll see a map showing you where this trail leads, if you aren’t familiar with it then I definitely recommend walking along here, it’s a popular walk amongst cyclists, walkers and horse riders. It’s also worth looking back at old photos of the railway line and stations that used to be here before Dr Beeching closed them in the 60s. After you’ve had a look at the map, walk down the path infront of you and then turn right, where you’ll spot the bridge you were just on, which I’ll now be walking underneath.

This trail is always a peaceful walk, hearing the birds singing above and squirrels scurrying about, the light glistening through the blanket of trees onto the path. I also find it especially beautiful in Autumn, which I’m sure I’ll post about in a few months. When walking this path you can almost forget you’re walking alongside a fairly busy road. I carried on walking this path and soon saw a footpath to my left, this leads to Knowle and East Budleigh common. The local forest school is also situated in this woodland, it’s a lovely area to explore, especially the lane into Knowle with the stream flowing alongside you. I’m not going that way today though, instead I walk straight ahead, up a slope, until I reach the end of the trail.

As I exit the cycle trail, I then turn left up Bear Lane where I soon spot a figure of Winnie the Pooh to my left. Sadly this isn’t where he lives, but it is home to ‘Pooh Cottage’, a holiday park that I find aptly named due to the lane it is situated on. I carry on up this lane which boasts beautiful views of fields and the sea to my right, tall pine trees towering over me and a beautiful thatched cottage to my left, before I reach the end and then turn right down a dusty track.

Once I get to the bottom of this trail, there is a path going off to the left… don’t go this way. Instead, I carried on ahead where I pass a farm gate on my right and then another one round the corner to my left. These fields are home to dairy cows owned by Dalditch Farm. From here, I look back over to my right and catch a glimpse of the rooftops of Budleigh Salterton and the vibrant blue sea in the distance. I make my way up between the foxgloves decorating both sides of the track which takes me towards a path sheltered by woodland. As I carry on straight ahead, I spot a rope swing hanging from one of the trees on my right.

I continue on ahead until I reach two public footpath signs to my right, then take the path of the sign pointing to the left and follow it all the way, where it opens out onto Shortwood Common and eventually leads to a stile with a field on the other side. Once over the stile, I keep to the right as I walk along the outside of the field until I reach a metal gate with a public footpath sign directing me straight ahead.

I pass through the metal kissing gate ahead and take in the stunning views on offer along this track. From here I can see the beautiful rolling hills of the East Devon Countryside, with the sea on the horizon. Today was a fairly clear day so i was able to see the coast line, Peak Hill and Otterton Village. As I walked further up this path I could also make out East Budleigh village, which was where I was heading.

I can imagine the sun rising and setting would look stunning from this viewpoint, on a day like today I could make out the white cliffs of Beer and Branscombe. See if you can spot Bicton Obelisk from the top of this hill, it stands out to the left of East Budleigh.

I follow this track all the way round where I now have beautiful views to my left of farmland and a glimpse of East Budleigh down the hill. I eventually meet a stile where I then turned left up a country lane which leads to Hayes lane with an electricity substation right infront of me. From here I stopped to greet some friendly cows in a field and spotted a buzzard circling above, I then turned right down Hayes Lane. As I walked down this lane I could just make out All Saint’s church poking through the hedgerows ahead. From here I enter East Budleigh over a stream where I’m greeted with plenty of thatched buildings adding the character to this village. The first one I spot is Vicar’s Mead (photographed below) which is the old Vicarage. It was also a school for boys taught by the local Vicar. Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the boys educated here.

Plenty of thatched buildings adding character to East Budleigh.

I followed Hayes Lane to the end where I spot the Sir Walter Raleigh pub ahead. From here I turned left, up the hill and past the church to sit on a bench next to the statue of Sir Walter Raleigh before I headed home. If you don’t know East Budleigh well, then it is worth exploring this little village; It boasts so much character with its thatched cottages, Budleigh Brook running through it, plenty of flower boxes bursting with colour and the local roots of Sir Walter Raleigh born and raised in Hayes Barton just up the road.

Houses selling eggs and marmalade with All Saint’s church in the background.

I headed back home the way I came, but first I took a detour 15 minutes up the other end of Hayes Lane (past the electricity substation) to see Hayes Barton. It’s been a few years since I’ve walked this way and had a glimpse of the home where Sir Walter Raleigh and his family lived. It’s worth a walk up if you haven’t been before but bear in mind it will add time onto this walk (I ended up walking about 7.5 miles today). From here I then walked back via Hayes woods and rejoined the field with the stile.

Hayes Barton, birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh.

A glimpse of Hayes Barton in the background.

As I headed back to Castle lane the sun was getting lower, which then lights up the trees along the Old Railway line as I walked under the bridge, and back to my parking spot. The Old Railway is a lovely walk in its own right even if you don’t want to walk all the way to East Budleigh.

I took quite a few photos (as usual) of my surroundings on my walk today and also of the beautiful village, so I’ll add more photos to my instagram account which is linked on here if you don’t know it already. (Or you can click here)

Exploring Cockington Village

Castle Lane to East Budleigh Footpaths