Chilterns Weekend Walkers

What’s it like on a CWW weekend away? Tim Axten and Anne Kimber reflect on a trip to South Devon in September 2023.

On one of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures topping 30 degrees, we arrived in Shaldon, South Devon. Our leader, Sue Atkins, devised an excellent itinerary for the long weekend, starting with a walk around local villages with views over the Teign estuary and towards Dartmoor.

The highlight of the trip was the Dart Valley Trail, an 18-mile walk over two days, achieved thanks to much planning by Sue and shuffling of cars. 

On our first full day we started from Kingswear, just over the river from Dartmouth. We were greeted by the sight of the steam train that runs out of the town and along the estuary.

We followed the River Dart before climbing high into some cool woods. In the shade of some lovely old trees, our lunch stop overlooked the beautiful river just above Greenway House, once the home of Agatha Christie. There is nothing quite like the peace and tranquility of a river and countryside. 

From here, we dropped down to cross the river to Dittisham, signalling to the ferryman by ringing a bell. As it was rather busy, we waited for the ferryman to have a break and sampled some of the delicious local ice cream at a little shop called Tarts on the Dart. 

We continued our walk on the west side of the river and came down into Dartmouth. Though a little too late for afternoon teas, we sampled some local hostelries overlooking the river before catching another ferry back to Kingswear.

The next day, we walked from Totnes to Dittisham – a linear walk through the Sharpham Estate to Ashprington and the villages of Tuckenhay and Cornworthy. From Dittisham, some of us crossed back over the river to visit Greenway House. The rest enjoyed a welcome drink in a shady spot before driving back to our start point in Totnes and then back to base.

That evening we gathered together to share pizzas and wine at Sue’s place and joined in the Last Night of the Proms with a bit of singing and dancing of our own. In the distance we could hear the shanty festival in Teignmouth, adding to the nostalgic feel. That weekend there was also a tall ship in the harbour complete with odd fellows in pirate attire singing shanties.

Our final day brought a change in tempo with an eight-mile walk along the South West Coast Path. We caught a bus to Babbacombe and followed the coast path back to Shaldon.

The first part of the walk was wooded and hilly with some welcome shade.  After a coffee stop at Maidencombe Beach one member stayed behind to enjoy a swim in the bay while the rest continued on the very hilly coastal route back to Shaldon via Labrador Bay Nature Reserve.

The finale was a stop at The Ness, overlooking the sea and the River Teign, for a farewell drink and a toast to a wonderful and memorable weekend away for the group.  

Ticking off the Dart Valley Trail was a pleasing accomplishment and we were all grateful to Sue for providing us with an excellent weekend away.   

• Photos by Sue Atkins, Anne Kimber, Peter Tarleton (Geograph) and Wayland Smith (Geograph)