Inspiration

Coast and country: some of the best pub walks in Devon

Guest Expert

5 min read

With its golden beaches, wild moors, and rolling countryside, Devon offers some of the most spectacular walking routes in England. And what better way to round off a hike than with a pint of local ale in a cosy pub? Here are some of the best pub walks in Devon, where the promise of good food and a warm welcome makes every step worth it.

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The Devil’s Cauldron to The Castle Inn

Start with a breathtaking walk, end with a well-earned pint. The Castle Inn is a welcoming 16th-century pub, leading through wooded hills and valleys to the pretty village of Lydford. The Devil’s Cauldron Trail, part of the National Trust Lydford Gorge, is a circular woodland walk that winds through deep ravines and past a thundering 30-metre waterfall. The trail’s highlight is the viewing platform at Devil’s Cauldron, a natural rock fissure filled with swirling, foaming water.

Return to The Castle Inn, warm yourself in front of a blazing log fire and tuck into excellent local and seasonal food paired with proper Devon ales and local ciders. Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, this area offers plenty of longer hikes for those wanting to extend their day and The Castle Inn has beautifully furnished rooms if you decide to make a weekend of it.

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Appledore to Westward Ho! And The Champ

The Champ is a proper local’s pub tucked in the heart of coastal Appledore, offering succour at the end of a blustery walk. Follow the South West Coast Path along the River Taw estuary on this easy 4.5-mile walk, with the option to hop on the bus back if your legs get fed up. Set off from Appledore to the sweeping sands of Westward Ho!, the only town in the UK with an exclamation mark in its name.

End your day at The Champ, where the ales flow freely. Too dinky for a kitchen, you’re welcome to bring your own takeaway. Handily, there’s an excellent fish and chip shop next door. There’s also lively local gig scene and open mic night every week. We recommend booking Cornwallis, an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage less than a five-minute walk from the pub.

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Tarka Trail, Torrington to Bideford

Inspired by Henry Williamson’s Tarka the Otter, the Tarka Trail is a 180-mile looping route through North Devon’s most picturesque landscapes. It’s easy to hop on and off its network of footpaths and bridleways, and one of the best sections is the six-mile stretch from Great Torrington to Bideford, which follows an old railway line alongside the River Torridge. You’ll cross historic bridges and pass breathtaking river views, including the ‘Pool of the Six Herons’, as featured in Williamson’s book. The entire trail includes information signs detailing the area’s rich history.

The walk ends at The Royal Hotel in Bideford, where you can refuel with a top-notch Sunday carvery or a locally sourced meal. Stay at The Artist Barn, midway between Great Torrington and Bideford, where you’ll also find the Hockings ice-cream van for the best local ices made with clotted cream. Not to be missed!

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English Riviera guided walks to Cary Arms & Spa

Anchored to the English Riviera, Cary Arms & Spa is a glorious seaside inn on Babbacombe Bay. Guided walks that familiarise you with the 22-miles of outstanding South Devon coastline run from the inn every day and are bookable through their website. Their most popular walk is themed around Agatha Christie, a local legend, or explore the UNESCO Global Geopark, with its dramatic coastal formations.

After working up an appetite, head to Cary Arms & Spa, where you’ll find a blend of Devon charm and New England style. It has a warm, welcoming bar, a menu brimming with locally sourced food, and a spa if you need a post walk pamper. There are luxurious rooms with sweeping sea views you can stay in, most with private terraces or balconies.

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Tiverton Canal to Redbrick Barn Loft

On a sunny day, a waterside stroll along the Grand Western Canal near Tiverton is pretty hard to beat. Built in 1814 to carry limestone from local quarries, this tranquil waterway is now a haven for wildlife and a favourite spot for walkers, cyclists, kayakers and paddleboarders alike. You can also hop aboard one of the last remaining horse-drawn barges in the UK.

Pitch up at Ducks Ditty Bar & Beer Garden, a floating canal bar, for a light lunch, ice cream, or a glass of something chilled. Note that it’s open in summer months only. Stay at nearby Redbrick Barn Loft, a roomy, stylish barn conversion in Devon’s rolling hills with panoramic views of the Exe valley.

Visit Redbrick Barn Loft >

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Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

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