13/09/26 - Portland Bill

Sheds, quarries a dolphin but mainly desolation

Portland Bill - the UK mainland's answer to Father Ted's Craggy Island, where they take the roads in for storage when the rain gets really bad.

Effectively, the tied island is one enormous quarry - providing the stone that built Britain, not least St Paul's Cathedral. The majority of buildings - apart from lighthouses - appear to be sheds. The South West corner is labelled "Lawnsheds".

We are walking the South tip - with a choice of a 4 or 7 miler. At the decision point, our Millennium generation kids declare they have had enough desolation for one day.

Pre-lighthouse marker

Windswept on Portland

Tombstoning on Portland

More quarrying

There is a cafe back at the lighthouse - excellent scones, where an impossible to photograph dolphin provides some excitement. For one of the party, the first one spotted in the wild.

Walk Details

Distance - 3.25 miles

Geocaches - 8

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

31/08/26 - Caer Caradoc

Automatic for the People

Walking comes into the modern age. No pubs or cafes on route today, but post walk refreshment can be found in a (for me) first of a kind. At the trail head - a shed - with automatic hot and cold drink and snacks running the gamut from twix to ice cream.

Ginger beers and brownies, post walk

But I am getting ahead of myself. First the walk - a lung-bursting ascent of Caer Caradoc, via three fingers rock. Descent over Little Caradoc and stop before climbing the Lawley. The return on fern infested paths along the flanks of the Caradocs.

We could watch the rain-storms sweeping in and were rewarded with a rainbow and surprisingly, by not getting a drenching ourselves.

A delight of a walk, where the photos only just begin to do it justice.

Views over Church Stretton

Climbing

Summiting

Mrs M at Three Fingers

Minnie and her daughter, Curly - the flatcoat retreivers

Turn back when you get to the Lawley

The profile of Caer Caradoc

Walk Details

Distance - 5.75 miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

28/08/26 - Pole Bank and Light Hollow Spout

Old Familiar, Variation

This walk over Long Mynd is my most walked "boots on" ramble. It's the one I loved from the first time walked. It's the one where Country Walking Magazine ran a feature on Geocaching. It's the one I used for training when my son had an interest in walking Snowdon. Cost me children's boots, rucksack, socks and a penknife. He didn't like rambling.

We are staying in the wilds of Shropshire on our latest dog sit. A first, as it is 3 dogs. Never have more dogs than you have hands. Or children. It looks close to Church Stretton on the map but with the roads not taking the most direct route, it's a 40 mile round trip.

I found a new route on Komoot. We park in our (not so) secret free car park in Cunnery Road but instead of heading to Little Stretton and Round Hill, we head up Townbrook Valley. This will shave a couple of miles off and test out our dog handling skills.

All the views from the highest point, Pole Bank, and the slightly more dramatic hands-on-rock descent of Light Hollow Spout are present.

The top of Townbrook Valley

Old Boy Punch left snoozing - the two flat coats are up for it

The real wild ponies are in the far distance

Light Hollow Spout

Heading down Carding Mill Valley - for coffee and cake at the NT Cafe

Walk Details

Distance - 6.25 miles

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

Geocaches - 0

08/08/26 - King Alfred's Tower and the Stourhead Estate

Great Estate

Our host has left a series of George (the dog we are sitting) favourite walks. King Alfred's Tower recommended for the shade provided by Penselwood, an ancient forest.

Early and out for free National Trust Parking. How lovely! Usually the most expensive in the land.

It's forest rides, ancient earthworks and hillforts until we reach Stourhead - a country estate, for which we were wholly unprepared. The footpaths go around lakes, past follys and right to the front door of the country estate. A national trust kiosk baking fresh pasties and you know you have lucked out.

Stourhead is a celebrated 18th-century landscape estate in Wiltshire, created by the Hoare family around a picturesque lake, with temples, grottos and woodland walks designed to evoke an idealised classical landscape. One of its most striking features is King Alfred’s Tower, a 160-foot (49m) folly built in 1772 by Henry Hoare II to commemorate Alfred the Great’s victory over the Vikings in 878.

Here are some photos;

Forest Rides

The Bristol Cross - Originally in Bristol and relocated in 1762

Entering the Stourton Estate

Where we can ring the front door bell.

George and the Obelisk

The source of the Stour - Six Wells Valley and St Peter's Pump

King Alfred's Tower

Walk Details

Distance - 5.5 miles

Geocaches - 6

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

07/08/26 - Digby's Tap, Sherborne

The Host Knows

Our latest dog-sit brings us to Cucklington. It's quite possible over the three-day weekend that we may be able to do a walk in three different counties.

We start in Dorset. During the introductions and our host listens to my planned walks at Castle Cary and Bruton. I can tell he is unimpressed and ask him where we should go. Shaftesbury is mentioned, but we have recreated bread advents. Then he says "Sherborne". We've never been. Plans are changed.

We can tell on the drive in to the Long Stay Car Park that this is our sort of place. History seems to be dripping off the streets. As you could expect from a town with two castles, the architecture is both ancient and impressive. An Adventure Lab Cache shows us some of the history;

Sherborne is a town with a remarkably long history, its origins stretching back to Roman times and the foundation of a Saxon cathedral in AD 705, which later became Sherborne Abbey. Its two castles tell a later story: the medieval Old Castle was built in the 12th century, while Sir Walter Raleigh acquired it in 1592 before abandoning it for the grander New Castle, completed in 1594. Centuries later, another famous name arrived in the form of Alan Turing, who attended Sherborne School from 1926 to 1931, long before his pioneering work in computing and codebreaking made him one of the 20th century's most important scientists.

Our walk is hastily compiled from Komoot and as usual, is wonderful. Green lanes out into the countryside to Oborne. The brown signs point us to an historic church just off the footpath. St Cuthberts arguably the smallest church in the land. But like "Oldest Pub", the rules are contested. In this instance, the remains can be classed as chancel to previously larger building.

Green Lanes

Single Roomer

Into Sherborne Park - a deer park, where all the deer have been taken in for the summer. This leads back to town, via the new castle. Sights are seen. Photos are taken.

Sherborne Country Park

Sherborne (new) Castle

Sherborne Abbey

There is one Good Beer Guide recommendation in town. Digby's Tap. I have to say, I was expecting a micropub, or a taproom on the side of a brewery. I couldn't be more wrong. The oldest parts of the building date from the C16th. Digby's Hotel was next door and this private residence was purchased in 1870. It outlives the hotel.

Thirsty Post Walkers

Three small rooms inside, under a low ceiling. It appears to be just as renowned for its food as its beer - which leads to a rather unpleasant pubby experience. An 11am opener, we were there before midday. Every single table has a reserved sign on it - ranging in times from midday to 13:30. This means the drinker has the choice of squatting or hogging the bar. Some do both. Some move tables as one becomes available with a later booking time. Increasing numbers of punters come in, going through the same rigmarole.

It means the small interior is in a state of perpetual motion. Our dog gets tripped over.

We can't wait to get out of there, to be honest.

My campaign for comfy seats in pubs gets a subchapter. 

Ban table reservations.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 miles

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

Geocaches - 5

29/06/26 - The Ferry Inn, Salcombe

Save Up for Portlemouth Down

This is another of our "must walks" in The South Hams.

Salcombe Town lies on one side of the Kingsbridge Estuary. It's all winding streets, artisan gin and equally artisan ice cream outlets, with plenty of other shops competing for your holiday dollar.

A £3 ferry ride is all it takes to reach the opposite shore, where golden sandy beaches and some of South Devon's finest coastal walking await. We studied the ferry over coffee. The largest combined fare for the 3 minute journey. £36. No wonder it was the same chap piloting it as last year. Pound per hour, he is the richest man in Devon. A title the landlord of the Ferry Inn, which we will come to later, is desperate to steal.

This short but spectacular route passes the idyllic Mill Bay and Sunny Cove before opening out onto dramatic clifftop paths leading to Gara Rock and Portlemouth Down. From there, the walk loops back inland along a wonderfully atmospheric sunken holloway, providing a fitting finale to a memorable circuit.

A fine way to start/end a walk

The coves on the east side of Kingsbridge Estuary

At the sea, heading towards Gara Rock on Portlemouth Downs

A shady holloway for the return

Devon CAMRA must have been reading my blog. There is always one pub in Salcombe in the Good Beer Guide and after last year's walk, I pronounced the pint at the Kings Arms, their recommendation, the worst of the entire week. They have been stripped of their entry and in 2026, this belongs to the Ferry Inn.

Whatever happens, it will be the winner of most spectacular entrance to a Good Beer Guide pub.

Mrs M (and Ziggy) looking forward to the Ferry Inn

Unobstructed view from ferry

Side On

And possibly winner of best view from a beer garden.

Palmers 200, looking over to where we walked

Of course, there is a catch. This 1749 boozer is a Palmers house. A phrase that normally induces an ache in the wallet. Add that to a tourist pub, with a view, in a place where the kids are called Ophelia and Tarquin and expect the worst.

Two pints - £15.30. 

No Crisps.

Walk Details

Distance - 7.5 miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

28/06/26 - The Albert Inn, Totnes

The South Hams Way

Totnes throws off quirky Glastonbury vibes. Interesting people, independent shops and three Good Beer Guide Pubs. Just the one open for business at midday on a Sunday - but they do Sunday Lunch. A suitable enough temptation to drag Mrs M from her desired coastal walks.

It was during our last visit that I discovered the South Hams Way. A newly launched Long Distance Path tracing the perimeter of the area for 100 miles. A section from Totnes along the River Dart to Ashprington provided the opportunity to complete an inland section.

Another on the list?

The walking is easy... The footpath is surprisingly distant from the river - possibly due to its tidal status and the climb into Ashprington very steep. But it's a pretty little village, complete with a functioning pub - The Durant Arms.

As far as you can sail up the Dart to Totnes

The Dart broadening out near Ashprington

Devon Views

After lane walking from Ashprington, views over Totnes

Into town - where the only outlet selling mystical stuff needs to be in liquid format. 

The Bay Horse Inn - a 1pm opener. On a weekend.  Strange hours.

Copperhead Ales Taproom - must be religious. They don't open on a Sunday at all.

This leaves the Albert Inn. A Taproom for the Bridgetown Brewery. 

Einstein a-go-go

There has been a weekend long beer festival running. I know this, as my first two choices marked on the chalk board have sold out. This left a mild or a Pale Ale (Accolade) from the brewery to try.

A good atmosphere in the pub, as veterans from the previous two days festivities finished their walk of shame for more of what didn't kill them to make them stronger. The barman announced his surprise to see each and every one of them.

Walk Details

Distance - 6.25 miles

Geocaches - 4

Walk Inspiration - Komoot

27/06/26 - Bolt Head

The gentlemen morning drinker is better served at 'Spoons

Another perfect walk from Komoot. Mrs M goes as far as to say it is her "walk of the year". Interesting, as a variation of the route won a similar accolade back in the dark covid days of 2020.

Today, we battle the "lanes" of the South Hams to start at East Soar National Trust Car Park. Not the official South West Coast Path (we follow this on the way back, underneath our current position) but fine views in all directions.

Looking up the estuary to Salcombe

Beautiful woodland walking through Overbecks brings us to a decision point. We know the beach at South Sands is not "dog-friendly". We also know that it is our only potential refreshment stop - having ignored the honesty tea and coffee facilities at Soar Farm. We decide a view of the Salcombe Castle ruins is worth the effort. And what an inspired decision that was.

At the first A-board with the word "bar", we head down a steep slope to what turns out to be the South Sands Hotel. A stunning terrace, overlooking the beach. Other patrons? Drinking champagne out of the required chalice. Fear not, their kids have Aston Villa tops on, so it ain't that posh.

Mrs M sends me off to order a flat white. I ask if she is sure, as I am going for a cool, refreshing beer. As is the wont of all women, she says that she will just have some of mine. It may be 9:45 am, but we have been up hours and time works differently when you are on holiday. Alas, their licence only covers them for residents until 10:30 am. Villa parents look smug with their pinkies out, as I contemplate googling the nearest 'spoons.

All is not lost. The coffees were delicious and no more than Starbucks, as Rockerfella Mrs M points out to me. 

And what a view - the castle, a fort and a sea tractor that we both agree will never make it across the estuary.

Transpires the tractor is just a jetty and passengers disembark to a proper boat

Refreshed, we tear ourselves away for what is possibly the best walking of all of the SWCP.  The climb to Bolt's Head is proper Lord of the Rings territory. The sea views can be taken for granted but the gnarly rock formations are something a little different.

Mrs M and Ziggy

A seaward facing retaining wall for safety

Another route added to the "South Hams Must Be Walked" list. If we come next year, no planning will be required.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 miles

Geocaches - 2

Walk Inspiration

26/06/26 - Pig's Nose, East Prawle

The Annual Return to a Top 5 Pub

We rarely notice the moment a one-off outing becomes an annual pilgrimage. This is our third time completing a variation of this walk. Having honed our technique, this is the second time we have had an identical two-centre lunch.

Yet the roads to East Prawle are no easier. I have now taken to turning the radio down so I can better see the high hedges, the grass growing down the centre of the road and the local lunatics who take national speed limit as an invitation to career around blind bends. I am not sure how many years I have left in me for this tradition.

After two days of country-wide record breaking June heat, a storm broke in the South Hams last night. Today's walk starts in 19 degree temperature with a sea fret offering air condition like conditions. Just perfect.

Officially the coolest two people in the land

This walk was found on Komoot - the slight variation - a permissive path that took us down to the cove that the pub was named after. From then, the coast past Gammon Head, to the Coastguard's Station at Prawle Point and the undercliff around Langerstone Point to Horseley Cove. All varieties of walking - from hands-on rock scrambling to pleasant meadow fields encountered.

The permissive path to Pig's Nose

Water break for Ziggy at Gammon Head

To Prawle Point Coastguard Station

 A swim (for Ziggy) at Horseley Cove before the stiff climb back for the annual refreshments.

First, crab sandwiches at The Piglet Cafe (monopolies commission have been informed). They are expensive, but I challenge you to find a finer crab sandwich in the country. Possible, if you find one that doesn't come with a side of salted Doritos. B-Tec crisps, according to Mrs M.

This is enjoyed whilst we await the scrape of the midday bolt at the pub. A regular in "best of" guides in Devon from everything from the food, to the beer (you must have the gravity fed Eddystone), to the live music. And not forgetting the superb walking.

2026 Photo

An investigation to find something new to tell you. Previously, I commented that it might be the only pub loos with shower facilities. I noticed we can add laundrette services to that list. And the trap, at least in the men's, is called the "poop deck".

Their website details their musical heritage. There cannot be many remote pubs that can have such a roster of previous performers;

The pub’s music hall has hosted an extraordinary range of artists over the years, from Atomic Kitten, Stanton Warriors, Lee Scratch Perry, Damon Albarn, The Animals and The Boomtown Rats, The Blockheads to name a few.

Today, there were many reasons to be cheerful.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration