Pushchair and Buggy Friendly Walks in Devon and Dorset
As a family we no longer need to think about walks suitable for pushchairs, but it is something I get asked about quite often. Last year my mum broke her ankle and was keen to get out and about so we hired a wheelchair. If you have relatives or friends in a wheel chair or with mobility issues, then new accessible walks are something you might be keen to discover. In fact even if you are just trying to avoid the muddy fields then this list may be helpful!
So here are my ideas for accessible pushchair and buggy friendly walks in Devon and Dorset. Please accept my caveat that although I have walked most of these routes myself, I’ve not actually tested them with a pushchair. Do let me know if they have become unsuitable for any reason or make some other suggestions for me to add. These places are also great for older siblings or friends who no longer need a pushchair. Safe spaces for children to run along and explore.
Langdon Hill Woods – Chideock, Dorset
Situated at the Western end of the Golden Cap Estate, Langdon Woods is a lovely circular woodland walk and also marks the start of a great short walk to Golden Cap itself – a fabulous cliff top view point. In winter or with little ones the hike up to Golden Cap may not be such a great idea. There are fields to cross and some step steps to reach the high point.
Instead take the push chair friendly circuit around Langdon Hill Woods. A lovely circular walk – a bit more than a 1 mile in total. Check out my guide to the walk here – just keep going round the woods instead of heading off up to Golden Cap. Also see here for the National Trust guide.Â
During the summer months if you are a member of the Countryside Mobility scheme, you can hire a National Trust tramper for this route which is a fantastic scheme. It is also a fabulous local spot for bluebells in the Spring.Â
Parking at the National Trust Car Park (free for members). Langdon Hill car park: grid ref: SY412930, nearest postcode DT6 6EP
Stonebarrow Hill –Â Charmouth, DorsetÂ
Stonebarrow Hill is part of the National Trust Golden Cap Estate high above Charmouth. As well as a number of criss crossing grassy footpaths all over this side of Golden Cap, there is also one long straight level gravel track. It stretches from the car park (National Trust pay and display) for approx 1 km (return the same way) making it a good walk with toddlers or a buggy.
If you are happy to go off road then there are marked trails (you can down load the orienteering route) and posts with pirate themed rubbing plaques which are great for little ones to find. There is usually a Cadburys Easter Egg trail. In the summer there is a small NT shop and seasonal toilets.
Add in an amazing view across to Golden Cap and this is a great walk. Parking at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth DT6 6RA
West Bay – Harbour Walk
There are a number of car park options in West Bay. A large long stay one on the way into West Bay is the cheapest and adds to the walk by about another 1/2 mile. Short stay options nearer the harbour. To make it even better there are plenty of tea, cake and chip options close to hand! For the serial browser there’s the lovely vintage and antiques centre called the Customs House.
Seaton and Lyme Regis
Both these towns also have great seafront esplanades perfect for pushchair walks.
Seaton seafront is 1 km from end to end with the option for older children to run on the beach alongside in full view. Walk to the end of the seafront to reach the Hideway Cafe for a refreshment break with a view.
At Lyme Regis you can walk all the way from the Cobb harbour wall end of the town until you see Charmouth! Head along the seafront and beaches and then carry on round to the new sea defence wall.
With lovely views of Golden Cap and the Jurassic Coast this is popular walk. When the tide is out it’s great for rock pooling here as well.
Lyme Regis to Uplyme – The Wessex Ridgeway
If you want to get away from the seafront crowds then there is a lovely walk that follows the route of the River Lim in Lyme Regis. Find the start of the walk at Coombe Street which near is the shopping street end of town (turn left just over the river).
Head all the way up Coombe Street until it crosses the river again and then take a fairly steep right along Mill Green. After this you are off the road and following the Wessex Ridgeway along the river to Uplyme. It’s a pretty walk about a mile each way.
The Byes Riverside Walk – Sidmouth
A popular walk and cycle path, this is a well used route from Sidmouth to Sidford along the river.
It’s a good flat path all the way with grassy areas, benches and a tumbling weir. People sometimes spot a kingfisher and other wildlife. There’s a play park and open areas at the Sidmouth end as well as the dog free Community Orchard.
The start of the Byes Riverside Park in Sidmouth is where Salcombe Road meet Milford Road with entrance to the parkland next to the Byes Toll House. The walk all the way to Sidford is approximately 1 mile.
If you start in Sidford there’s a small free car park by the Social Club hall ( EX10 9QX) or a pay and display behind Sidford Spar. Join the path near the Salty Monk.
Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve
A beautiful nature reserve in the heart of East Devon, Seaton Wetlands is a lovely place for a walk. Completely accessible with tarmac paths as well as boardwalks this has been designed with access in mind. Enjoy the peace and quiet and look for birds from the hides.
The East Devon Wetlands team also run events throughout the year to help keep youngsters entertained on the route round. Take a look at the write up already on my blog here. No dogs are allowed at the reserve.
Branscombe Village to Branscombe Beach
Reaching Branscombe is a bit of a challenge but once you are there it does not disappoint. A very pretty Devon village with two pubs, a National Trust site with tearoom as well as a play park.
Park considerately at or near the village hall (EX12 3DB). The playpark and a field are behind the hall. To reach the beach, looking left from the village hall you will see the road forks to the right with a small side road, Mill Lane, showing a dead end sign.
At the end of Mill Lane keep going straight ahead on the track past some farm buildings. This will lead you all the way to the seafront. Branscombe is a pebble beach with plenty of space and a popular cafe. It is also possible to park at the seafront but the car park is quite expensive.
Clyston Mill to Killerton – Near Exeter
Described as a flat surfaced path from beginning to end it is about 3 miles in each direction. This cycle path runs through lovely East Devon countryside with the wonderful Killerton National Trust to enjoy as well. You can also make use of the Red Lion pub in Broadclyst or use the village shop for refreshment breaks. There is a bus route (the No 1) if you can plan your walk to work in with that.
I have to admit I’ve not done this walk but I keep hearing about it.
Keep Enjoying the Outdoors
What ever your circumstances then I hope you will find some new ideas here for walks. It’s good to know that we don’t need to get the wellies out every time we go for a walk in the winter. Feel free to suggest other places that you know of that could be added to this list.
Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you will follow me for more ideas for walks and days out. I send out a newsletter every few months new blog posts so please sign up below to make sure you don’t miss any.
Clare
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
I love finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from my blog.
You’ve included some fab walks for people to get out and enjoy, I remember how hard it was sometimes to find a lovely nature walk that was also Buggy Friendly. I’ll certainly remember some of these for if I’m ever in the area, sometimes a nice simple walk like these can be lovely even if you’re not pushing a buggy. It’s great that you’ve created this list for those who can’t do some of the more adventurous walks in the area.
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids
We are lucky to have a range of options here. There are a lot of people who don’t want a five mile hike up a hill and nor do we quite often!
Some great walks here, lovely post. We’re past the buggy stage too but presumably these would work with bikes as well as wheel chairs etc? Even on walks like these we’d wear Wellies in winter, in case of puddles to splash in!!! #CountryKids
Yes my girls want places for push bikes and roller blades these days and are usually still in their wellies as well!
OOhhh we always love walking and I think we have walked the sights around us already, Sadly we dont have a car at the moment to we keep visit this sites. They look cool though!
#countrykids
I’ll pin this for reference in case we head in that direction at some point this year #CountryKids
Which reminds me I’ve done a proper Pinterest pin and not added it to the blog! Make sure you come and say hello if yo are coming this way 🙂
It is good to know places that mean that everyone can enjoy a walk.
We don’t need pushchairs anymore but how handy this will be for lots of others x
Also good for pushbikes, scooters and roller blades!
This is great as we are planning a trip down to Dorset in the summer. Although Kipper will be two by then I get the impression he will still be very much in his buggy. We will be trying these out thank you .#Countrykids
It helps to plan a walk knowing when they are tired you’ve got the buggy to hand still.
Nice and helpful information! #CountryKids
Very interesting! The walks look really good and thanks for the useful information on accessibility.
Great suggestions. We’re always on the look out for places to take the dog and of course will be with buggy as of June 🙂
Wow! These are some exceptional suggestions for hiking, Clare! I am adding Devon to my bucket list. How many days would be enough to stay there to see all the highlights?
The South West of England has a huge range of walks and amazing scenery from coast walks to wild moors. Most people who live here have barely scratched the surface!