Start Point Lighthouse, Start Point, Kingsbridge
Start Point Lighthouse stands high on the rugged clifftop overlooking the sea near Kingsbridge, just as it has since it was built in 1836 as a beacon to the ships that sailed off this part of the South Devon coast. Before that, the rocks down below, along with strong tidal winds made this area the scene of many a shipwreck.
From the car park at Start Point it’s a 20 minute walk on the South West Coast Path to the lighthouse at the end of the headland. On certain days between April and October they have open days there and you can take a guided tour. Bear in mind that there are a lot of stairs so infants and babies can’t be carried and children must be capable of going up and down themselves (there’s a minimum height requirement of 1.1m).
Seasoned walkers might want to do a longer stretch of the coast path; a good one is to walk to Prawle Point and onto East Prawle where you can take sustenance in the Pigs Nose Inn before returning to Start Point. What’s also nice is to take a picnic and find a spot to eat your sandwiches while you spot ships; take your binoculars because seals and dolphins are often seen in the waters around the promontory, as well as migrant birds. Look up and you might well see buzzards soaring overhead. Small joys that are gratis courtesy of Mother Nature and will make you smile.
T: 01803 771802
All information correct at the time of writing