Stoke Fleming to Strete – South West Coast Path walks
May 7, 2020
We’ve often driven from Stoke Fleming to Strete and have seen the South West Coast Path walking signs along the road. Â So our expectations were that we would be on the road for a lot of this section. Â Not great for a coast walk. Â We were very mistaken; the Stoke Fleming to Strete section of the coast path is along woodland paths, quiet lanes and through fields full of new baby lambs; and IOHO, the most amazing beach we’ve visited so far – Blackpool Sands.
The Kissing Gate - Stoke Fleming
We started our walk in the village of Stoke Fleming at this kissing gate. Â We’ve been through hundreds of kissing gates throughout the UK, but this is the first one that was signposted. Â I’d love to say the origin is a romantic one (although an excuse to kiss at every gate can never be a bad thing), the reason is simply because of the engineering of the gate touching on each side of the enclosure (hence kissing). Â How dull, this is the far more romantic ‘Jackie’ version:
“Once upon a time a prince was walking through a field full of cattle.  Upon passing through a strange gate with no latch, but instead a small ‘u’ shaped enclosure where the gate touched either side, he looked behind him and saw a fair maiden carrying flowers and a basket of kittens.  As she had no hand free to open the gate, the Prince offered to open the gate for her, but only if she would bestow a kiss upon his cheek.  The fair maiden obliged, they fell in love, got married and lived happily ever after.  The end”
Blackpool Sands
A gorgeous beach, and as it was a brisk March day and not conducive to sunbathing, it was virtually empty; perfect for walking and sitting quietly enjoying the sound of the waves. Â To add to the perfect relaxing spot, as we sat with our sandwiches we spotted a seal bobbing in the surf right in front of us.
To Strete
The walk from Blackpool sands to Strete is an up and down one, past thatched cottages and across fields full of sheep and baby lambs.
E9 Long Distance Walking Route
I know…what now? Â We discovered there is a long distance walking route that goes from Portugal to Estonia, taking in a section of the UK from Plymouth to Dover. Â The complete route is 5,500km and no, we will not be attempting that. Â However, it does pass through Devon and we took part of it back from Strete to our starting point in Stoke Fleming; making this a stunning circular walk of 10km.
Don't miss on the Stoke Fleming to Strete Coast Path
- The kissing gate in Stoke Fleming – selfie heaven.
- Taking time to chill out on Blackpool Sands. Â We walked to the right side of the beach for a quiet picnic spot by the rocks (and seal spotting)
- The hamlet of thatched houses opposite Blackpool Sands.
- Taking a detour to Landcombe Cove. Â Only accessible if you’re walking which makes it a very isolated spot.
Where next?
From our first walk from Torquay to Brixham, and the subsequent explore from our door in Kingswear, we’ve covered 42.1km of the South West Coast Path.  The next section is along Slapton Sands which we completed with my parents.  It was the last time I saw them pre-lockdown. (Miss you Mumsie and Popsicle).
