A Solo Walking Tour on England’s Southwest Coast Path
“Emma was a godsend when I was trying to plan a solo walking tour along England’s Southwest Coast path in Devon and Dorset. I described what I wanted and the general area I wanted to discover, and she arranged the perfect hiking trip! Emma even made it work around a busy bank holiday weekend so my trip wouldn’t be impacted. I can’t wait to come back to the UK, and will be sure to have Emma plan it for me — everything was spot on!”
Rochelle A. I Fairfax, Virginia, USA
At a Glance
The Brief
A frequent visitor to the British Isles, Rochelle wanted to follow up a trip to London for the London Marathon with a week-long walking tour somewhere along England’s coast. Knowing firsthand the variability of early spring weather and the challenges of planning travel in England across a busy national holiday weekend, I knew we needed a route that balanced optimal seasonal weather conditions with proximity to London — and, available accommodation.
The Journey
I arranged a six-day walking route from Totnes to Dartmouth, with train travel down to Totnes, private transfers to and from the trailhead at each end, luggage transported to each night’s accommodation in boutique inns and family-run b&bs, plus detailed maps and route notes that meant Rochelle could relax and enjoy the experience without having to manage the logistics.
Totnes to Dartmouth via Salcombe: A walk through some of South Devon's most scenic coastline, threading past fishing villages, hidden harbours, and secluded bays along the way — plus a stop in Salcombe, one of South Devon's most beloved sailing towns — often compared to the Hamptons or Cape Cod for its yacht-filled estuary and laid-back coastal glamour, with time to browse the waterside shops and restaurants and another stretch of coast before continuing to Dartmouth.
Burgh Island: A detour to Burgh Island, the tidal island near Bigbury-on-Sea that became Agatha Christie's favorite writing retreat — the inspiration behind And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun, the property is now an exclusive hotel reachable only on foot at low tide, or by the island's famous sea tractor when the water rolls in.
