Safe South Devon Coastal Walks With Kids In Dartmouth
If you’re looking for safe coastal walks with kids in Dartmouth, you’ve come to the right place. South Devon’s coastline is one of the most family-friendly stretches of the South West Coast Path – and Dartmouth sits right at the heart of it.
There’s a specific kind of holiday magic that happens when you pull on your boots, step outside and just… walk. No itinerary, no screens, just fresh sea air, wildflowers, and kids suddenly interested in the flora and fauna around them.
Dartmouth is genuinely brilliant for these kinds of experiences. The South West Coast Path runs through Kingswear and onto the other side to Dartmouth, and while some sections are best left to experienced hikers, there are plenty of safe, child-friendly coastal walks near our Norton Park chalets that suit families at every ability level – from toddler-friendly beach strolls to satisfying half-day routes for older children.
We’ve put together this guide with a different set of routes, chosen specifically for younger children and safety, so have a read and start planning your perfect family walking holiday.
Why Spring & Summer Are The Best Seasons For Family Coastal Walks
The warmer months transform South Devon into an area genuinely special for walking families. In spring, the clifftop paths around Dartmouth are lined with wildflowers – wild garlic, primroses, sea campion and woodland sections are carpeted in bluebells. It’s quieter than summer, the paths are less crowded, and longer daylight hours mean afternoon walks don’t feel rushed.
By summer, the coastal hustle and bustle is in full swing. The beaches are warm and the River Dart fills with boats that children find endlessly fascinating. Grey seals are regularly spotted on the rocks below the coastal path, and on a clear day, the views from the clifftops stretch for miles.
Whichever season you’re visiting, there’s a coastal walk here that fits – with Norton Park holiday lets ideally located nearby, offering plenty of space for muddy boots, kit and everything that comes with an active family holiday.
And if the weather doesn’t play ball? It happens – even in summer. We’ve put together guides to help you make the most of those days too:
5 Safe Coastal Walks With Kids Near Dartmouth
1. Blackpool Sands – Easy Beach Access Walk
Distance: 3.2 miles circular from beach car park | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: All ages | Drive from Dartmouth: 10 minutes (3 miles)
This is the one to start with if you’re walking with very young children or just want a relaxed morning out. The route down to Blackpool Sands from the nearby lanes is short and largely flat, arriving at one of South Devon’s finest beaches – a sheltered shingle-and-sand bay with calm, clear water, lifeguard cover in season, and the excellent Venus Café for post-walk ice creams and hot drinks.
It’s a proper reward-at-the-end walk, and kids know it.
Getting there: A 10-minute drive from Norton Park on the A379 towards Strete. Parking is pay-and-display at the beach car park. Arrive early in summer – it fills up fast.
2. Dartmouth Town Trail – Historic Riverside Walk
Distance: 1.6 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Starts from: Dartmouth town centre | Best for: All ages
Dartmouth’s waterfront is genuinely captivating for children – medieval streets, the harbour buzzing with boats, hidden alleyways, and history at every turn. The trail follows the River Dart along flat, accessible ground past Bayard’s Cove (where the Mayflower anchored in 1620), the historic Butterwalk, and the castle ferry steps.
Keep an eye on the estuary – seals occasionally surface near the harbour mouth, which never fails to cause excitement.
It’s a great option for a gentler day between longer walks, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to stop at along the way. We’ve also got a guide to Dartmouth takeaways if a picnic on the quayside sounds more your style.
3. Greenway Estate – National Trust Family Walk
Distance: Grounds trails from 1 – 2.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy – Moderate | Best for: Ages 5+
Greenway was Agatha Christie’s holiday home, and she called it “the loveliest place in the world.” Once you’ve walked the woodland paths above the River Dart here, you’ll understand why.
The National Trust has made this a genuinely great family destination. There are seasonal trails (including Easter family activities and a spring blossom trail), buggy-friendly routes in the walled gardens, a café, and a secondhand bookshop. The most memorable way to arrive is by the Greenway Ferry from Dartmouth (running from spring through autumn). The river journey is an adventure in itself, and children love spotting wildlife along the Dart.
Practical note: Pre-book parking if you’re driving. A ferry is the better option if you can swing it.
4. Little Dartmouth & Gallants Bower – Spring Wildflower Clifftop Path
Distance: 4 miles circular | Difficulty: Moderate | Starts from: Little Dartmouth NT Car Park (TQ6 0JP) | Best for: Ages 7+
This is the one that earns its place as Dartmouth’s most celebrated family coastal walk. Starting from the National Trust car park at Little Dartmouth (TQ6 0JP), the route follows the South West Coast Path through clifftop grasslands, past hidden coves and rocky inlets, and up to the ruins of Gallants Bower – a Civil War fort with spectacular 360° views over the sea and the Dart estuary.
In spring, the path is alive with wildflowers and birdsong. Grey seals bask on rocks below Blackstone Point. In summer, butterflies fill the warm, gorse-scented clifftop air. The route eventually reaches Dartmouth Castle, where you can explore the 15th-century fortifications before taking the inland shortcut back to the car park.
Getting there: A short drive from Norton Park to the National Trust car park at Little Dartmouth. Parking charges apply (free for NT members).
5. Slapton Sands Coastal Path – Sandy Beach Hike With Wildlife Drama
Distance: 2 – 4 miles (flexible) | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Ages 5+
A short drive from Dartmouth, Slapton Sands is one of South Devon’s most unusual landscapes – a long shingle bar separating the sea from Slapton Ley, the largest natural freshwater lake in the South West. The walking is easy and flat, plus the wildlife watching is anything but ordinary.
In spring, sand martins skim the water, reed warblers fill the reed beds with song, and the lakeside path teems with migrant birds. In summer, the beach is long and uncrowded compared to many Devon beaches. At the southern end, the village of Torcross has a café and the remarkable Sherman tank recovered from the seabed – a D-Day memorial that children find genuinely fascinating.
Facilities: Café and toilets at Torcross; parking along the beach road.
Getting there: Around a 15-minute drive from Norton Park on the A379 coast road. Parking at the Slapton memorial car park, directly off the A379.
For more information, read our blog on our 4 best walks from the chalets.
Safety Tips For Coastal Walking With Kids
A few things to take into consideration when you’re walking the South Devon coast with children:
- Check tide times before you go – This is essential for any route near the shoreline, including Sugary Cove. Use tidetimes.org.uk for Dartmouth-specific tide tables
- Wear proper footwear – It sounds obvious, but wellies or trainers on a muddy coastal path after rain make for a miserable walk. Decent walking shoes or boots are worth it, especially for the Little Dartmouth route
- Dress in layers – Even on warm days, an exposed clifftop can feel very different to the town below. Pack a lightweight waterproof – South Devon weather has its own ideas
- Stick to marked paths – Coastal erosion is ongoing along the South West Coast Path. Always follow current signage and keep children away from unprotected cliff edges
- Build in proper stops – Children walk much further when you stop often and let them explore. Rock pools, wildflowers, bird spotting – a two-mile walk with a curious eight-year-old can fill a whole morning
- What to pack – Water for everyone, snacks, sun cream in summer, a basic first aid kit with blister plasters, and a charged phone. Our Norton Park chalets have fully equipped kitchens – ideal for making your own trail lunches before you head out. Check our food shopping guide for the best local shops nearby
Making The Most Of Your Walking Holiday
The best family holidays mix active days with slower ones. After a longer coastal walk, a morning exploring Dartmouth Castle or an afternoon crabbing at the harbour is a natural follow-up. Keep an eye on our Dartmouth events page too – there’s often something on that pairs beautifully with a walking day.
And if the weather doesn’t play ball? It happens – even in summer. We’ve put together guides to help you make the most of those days too:
- Best things to do in Dartmouth – town adventures that work whatever the weather
- 5 must-do activities for your Dartmouth holiday – great alternatives when the boots stay by the door
- Things to do in Dartmouth when it’s raining – our go-to guide for keeping the family happy on wet days
- Dartmouth for every season – ideas for making the most of your visit, whatever the weather brings
- The ultimate guide to planning a group holiday in Dartmouth – perfect if you’re heading down with extended family or a group of friends
Our self-catering chalets are perfectly located for exploring safe coastal walks with kids in Dartmouth and the surrounding South Devon coast.
17 Norton Park and 40 Norton Park are particular favourites with walking families; 328 Norton Park and 101 Norton Park are great options for larger groups.
Book a chalet today by calling 01803 900154 or emailing us at info@dartmouthdevonholidays.co.uk. We’re happy to share walk recommendations based on your children’s ages and what you’re looking for from your stay.
