This walk is a 6.5 mile ‘there and back’ starting at Freshwater East, to Stackpole Quay and the viewpoint above Barafundle Bay, then return.

This walk starts at the access path to Freshwater East beach, opposite the Trewent Holiday Park. The official coast path runs behind the beach but it’s definitely worthwhile taking the opportunity of a stroll across Freshwater East beach, as the wide stretch of sands never fails to impress.

We join the coast path on a climb uphill to the headland known as Trewent Point, pausing halfway up to enjoy the view across the bay.

At the headland the path heads westwards across undulating grassy cliff tops reaching Greenala Point. This is the site of an Iron Age coastal promontory fort, and some defensive ‘tumps’ can still be made out in the landscape.

This vantage point offers stunning views of the dramatic cliffs and coastline into the distance.

The path continues above a scenic section of coast, with lovely views of both cliffs and countryside.

Then over a small hill and descend the path into the quaint sheltered inlet at Stackpole Quay.

Stackpole Quay has a lovely tearooms serving food and snacks so is an ideal rest stop for some refreshments. There is seating inside and an outside courtyard plus benches overlooking the Quay.

A visit here provides an opportunity to extend this walk to the nearby Barafundle Bay. The bay is only accessable on foot and is just a 15 minute walk from Stackpole Quay.

Just head westwards from the tea rooms, uphill via a flight of steps and then across the top of open fields to reach a stone wall archway. There’s a super viewpoint to the left side of the archway, a stone ledge near the National Trust plaque gives a picture postcard view of this idyllic bay.

See our post on a walk around Stackpole Estate & Barafundle Bay here

That’s as far as we go on the day and we retrace our steps back along the coast path returning to Freshwater East.