Berry Head
The Harbour is the obvious first port of call for most visitors to Brixham, but if you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a while, it’s worth taking a walk out to Berry Head.
This limestone plateau is the southern protective arm of Torbay (Hope’s Nose is the northern one) and has the sea on three sides, affording wonderful views across Torbay, down the South Devon Coastline towards the mouth of the River Dart, and of course, out to sea.
Limestone has always been a valuable source of stone, and Berry head was extensively quarried for around 300 years, some of which was used in the construction of two Napoleonic Forts here on the headland.
There were supposed to have been 3 forts, but only 2 were built – The Northern and Southern Forts. The outer walls of both survive, but apart from the Guardhouse Café and Visitor Centre, there aren’t many buildings of substance left inside the fort.
The pictures below are of the Southern Fort, two of the Northern Fort and the Guardhouse Café and Visitor Centre.
As you walk along the headland you will soon understand why Berry Head has always been used as a defensive position. From an Iron Age Fort, through Roman times to the 2nd WW there has always been something here to protect these shores. There’s even a Cold War bunker here.
At the end of the promontory, you’ll come to the lighthouse, which at just 5 metres tall (16.4 ft), is Britain’s shortest, but at 58 metres (190 ft) above sea level, is also one of the highest.
Right at the end there is a sheer unfenced drop down into the English Channel so you’ll need to take care, especially in windy conditions. The uninterrupted views out to sea will give you the opportunity to see Bottlenose Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises which are often seen around here, and even the occasional Basking Shark.
This is also a good vantage point to see migrating birds. Some 200 species have been recorded here, but some of them also call this home. Berry Head is home to the largest colony of guillemots on the south coast of England and a bird hide has thoughtfully been provided near to the Visitor Centre. If you’ve forgotten your binoculars you can nip into the Visitor Centre and watch the birds on the webcam instead. There are around a thousand ‘Brixham penguins’ as they are known locally, jockeying for position on the cliff ledges below.
At the bottom of the cliffs are caves which are not only used by seals but are also home to one of the last British bastions of the Greater Horseshoe Bat.
Berry Head is also a National Nature Reserve with around 500 different types of plant and 28 species of butterfly, all looked after by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust (TCCT)
You don’t have to walk out to Berry Head from Brixham because the TCCT has provided a Pay & Display car park, the proceeds of which help to maintain this fabulous part of Torbay from any more quarrying or unwelcome development. If you think it’s too far to walk and you don’t have your own transport, then try and get a lift or take a taxi – just don’t leave Brixham without going out to Berry Head.
POSTED – NOVEMBER 2020
Originally posted 2020-11-18 06:58:31.
Well, may I congratulate you on this fab post but also msyelf for choosing it today for my travels. LOL. I LOVED it. It’s just the kind of place I like and the lighthouse did make me smile.
Berry Head may not have the solitude of some parts of the wonderful Scottish coastline, but I love to take a walk out there every so often. As I said, it really does blow the cobwebs away. By the way, I’ve been watching your play with programme in hand. I’ve still got some way to go, but it’s great to see the history of Dundee brought to life, especially as it’s in the perfect venue. You really are a very talented lady.
you’re too kind. It is a good script to work with and a good cast, most of whom have been in every run. There were two new folks this year plus wee Amara. I knew Liz and Paul a bit but that is no guarantee that they’d fit right in the way they did or bring so much to it, or indeed that Liz who had got in touch on FB after she did No Pasaran on the Cd which was one I’d done the music for, and I would just pick up from where we left off as pals and next door neighbours in another life, once the rehearsals started. She lives in Blairgowrie but we are managing to meet every so often. But thank you so much for your kind words. I’ve laways loved putting a play together and this one was fun. And thank you again for watching. Now Berry Head is lovely. All these bits and pices of interest and history. I love the post. I don’t blame you for taking a walk there every so often. We quite like the Stannergate here that way.
At least I can see what you get up to now when you talk about your productions. Whenever I go out to Berry Head, it’s always difficult not to drop into the Berry Head Hotel for a drink on the terrace with maybe a crab sandwich or cream tea 🙂
Well, on our way back from the Stannergate we find it well nigh impossible not to drop in at the Ship, even though technically speaking it is not actually on our way back up the hill…. I see you have a similar prob. Lol, we are always up to something.
I really enjoy your coastal walks and this one is no exception.
Thanks Albert. You should know all the answers to Easymalc’s Westcountry quiz by now 🙂
What a wonderful virtual coastal walk for a miserable November day! I love the idea that our shortest lighthouse is also one of our highest 😆
Thanks Sarah. I’m glad that it brightened up your day. Walking out to Berry Head always gets rid of the cobwebs 🙂