The English Riviera Walking Festival is back

Put your best foot forward at the English Riviera Walking Festival which returns from 4 – 19 May 2024. The festival is organised by the English Riviera BID Company in collaboration with Torbay Council, showcasing an exhilarating array of 25 half and full day coastal walks guided by seasoned and passionate local guides.

The English Riviera is a walker’s paradise, with its mild climate and numerous walking trails through woodland and along the South West Coast Path. This dog-friendly festival offers something for walkers of all abilities, ranging from a 1.5-mile sunset stroll to a 15-mile coastal challenge.

Together with the return of favourite walks from previous years, the 2024 festival includes ten brand new walking adventures including: An Extraordinary Walking Experience, a spectacular day’s outing around Dartmouth via steam train and ferry; and Take a Walk on the Wine Side, an adult-only walk through country lanes to Sandridge Barton, home of Sharpham Wines, for lunch and a wine-tasting tour.

This year’s festival sees the return of popular walks for nature-lovers, including the UNESCO Geopark Coastal Walk exploring the breathtaking South West Coast Path and the area’s fascinating geology, and the Coastal Nature Ramble around Brixham’s Berry Head National Nature Reserve. For the green-fingered, take a tour around Torre Abbey’s historic gardens and grounds, discovering Potent Plants and Exotic Palms with head gardener Ali Marshall.

Keen walkers are invited to step up for the two day Walk the Bay Challenge. This is the chance to walk the English Riviera coastline from end to end and experience the South West Coast Path at its finest.

There’s plenty of family fun on the 2-mile Aaaarrrr you with us Shipmates? walk, with Brixham’s annual Pirate Festival as a colourful backdrop. Expect sea shanties and tales of pirate adventures.

There are spooky tales afoot on Ghosts, Ghouls and Goosebumps, and discover the English Riviera’s fascinating musical associations on a Magical Musical Sunset Tour.

The Walking Festival pays homage to the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, with three walking outings: Walking in Agatha Christie’s Footsteps, The Story of Agatha Christie’s Extraordinary Life, and Swimming with Agatha Christie.

History lovers will relish the chance to discover the little-known corners and long-forgotten tales of our three towns, with walks including Paignton’s Hidden History, Brixham’s Secret Lanes and Passageways, and Torquay’s Blue Plaque Heritage Trail and Secret Stories Revealed.

The Walking Festival spans three weekends, making it the perfect excuse to take a break and make new memories. The English Riviera has a wealth of walker-friendly accommodation, and with over 300 eateries, first-class attractions, and great local and national transport links, it makes the ideal destination for a walking holiday.

To book tickets, and for details of each walk including ticket price, distance and duration, visit englishriviera.co.uk/walking-festival. Early bird prices start from just £10 per walk per person.