Maidencombe to Paignton

20/6/12 A midweek Berry's trip. The nice coach driver dropped us at Maidencombe Cross between the scheduled drop-offs in Teignmouth and Torquay. As we descended towards the coast path, it was trying to rain, but soon gave up. The path continued as it had from Shaldon, up and down the wooded combes with few flat sections. As we approached Babbacommbe, the path turned inland towards the village. However, no sooner did we reach the main road, then we headed off down another combe, under the cliff railway and down towards the beach.

At the far end of the deserted beach, the Cary Arms came into view. A hotel/restaurant as much as well as a pub, we had a pleasant Devon Coast IPA (4%) and Bays Topsail (4%) for £7 on the terrace overlooking the bay. The path continued through woods, around a few headlands, past a few more quiet beaches, through the outskirts of Torquay towards the harbour.

We were unsure how many pubs would be on the path in Torquay and were therefore mindful of the time we had to catch the coach back. As we passed Living Coasts, we spotted a Harvester tucked away. It wasn't what some might call a pub, but it did have a sign claiming to be one. Two pints of Old Speckled Hen (4.3%) for £5.90 were alright though. The path then went over a footbridge, avoiding the town and offered this view back to the pub on the harbourside in front of Living Coasts nets.

We now had to up the pace to reach Paignton and fortunately there were no pubs. The path followed the busy coast road and enabled us to make up time. As we approached the pier, we could see pubs on the other side of the green, but eventually we spotted this.

The Flagship is what it says, a family pub, and seemed to be more like a pub than the last place. Bays Devon Dumpling (5.1%) and Gold (4.3%) for £6.50 were our reward for getting there on time. We even had time for pasty each as the rain finally arrived before we boarded the coach home.