Wembury to Noss Mayo Paddle Trail

Wembury to Noss Mayo Paddle Trail

2 hours
Duration
5 miles
Distance
Out and Back
Moderate Challenge
Difficulty
PL9 0HP
Start Postcode
PL9 0HP
End Postcode
A. Park in the Wembury Beach National Trust car park. To begin your journey, you will need to carry your kayak from your car and down a stepped slope onto the beach (100m).

B. Launch your kayak in the middle of the beach, near the stream, to avoid any rocks. Head left (east) and around Blackstone Rocks, the large wave- cut platform jutting out to sea.

C. Follow the coastline towards Season Point (the headland at the mouth of the Yealm.

D. Once around Season Point and through the estuary mouth guarded by a sandbank, cross the water to Cellar Beach, a beautiful cove surrounded by seagrass beds.

E. Continue paddling upstream until Newtons Creek comes into view (The River Yealm Harbour Authority pontoon will be ahead of you.

F.  Turn right (East) into the creek, and in approx. 800m you can turn right into Noss creek. On your left you will see the slipway for The Swan Inn or continue 100m and you will see the Ship Inn on your right.

G. Start your return journey by retracing your ‘paddle strokes’ until you arrive at Wembury Beach.

Accessibility

From the car park there is a stepped slope down to the beach.

Discover More

Launch from Wembury Beach to discover the caves and secluded coves along the tranquil River Yealm, en route to your destination, Noss Mayo. In this old smuggler village, you can stop for a pint at the Ship Inn before completing your return journey back to Wembury. This route is tidal – you should aim to reach Noss Creek at high tide.

Park at National Trust Wembury Beach Car Park (NT members park free). Toilets open all year round. Cafe (please call 01752 863280 for up-to-date opening hours).

Whilst following the coastline towards The River Yealm, you will have great views of nesting sea birds on the cliffs above, and if the tide is right, you will see the cave marked on the OS map as The Tomb.

The River Yealm, enclosed by steep wooded banks, is a tranquil and unspoilt site, and an important area in terms of conservation. It is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to many protected species. Much of the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust. If you look up to the land on the Wembury side, you may be able to see newly planted trees which are some of the 90,000 planted to create the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

For information on the history of The Yealm and the surrounding parishes, please visit History Of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo | The Yealm.

Named after the ‘cellars’ that used to store fishermen’s equipment, Cellar Beach is a remote pebble and sand beach worth a visit. It’s a great spot for snorkelling and swimming.

The waterside pubs in Noss Mayo, The Swan Inn and The Ship Inn, are great places to stop for a drink, lunch, or dinner.

To find out more about the National Trust at Wembury and the surrounding area, please visit: National Trust – Wembury

Licence Information

The waterways on this trail do not require you to have a licence to paddle on them. However, if you paddle regularly and want to explore more places to paddle, you could consider becoming a member of Paddle UK. You’ll get a whole range of benefits as an On The Water member, including an annual licence to paddle on 4,500km of Britain’s waterways, liability insurance, and great discounts on paddling related products. Join today at www.paddleuk.org.uk 

JOIN PADDLE UK 

Safety Information

This route is tidal- Please check tide times to plan your journey. You will not be able to access Newton and Noss creek if the tide is out.

Tidal Specific Info: www.thebeachguide.co.uk/…wembury-weather.htm

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Water Safety

Navigation eLearning

Tides eLearning

Weather eLearning

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.

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