The Graveyard of Ships
Start Point has claimed more ships than almost any other headland in Britain — the jagged rocks and fierce currents around the point have caused hundreds of shipwrecks over the centuries. The lighthouse was built in 1836 by Trinity House to warn mariners of the treacherous waters, and the headland has been a landmark for sailors navigating the English Channel ever since. The exposed position and converging tidal streams make the waters around the point particularly dangerous, even today.
The headland itself is made of dark mica schist, dramatically different from the red sandstone and limestone elsewhere on the Devon coast. The folded, jagged rock creates a brooding, almost otherworldly landscape — especially striking in stormy weather when the sea breaks white against the dark cliffs. On calm days, however, the views from the point are extraordinary, stretching along the coast in both directions and far out across the Channel.
🏗️ Start Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1836 and was one of the last in England to be automated, in 1993. Open for tours on certain days in summer — check the Trinity House website for dates and booking. The castellated Gothic tower is Grade II listed and sits at the very tip of the headland, 62 metres above sea level, making it one of the most dramatically positioned lighthouses on the English coast.
The Route
🗺️ Start Point Circular (3 miles · 1.5–2 hours)
From the car park at the end of the lane (TQ7 2ET), follow the tarmac road and then the coast path south toward the headland. Views open up immediately across Start Bay — the long shingle sweep of Slapton Sands is visible to the north, with the Ley behind it.
The path follows the ridge of the headland with steep drops on both sides. The lighthouse comes into view, perched at the very tip. On windy days this section is exhilarating — exposed to the full force of the Channel. The dark schist rock underfoot is folded and fractured, giving the landscape an almost primeval character.
From the lighthouse, continue around the eastern side of the headland. Views across Start Bay to Slapton Sands and Dartmouth. The rocks below are the Sleadon rocks where many ships have been wrecked — the remains of some are still visible at low tide.
The path continues north along the eastern coast with views down to the lost village of Hallsands — a community destroyed by coastal erosion in 1917 after offshore dredging destabilised the cliffs. The ruined buildings are visible from the cliff path, a haunting sight.
Turn inland on the bridleway and return to the car park across farmland with views back to the headland and lighthouse. The contrast between the wild, exposed coast and the gentle pastoral landscape behind is one of the pleasures of this walk.
💨 Wind Warning
Start Point is one of the most exposed headlands in Devon. On windy days the path around the tip can be genuinely dangerous — gusts funnel around the point with extreme force. Check the forecast before visiting and avoid the outer headland in strong winds. The walk is best on calm, clear days when the views extend furthest and the lighthouse approach feels safe rather than alarming.
Walk Highlights
Victorian Lighthouse
Grade II listed lighthouse built 1836, perched 62m above sea level at the tip of the headland. One of the last manually operated lighthouses in England. Tours available in summer.
Lost Village of Hallsands
Visible from the eastern path, Hallsands was destroyed by storms in 1917 after offshore dredging removed the protective shingle bank. The ruins are a haunting reminder of coastal change.
Channel Panorama
On clear days, views extend from Dartmouth and the River Dart in the east to Plymouth Sound and the Eddystone Lighthouse in the west. The sense of openness is total.
Dark Schist Cliffs
The headland's mica schist rock is dramatically dark compared to Devon's usual red and cream cliffs. The jagged, folded rock creates a brooding, dramatic landscape unique on the Devon coast.
Hallsands
The lost village of Hallsands is one of Devon's most poignant stories. The fishing village stood for centuries on a shingle platform at the base of the cliffs, protected from the sea by a deep bank of gravel. In the 1890s, the Admiralty authorised dredging of the offshore shingle for use in the expansion of the naval dockyard at Devonport. Despite warnings from the villagers, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of gravel were removed.
The consequences were devastating. Without the protective shingle bank, the sea reached the village walls. Storms battered the buildings through the early 1900s, and in January 1917 a ferocious storm finally destroyed what remained. The ruins are visible from the cliff path above — roofless walls and crumbling foundations clinging to the cliff, a sobering example of human interference with coastal processes.
Prawle Point
The nearby headland of Prawle Point, 1.5 miles west along the coast path, is the southernmost point in Devon. It can be combined with Start Point for a longer walk of around 7 miles — a demanding but spectacular day along some of the wildest coastline in South Devon. See the Prawle Point walk guide for the full route, parking and details.
Dogs on the Start Point Walk
Dogs are welcome on the Start Point walk but must be kept on a lead throughout. Livestock graze the fields along the inland return path, the cliff edges are steep and unfenced in places, and the lighthouse area requires dogs to be under close control. The narrow headland path is not ideal for boisterous dogs — on windy days the exposed ridge can be unsettling for animals. Carry water as there is none available on the walk.
Getting There
Start Point is reached via narrow lanes from Stokenham or Torcross in the South Hams. The car park at the end of the lane (TQ7 2ET) is small and can fill quickly in summer — arrive early or be prepared to wait. There is no public transport to the headland, so a car is essential. The nearest towns are Kingsbridge (7 miles) and Dartmouth (10 miles), both with full facilities including shops, pubs and accommodation.