83 Take a walk..... The Wildlife & Forts of Berry Head NNR


Berry Head National Nature Reserve is Torbay’s most important wildlife site, with many rare plants dependent upon the thin soils, mild climate and exposed conditions of the headland. Although there are no beaches en route ,this is a walk to be enjoyed by everyone on a spring or summer’s day. It is also good in autumn, when the many migrant birds that gather can sometimes include rare breeds, such as Alpine swifts.


Difficulty: Easy walk on good paths along the flat plateau of Berry Head National Nature Reserve. Most of this route is level and on surfaced paths suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, and a mobilty scooter suitable for this walk can be borrowed from the visitor centre


Start/Finish: Berry Head Car Park - TQ5 9AP


Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 km)


Amenities: The Guardhouse Café 01803 855778


A mobility scooter can be borrowed from the car park - prebook by calling 01803 882619


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erry Head National Nature Reserve is Torbay’s most important wildlife site, with many rare plants dependent upon the thin soils, mild climate and exposed con- ditions of the headland. The high cliffs are home to large numbers of nesting seabirds and it is a good place to spot sea mammals. The walk also vis- its the two ‘Napoleonic war’ forts that dominate the headland, and Britain’s highest and smallest lighthouse. If you are doing this walk in the summer you are likely to see a wide range of flowers, including orchids (8 species are found on the reserve). Feeding on these can be found 25 species of butterfly, with for many this being their first landfall after migrating across from France. The views are exceptional and during the Covid-19 crisis, up to eight cruise ships have been ‘parked’ in the bay, a spectacular sight in themselves.


Cirl Bunting


Route Description 1. At the far end of the car park take the path leading off to the right towards the cliffs to a viewpoint. Behind the fence in front of you, you may be able to see the goats that have been brought in to graze the steep grassland above the cliffs. The thin soils overlying limestone, and exposed conditions make Berry Head a harsh place for plants to grow, and this has meant that it is home to many rare, specialised plants that have adapted to cope with these conditions. The goats are helping to


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