THE GOOD SHEPHERD’S WAY
A ROUND ROBIN PILGRIMAGE WALK LINKING THE CHURCHES OF THE BRIXHAM MISSION COMMUNITY over 2 DAYS. Total distance 16miles/26km over both days.
DAY 1. SATURDAY 15/08/2026. Total distance 4 miles/6.4km.
Barn Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Galmpton to St Mary’s Church, Brixham, via St Mary the Virgin Church, Churston Ferrers and All Saints Church, Brixham.
From 10.00 am until end of picnic lunch, approx 13.30/14.00.
EASY route, mainly flat. A basic level of fitness is needed.
DAY 2. SUNDAY 16/08/2026. Total distance 12 miles/19.3km
St Mary’s Church Brixham to The Chapel of the Good Shepherd, via St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Kingswear.
08.30 start until end of afternoon tea, approx 18.00.
WARNING!
St Mary’s Church Brixham to St Thomas of Canterbury Church , Kingswear is a DIFFICULT route including 7 challenging miles/11.6km of the SW Coast Path (very steep ascents and descents and cliffs, with few exit points) There are approximately 2000 feet/600m of ascent and 2000 feet/600m of descent. An excellent level of fitness is needed.
YOU MAY PREFER TO JOIN AT KINGSWEAR from 14.00.
St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Kingswear to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Galmpton is a MODERATE difficulty route for 5 miles/8km from Kingswear, up the river from the Dart Estuary. A good level of fitness is needed.
This is a SELF GUIDED WALK undertaken AT YOUR OWN RISK.
In the event of extreme weather, the walk for that day will be cancelled.
Please make your own arrangements for collection or check the buses.
You are very welcome to do one stage or all stages.
Timings are approximate as people have different walking speeds.
Wear good walking shoes or walking boots.
Bring sunhat, waterproofs, suncream, plenty of drinks, snacks and your own picnic. You can refill your water bottles at each church.
Day 1 suitable for children and pushchairs. Day 2 not suitable for young children.
Day 1 section1 could be done in a wheelchair.
Walking poles are especially helpful on day 2. Note that there is no reliable mobile phone signal from the Coastal Path.
Dogs on leads welcome. But be aware the weather may be very hot and please note that day 2 includes steep ascents and descents, high ferns obscuring cliff edges and that there are sheep and ponies grazing on the coastal strip.
Each Church will be open for a two hour period, see following pages
DAY1 SATURDAY 15/08/2026.
Starts at 10.00 at The Barn Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Greenway Road, Galmpton TQ5 0LT, with a blessing by Reverend Dr Philippa Bellows.
Section 1 The Barn Chapel, Galmpton to St Mary the Virgin Church, Churston, TQ5 0JE.
1.3 miles/2km. 25 minutes, EASY, flat, suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Mainly pavemented/quiet lane.
From the Barn Chapel, turn right up Greenway Road, in 100m bear right to stay on Greenway Road and proceed past Churston Grammar School.
Cross the main road using the underpass which has steps or ramps.
Continue on the footpath along the main road towards Brixham and pass a garage and a farm shop.
After Cayman Golf turn left down unmarked ancient country lane .
At end turn right briefly onto Bascombe Road then turn left along Green Lane, at the end of which turn right to St Mary the Virgin Church.
You will find welcome, reflective space, toilets, drinks and water for dogs.
Hospitality from 10am-12noon. Collect your Pilgrim Stamp.
Section 2 St Mary the Virgin Church, Churston Ferrers to All Saints Church, Church Street, Brixham TQ5 8HG.
1.7miles/2.8km 50minutes, EASY, stone single step stile early on then mainly flat gravel path, then mainly pavement or tarmac road. A pushchair can be lifted over the stile.
From Churston Church, continue along treelined Church Road. At junction, continue a very short distance then turn left and go across the stile onto America Lane, a gravelled walkway. Main path eventually bears right sign posted Fishcombe Cove, Brixham. Eventually turn sharp right through old metal gateway, sign posted Coastpath, Brixham, (width 2.5 feet/76cm)
Pass between holiday homes above Fishcombe Cove. After Brixham Battery Museum, turn left through gap in wall and follow diagonal path up through Battery Gardens.
Exit gardens to follow North Furzeham Road. For 100m there is no pavement: Take Care!
At junction with Bella Vista Road, take diagonal path right across Furzeham Green.
Exit park and pass under railway bridge in front of you, down Station Hill, past the Queen’s Arms. At the T junction, turn right along Church Road to enter All Saints Church via the second entrance, up steps.
You will find welcome, reflective space, toilets, drinks and water for dogs.
Hospitality from 11.00 to 13.00. Collect your Pilgrim Stamp.
Section 3 All Saints Church, Brixham to St Mary’s Church, Brixham, St Mary’s Square, Drew Street, Brixham TQ5 9JY.
1mile, 1.6km. EASY, 20 minutes, mainly on pavements, minimal walking on roads. Sharp descent at start then level then gentle incline.
Exit All Saints, turn right along Church Street. Turn almost immediately sharp left down Church Hill West. Turn downhill opposite the Smugglers’ Haunt Hotel, go past the library. Proceed straight on across the Bolton Cross crossroads, crossing at the traffic lights onto Bolton Street.
Continue over next crossroads onto Greenwood Road, past Brixham Hospital. Proceed straight up Greenwood Road and Drew Street. St Mary’s Church Tower appears. At St Mary’s Square turn left through red sandstone archway into St Mary’s Church.
As well as finding welcome, reflective space, toilets, drinks and water for your dog, take time to enjoy your picnic with fellow walkers in the churchyard or in the church.
Collect your Pilgrim Stamp. Hospitality from 12.00 to 14.00.
For those returning to Galmpton Barn Chapel you can retrace your steps to Brixham Town Square, and find the number 12 bus, every 12 minutes out of Brixham. Get off at the stop called Churston Golf Course and walk down Greenway Road to the Barn Chapel.
Or catch the number 18 bus (hourly at quarter past the hour, check timetable) (turn right from St Mary’s, and the bus stop is opposite The Chapel House), arrive at the Town Square and catch the number 12 bus as above.
DAY 2 SUNDAY 16/08/2026
08.30 start until end of afternoon tea, approx 18.00.
Total 12 miles/19.3km.
St Mary’s Church Brixham to The Chapel of the Good Shepherd,Galmpton
via St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Kingswear.
Section 1 St Mary’s Church, Brixham to St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Kingswear.
Leaving 08.30 from St Mary’s Church, Brixham. 4 hours 30minutes of walking excluding breaks. 7.25miles/11.6km
Exit St Mary’s via the TOP OF THE CHURCHYARD, turn right out of the churchyard and immediately left up some steps, into St Mary’s Park. Proceed past tennis court and bowling green. Bear left to exit park at the top. Turn right and in 50m turn left up Chiseldon Hill and follow on until it becomes a bridle path. Keep following as it climbs, and bear right to continue climbing as it joins Yards Lane. At the crossroads ‘Southdown Cross’ turn left and descend to Southdown Farm. Keep left to follow path to MANSANDS.
Turn right at the beach and follow the coastal path as it climbs behind lime kiln and coastguard cottages. Continue steeply up, along and then down to SCABBACOMBE SANDS.
Climb zig zag path and continue following signs to stay on SW Coast Path. Continue along coastal path towards Pudcombe Cove, eventually passing the lower gate of COLETON FISHACRE National Trust.
Continue on the coastal path, eventually passing through a 5 bar gate and keep to the main upper path. At the T junction with tarmac path, turn left towards the COASTWATCH station.
Go down to the Coastwatch and then take the path to the right towards Kingswear.
Keep going, eventually taking steep steps down to Mill Creek, then take 2 sets of steep steps up the other side, to the very top, to a tarmac road, where you turn left to Kingswear. Gradually descend into KINGSWEAR, descend Church Hill to St Thomas of Canterbury Church, on Church Hill.
You will find welcome, reflective space, toilets, drinks and water for dogs. You may eat your picnic here and take a good rest! Pilgrim stamp. Hospitality from 13.00 to 15.00.
Exit Strategies if needed: Mansands. Retrace steps to St Mary’s Brixham.
Scabbacombe Sands. Scabbacombe Carpark to Main Road and bus stop.
Coleton Fishacre National Trust. Call for taxi as road unsuitable for walkers.
Froward Point- Higher Brownstone Carpark, call for taxi as road unsuitable for walkers.
KINGSWEAR- bus 18 to Brixham, bus 120 to Churston, last bus 18.00.
- Steam Train, last train to Paignton 17.15.
Section 2 St Thomas of Canterbury Church Kingswear to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Galmpton. 4.75 Miles/7.6km, moderate difficulty.
2 hours of walking.
Walk downhill from the Church then turn right up the hill, looking out for the General Stores. Opposite the Stores, turn left down metal steps to footbridge over the STEAM RAILWAY and take the footpath through the boatyard. Continue alongside the river and railway track, all the way to the HIGHER FERRY in the distance.
At the Higher Ferry, keep to the left side of the road as you climb as there is no pavement here and cars come down the hill fast. If cars disembark the ferry, it is best to let them all pass before continuing, as the road is narrow.
At the first bend in the road, take the footpath down left through woods, cross over slip road to NOSS BOATYARD to continue footpath in woods. Path eventually curves down left to cross a small stream (stepping stones) and now take the smaller path on right uphill until you reach sharp bend to the left. Keep to this path through LONG WOOD. Arrows pointing up to the right indicate the final climb of the day. Follow this path which comes out above MAYPOOL.
At the 5 bar gate, do not go through but turn right onto bridleway back up slope through fields. Continue straight until junction with COOMBE LANE where you turn left to descend towards GALMPTON, eventually crossing Steam Railway bridge, then turn right onto Greenway Road. Pass the PRIMARY SCHOOL and the Barn Chapel of the Good Shepherd appears on the right.
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE FINISHED!
Pilgrim Stamp. Tea and cake will be served to share. Hospitality 16.00 to 18.00.