English Riviera Walking Festival returns
The English Riviera Walking Festival is set to return with a newly curated programme featuring 20 coastal walks, led by experienced guides.
The annual event across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham takes place this year from 6 – 21 June, will feature a new series of guided walking experiences.
These span all interests from history, heritage, creativity and wellbeing.
Set against the backdrop of its UNESCO Global Geopark status, the Walking Festival celebrates the English Riviera’s incredible scenery.
Among the new highlights of the South West’s most distinctive outdoor events is Simon Akeroyd’s Tree-mendous Garden Walk in Torquay, led by the renowned gardener and bestselling author.
Visitors explore the arboretum collection before concluding the walk at Torbay Gin, where guests will enjoy complimentary samples of locally produced gin and rum.
Another festival highlight features history taking centre stage on the newly created Walking with Mammoths and Neanderthals tour in Torquay, which invites participants to step back 40,000 years and imagine Torquay in the Ice Age.
Guests will learn about woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed cats and find out why Devon was integral to the early understandings of the Ice Age.
Walking Festival organiser, Graham Kerr, said: “There’s something truly special about the variety and energy of our 2026 Walking Festival programme.”
“Across the English Riviera, home to the scenic South West Coast Path, the line up spans everything from coastal adventures and hidden coves, to walks inspired by Agatha Christie and sea shanties.”
It brings together stunning landscapes, local stories and unforgettable experiences, he added.
Wellbeing is a central theme for 2026, with a range of new walks designed to help guests slow down and reset.
Highlights include Serenity by the Sea in Brixham, a coastal yoga escape guiding guests from Battery Gardens to Broadsands Beach with opportunities to enjoy a revitalising sea dip.
Guests can also take in the views at Berry Head Nature Reserve, one of the English Riviera’s most picturesque locations whilst immersing themselves in a Sunset Solstice Yoga Connection.
For something truly unique, the Walking Festival also offers a relaxing Coastal Sensory Journey, as well as the opportunity to tap into your creative side with a Painting and Pimms Coastal Walk.
Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, added: “The new festival programme combines storytelling, wellbeing and creativity. There is a walk for all fitness levels, from a one-mile mindfulness stroll to a 12-mile hike from Torquay to Brixham along the stunning South West Coast Path.”
The English Riviera has a wide selection of accommodation for all budgets and group sizes, from family-run B&Bs, action-packed holiday parks, self-catering, and seafront hotels.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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