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. The high cliffs are home to large numbers of nesting seabirds and it is a good place to spot sea mammals. The walk also visits 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.

Behind the Guardhouse cafe is a viewpoint, with a coin-operated telescope. This is one of the best spots for looking at what is the largest guillemot colony on the south coast of England, nesting (March to the end of July) on the cliffs below the Southern Fort. These black and white birds (known locally as the ‘Brixham penguin’) spend most of their lives out at sea, and only come ashore during the nesting season. Their small wings mean that flying appears hard work, but to compensate they are excellent swimmers and will swim down to depths of 50m/160ft to catch fish. They lay a single egg which is very tapered to stop it rolling off the narrow cliff ledges. Once the chicks are about 20 days old, the chicks will jump (as they are at this stage unable to fly) from their ledge into the sea, and the male bird will then guide them out to sea.

The cliffs around the last part of the headland are unfenced, and so you are advised to keep children and dogs under close control. On the way you will pass the fort’s artillery store which has been converted into an information centre, with displays on the geology, wildlife and history of Berry Head. Just past here is the lookout station for Brixham coastguard and the Berry Head lighthouse. It came to be known as the smallest, highest and deepest light in the British Isles - the tower is only 5m/15ft high, requiring no further elevation than that given by the 58m/180ft high headland itself, and the optic was originally turned by the action of a weight falling down a 45m/150ft deep shaft, now made redundant by a small motor. Its white light flashes twice every 15 seconds and can be seen for 19 nautical miles. According to the nearby toposcope from here you can see over 2000 sq km/800 sq miles of sea, and on a clear day the Isle of Portland, 42 miles away on the other side of Lyme Bay, and most of the coast in between.

Situated high on these cliffs provides a good vantage point to spot passing sea mammals, with harbour porpoises being frequently sighted. In spring and autumn, many migrating birds will be passing Berry Head, and around 200 different species have been recorded either on the headland or seen from it.
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Our top choices for Berry Head Country Park hotels

Ranscombe House

1.3 km from Berry Head Country Park

Patrick

includes taxes & fees

10 Jan - 11 Jan

Smugglers Haunt Hotel

1.8 km from Berry Head Country Park

Jennifer

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

Blue Horizon

1.6 km from Berry Head Country Park

Richard

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Pebble Bay

1.7 km from Berry Head Country Park

Margaret

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Hearthstone East Cottage

3 km from Berry Head Country Park

Christina

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Blue Buoy Cottage

1.7 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Fishnets

1.5 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

3 Pebble Cottage

1.3 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

16 Jan - 17 Jan

The Nook

2 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

2 North Furzeham Road

1.7 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Midhurst

2.6 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

13 Jan - 14 Jan

Bay View

1.7 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Bayview

2.3 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Ingledene

1.1 km from Berry Head Country Park

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

The Railway Inn

4.7 km from Berry Head Country Park

Terence

includes taxes & fees

8 Jan - 9 Jan

Ambassador Guest House

6.4 km from Berry Head Country Park

Mark

includes taxes & fees

9 Jan - 10 Jan

Amber House

6.2 km from Berry Head Country Park

Joel

includes taxes & fees

9 Jan - 10 Jan

St Weonards Hotel

6.6 km from Berry Head Country Park

Leo

includes taxes & fees

23 Jan - 24 Jan

Premium bedding, memory-foam beds, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

The Goodrington Sands- Apart Hotel

6.1 km from Berry Head Country Park

Alan key

includes taxes & fees

8 Jan - 9 Jan

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Mercure Paignton Hotel

6.6 km from Berry Head Country Park

Sue

includes taxes & fees

22 Jan - 23 Jan

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Top Berry Head Country Park Hotel Reviews

Hotels near other Berry Head Country Park attractions

Berry Head

4.5/5 (19 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Berry Head, a lovely green space in Brixham. Amble around this relaxing area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

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Shoalstone Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Shoalstone Beach during your trip to Brixham? Stroll along this relaxing area's waterfront or simply enjoy its bars.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Berry Head Country Park?

Berry Head Country Park is located in Brixham. Travellers like this welcoming area for its bars and seafood restaurants. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, take a look at the 145 hotels and other accommodation options you'll find within a mile.

What's the best place to stay close to Berry Head Country Park?

Adjacent to Berry Head Country Park, Berry Head Hotel is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveller data, and this hotel offers 2 restaurants and free breakfast. Other good options close by include Sea Tang Guest House and Devoncoast Seaview Apartments.

How many hotels are there near Berry Head Country Park?

Expedia has 145 hotels and other accommodation options within a mile from Berry Head Country Park.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Berry Head Country Park, will I receive a refund?

Yes, you'll find most hotel reservations are fully refundable provided that you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your arrival date. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you may still be able to cancel and be given a refund within 24 hours of booking. Add your dates and click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to view the best deals available near Berry Head Country Park.

What can I see and do near Berry Head Country Park?

Study the collections at Golden Hind, Brixham Heritage Museum or Torquays Dinosaur World. Dartmouth Steam Railway, Palace Theatre and Greenway House and Garden are some of the notable landmarks to see in the area. You can enjoy live performances at Princess Theatre and Little Theatre.

Hotels near Berry Head Country Park

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Our top choices for Berry Head Country Park hotels

Ranscombe House

Smugglers Haunt Hotel

Blue Horizon

Pebble Bay

Hearthstone East Cottage

Blue Buoy Cottage

Fishnets

3 Pebble Cottage

The Nook

2 North Furzeham Road

Midhurst

Bay View

Bayview

Ingledene

The Railway Inn

Ambassador Guest House

Amber House

St Weonards Hotel

The Goodrington Sands- Apart Hotel

Mercure Paignton Hotel

Top Berry Head Country Park Hotel Reviews

Hotels near other Berry Head Country Park attractions

Berry Head

Shoalstone Beach

Breakwater Beach

Brixham Marina

Brixham Harbour

Strand Art Gallery

St. Mary's Bay Beach

Golden Hind

Frequently asked questions