Kingsand & Cawsand - Villages & Coast Path

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Kingsand & Cawsand Villages & Coast Path, with Detectives helping DCI Justin Case work through the clues and solve whodunnit after Dr 'Knee' Bones uncovers a recently buried skeleton in the sealed smuggling tunnels around Kingsand and Cawsand.

The investigation covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll explore the beautiful villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, with The Square at the heart of the route, then investigate The Bound, the beach and foreshore, Market Street, The Cleave, The Green and a viewing area around the 18th century replica cannons before returning to the start area near the main Cawsand Long Stay Car Park.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, but there are several steep hills and narrow lanes. Garrett Street is a climb with no pavements, and New Road has no pavement for much of the way, so appropriate footwear is strongly recommended.

Take care at the road crossing on New Road, where supervision is advised for children and single file may be needed. The route also reaches the beach and foreshore, so keep Mini Detectives close around the water's edge.

Getting There

By car: Start the case at Main Cawsand Long Stay Car Park, off New Road (PL10 1PJ). This is the recommended parking spot, and the route returns to the start area near the car park.

By public transport: In summer months, you can reach the crime scene via the ferry from Plymouth, disembarking by The Bound.

Need the Loo?

Public conveniences are available on The Bound at Clue 02 and in Kingsand at Clue 07, giving your detective squad two useful comfort stops early in the investigation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the case 🐾

The route includes steep hills, narrow lanes, beach and foreshore sections, plus stretches without pavements on Garrett Street and New Road. Keep canine colleagues close around traffic, road crossings and the water while your squad searches for evidence.

Food & Drink Stops

Crime-solving is thirsty work. Refreshments can be found in the square and throughout the route until you pass Clue 13. The Cross Keys Inn is on The Square, and the Rising Sun is also mentioned on route.

If your team prefers its rations al fresco, pack a picnic to enjoy on the beach.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Square and the Village Centre

The investigation explores the beautiful villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, with The Square at the heart of the walk. The villages on the western shore of Plymouth Sound began to grow rapidly when Plymouth merchants built pilchard cellars along the beach during Elizabethan times, adding plenty of historic atmosphere to your sleuthing.

The Bound and the Foreshore

The route drops down to The Bound and follows the beach and foreshore, making this a cracking place to slow the pace once the clues are under control. In summer months, ferry arrivals from Plymouth disembark by The Bound too, so it is a lively and useful part of the route.

The Cleave and Fort Picklecombe View

The Cleave follows alongside the foreshore, giving Detectives another scenic stretch of coastal evidence-gathering. Optional detour: if you venture a little further on after Clue 27, you'll get a good view of Fort Picklecombe across the bay and the red rocks of the foreshore.

The Green and the Replica Cannons

The Trail reaches The Green, then later a viewing area around the 18th century replica cannons, alongside a war memorial and other evidence points. It's a good spot to pause, take in the coastal character and decide which member of the squad has the sharpest eye for clues.