SWCP Section 1, Minehead To Westward Ho!

Overnight stops in Minehead mark the beginning of your South West Coast Path adventure. The trail starts from Minehead’s harbour, quickly climbing above the coastline to scale Selworthy Beacon, offering a mix of coastal and moorland walking. As you leave the gentle coombes and woodlands behind, you’ll pass Burgundy Chapel, the first site with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. The alternative ‘Rugged Coast Path route’ offers a more challenging journey, clinging to the cliff sides through deep ravines that drop steeply into the sea. For those preferring less of a height challenge, the interior route through dense woodlands opens up to gentle moorland, eventually reaching Selworthy Beacon at 308 metres, offering rare views of Exmoor. The path then drops down to the coast at Hulstone Point, where the impressive Porlock Ridge stretches out, a shingle bar that has withstood over 8000 years of history. After recent storms, the ridge was breached, turning the land into salt marsh and creating a haven for birdlife. The rerouted path now follows this new inland high tide mark. The day ends with a stroll through the charming National Trust village of Bossington, where a tea garden offers a refreshing break before continuing into Porlock Town, one of Somerset’s most picturesque villages. From here, a peaceful walk takes you to the tranquil harbour of Porlock Weir for an overnight stop, setting the stage for the next leg of your coastal journey.

Today, you cross into North Devon at ‘County Gate,’ passing estates, a unique cottage church, and challenging terrain before reaching Lynmouth. After leaving Porlock, you wander through Yearnor Woods, spotting Lord Lovelace’s follies. The path takes you past the secluded Culbone Church, the smallest in England, and onto the Glenthorne Estate with its Victorian rhododendrons and hidden icehouse. You’ll pause for lunch at Glenthorne Beach before continuing past the ‘Sisters’ Fountain,’ linked to Joseph of Arimathea. In the afternoon, cross bubbling streams and cliffs, passing Foreland Point Lighthouse, before descending to Lynmouth, a charming Victorian resort for your overnight stop.

Today's walk on the North Devon Coast Path is one of the most spectacular stretches of the entire route, offering breathtaking views and dramatic landscapes. The day begins with a steep climb from Lynmouth, leading to cliffside walking through the infamous Valley of the Rocks. This area, described by poet Robert Southey as "the very bones and skeleton of the earth," is filled with twisted and contorted rock formations, including the Devil's Cheesewring, Ragged Jack, and the White Lady. Wild goats roam the desolate scene as you pass Castle Rock, towering over steep drops to the sea. The path then continues through Duty Point Tower, Lee Bay Abbey, and past Red Deer at Woody Bay, before entering the ravine of Heddons Mouth, one of the deepest valleys in the UK. After a challenging 900ft climb, you'll reach Peters Rock, a viewpoint offering stunning views of the surrounding moorland and the chance to spot buzzards, ravens, and peregrine falcons. From here, the path ascends to Great Hangman, the highest point on the South West Coast Path at 318m, offering panoramic views over Exmoor. After passing disused mine workings, the path descends to the village of Combe Martin, where you'll enjoy a well-deserved overnight stop.

Today marks your departure from dramatic Exmoor, with the coast path becoming gentler as you approach North Devon’s golden estuaries. Starting at Watermouth, a beautiful inlet beneath the gothic Watermouth Castle, you pass Rillage Point with views of smugglers’ caves and seabirds. You’ll also visit the old hill fort at Hillsborough before reaching Illfracombe for lunch, a charming fishing port with its iconic Chapel of St Nicholas atop Lantern Hill. Afterward, you explore Tunnels Beach and its Victorian bathing pools. In the afternoon, the path takes you through steep valleys and prehistoric standing stones, reaching the lighthouse at Bull Point. At Rockham Bay, you might spot basking seals and the wreck of the SS Collier, before heading to Morte Point, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The day ends at Woolacombe, famous for its sandy beaches and tropical shells.

Today marks a gentler trek through fine sandy beaches, leading to the largest dunes nature reserve in the UK and the golden Taw and Torridge estuaries, which will shape your final days of walking. Start by wandering Woolacombe Sands or the vast dunes of Woolacombe Warren, home to rabbits and adders. Then, you’ll pass Baggy Point, known for its vertical cliffs and popular with climbers, offering great views of basking seals. A stop in Croyde, a picturesque surfing village, makes for a perfect lunch break. Afterward, the path takes you through Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve full of wildlife. Along the way, you'll pass the “American Road” and the historical D-Day training site. As you reach the River Taw, a boardwalk lets you dip your feet into the estuary, while flocks of birds surround you. Your day ends in Braunton, with an optional 5-mile extension to Barnstaple for those looking for a longer walk.

Today, walking along the Coast Path becomes fast and easy as you join the flat, disused railway cutting of the old Victorian Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Railway. This stretch allows you to cover distances quickly, offering several mileage options depending on how far you wish to go. For those not in a hurry, the route is a birdwatching haven, with opportunities to spot egrets, oystercatchers, curlews, and flocks of other waders as you pass the old railway station at Wrafton on your way to Barnstaple. After crossing the Taw River via the impressive medieval Long Bridge, you’ll have time to explore Barnstaple, the area's premier market town. Continuing along the railway line, you’ll reach the welcoming café and museum at the Old Station House on Fremington Quay, where restored station buildings overlook a pleasant inlet on the Taw, crossed by an old iron railway bridge. This area was once a major loading point for Devon Ball Clay, which was shipped globally. Here, you’ll find a lookout tower complete with binoculars, perfect for observing the prolific birdlife around you. Following Isley Marsh Nature Reserve, you’ll reach Instow, a charming sailing center on the banks of the Torridge Estuary, with its restored level crossing. From Instow, the path looks back at you across the estuary, a mere few hundred meters away, but it’s an 8-mile walk to reach that point via Bideford tomorrow. You can choose to stay overnight in Instow or opt for a night in Bideford, a nearby market town.

The South West Coast Path continues along the Tarka Trail today with a gentle 3-mile route, following the estuary towards Bideford. After crossing the historic Bideford Bridge, built in 1280, you'll have time to explore the town before heading back up the opposite side of the Torridge Estuary. This section takes you through disused quays, riverside woodlands, boardwalks over marshes, and hidden beaches. Arriving in Appledore, a picturesque village with a rich maritime history, you’ll see where over 200 ships were built during the Napoleonic Wars. Explore the charming streets and the North Devon Maritime Museum before heading towards the Northam Burrows Country Park. This final stretch leads through 600 acres of protected dunes, salt marsh, and wildlife, before reaching the iconic pebble ridge and sandy beaches of Westward Ho!, marking the end of your South West Coast Path adventure.