Seal spotting
Morte Point to Bull Point
Park in the Morte Hoe Heritage Centre, then walk through the village past the pub and cemetery and head out towards Morte Point. Be sure to look out for the seals which will often be found hunting for fish at high tide or hauled out on the rocks at low tide.
Follow the headland around to Rockham Bay which is a steep descent but well worth a visit. This is a dog friendly beach year round and the perfect spot for your dog to have a paddle and cool off. After a refreshing break on the beach continue onto Bull Point Lighthouse. At this point a track can be taken inland which leads back to the village or if you wish to stay near the sea, return via the route you came.
Where Rudyard Kipling grew up
Westward Ho! Coastal Path
Park at Seafield car park (free) at the end of Merley Road, then walk across the playing field to a track which was once a railway line. Follow this around Kipling Tors (named after Rudyard Kipling who went to school in Westward Ho!) and then walk along the coastal path as far as you please.
Abbotsham Cliffs are the first set of cliffs you can see and if you fancy a longer walk, Greencliff is beyond that.
Spectacular views
Lynmouth to Watersmeet
Park in Lynmouth and follow the River Lyn upstream. You will soon leave Lynmouth and walk next to the beautiful river in a shady wooded valley up to Watersmeet House (be sure to keep an eye out for dippers which can often been seen along this stretch). Watersmeet House is a National Trust owned tea house and is a lovely spot for a refreshing drink or leisurely lunch.
From here you can either return the way you came, venture further up the river or turn north up the hill towards Countisbury and return to Lynmouth via the coastal path (it is quite exposed and on the side of a high cliff - not suitable if you don’t like heights).
Amongst nature
Baggy Point
Park at Baggy Point National Trust car park to the North West of Croyde and walk through the field to the rear of the car park, up to the top of Middleborough Hill. From here branch right towards the field boundary and follow signposts through the fields until you hit the southwest coast path. Here you will see stunning views of Woolacombe Beach and Morte Point Headland.
At this point turn left on the coast path and follow it around to Baggy Point and then back towards the car park. (The majority of this walk involves walking through land on which livestock are grazing so keeping dogs on a lead is recommended).
A gentle lakeside walk
Wistlandpound Reservoir
Park either at the discovery centre car park or further down the road at the Fisherman’s car park and simply follow the trail around the lake. Swimming for both humans and dogs is not permitted and dogs must be kept under control as cyclists can use the footpaths also.
James works at the Calvert Trust, the activity centre at the top of the hill, so Diego often likes to time his walks here so he can pop in and see daddy on his lunch break.
Bimble through the bluebells
Brownsham to Mouth Mill
Park at Brownsham National Trust car park and walk out onto the road through the hamlet of Brownsham and take the public bridleway down through the woods (the bluebells are beautiful in late April and May). At the fork in the tracks keep left and this will take you to Mouth Mill (some of the scenes from “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” were filmed here).
On the beach the dramatic Blackchurch Rock is well worth the scramble over the rocks at low tide. From here you can either return via a track on the other side of the valley, which joins up at the fork mentioned previously, or alternatively for a longer walk you can walk along the coast path to Clovelly.
A fabulous tea room
Valley of the Rocks
Park in the Valley of the Rocks car park and take the path east of the cricket ground. At the end of this path turn for a gentle stroll on a tarmacked path which comes out between Rugged Jack and Castle Rock. Mother Meldrums tea rooms is a lovely spot for lunch or a drink.
For an alternative walk turn right at the end of the path east of the cricket ground and this will take you around Hollerday Hill and into Lynton. It has lovely views of Lynmouth below and the imposing Foreland Point Headland. From Lynton there is a cliff railway to Lynmouth below (dogs are welcome on leads and there is a small charge for dogs).
Three short walks for all
Torrington Commons
3 short walks: 1. Park in the main car park in Torrington where many paths lead down the south facing slope to the River Torridge. The river can then be followed downstream past Taddiport Bridge to the Puffing Billy, a dog friendly cafe on the Tarka trail.
2. Park at the old bowling green which is on your right as you leave Torrington on the A386 to Bideford. Multiple paths will take you down into the valley to the north.
3. Park at the Puffin Billy on the Tarka Trail, walk along the old railway line which criss-crosses the River Torridge along this section. Dogs need to be kept on a lead or under close control as this is also a popular cycle trail.
Wander through the wooded valley
Heddons Mouth, Woody Bay & Trentishoe Down
Park in the National Trust car park at Heddons Mouth. For a more gentle and shorter walk take the well signposted routes that take you down one side of the valley, returning the other side. For a longer walk follow the upper carriageway path to Woody Bay and then return via the lower south west coast path.
From Heddons Mouth it is also possible to walk up the wooded valley to Trentishoe Down or like us if you are be feeling lazy, you may want to drive up. There are a number of car parks from which are some fairly gentle walks to the tops of either Trentishoe or Holdstone Hills.
Coastal path to a hidden gem
Bucks Mills to Peppercombe
Park in the main car park at Buck’s Mills and walk down through the pretty village. Just before the bottom of the village turn east onto the coast path towards Peppercombe. Follow the path through the woods until you reach Peppercombe Bothy.
At low tide the beach can be accessed from here and it is a real hidden gem. Most of the time you will have the beach to yourself!
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