North Devon
We help to look after 90 beautiful miles of the South West Coast Path (SWCP) in North Devon.
Most of this section faces out over the Bristol Channel, offering lofty coastal vistas from places like Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Lee Bay and Morthoe. The golden sands of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands lie beyond, offering some of the region’s best surfing. From there discover Braunton Burrows, one of the largest sand dune systems in the British Isles, located in the heart of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and part of the North Devon UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve.
In the centre of the North Devon stretch is the large joint estuary of the Taw and Torridge Rivers, flanked by areas of sand dunes and marshland. The SWCP follows old railway lines around the estuary, crossing the rivers at the towns of Barnstaple and Bideford. The stretch beyond this demonstrates the SWCP’s unique role in linking up coastal communities in places like Appledore, Instow, Bideford, Westward Ho! and the quirky fishing village of Clovelly. The section culminates with one of the great defining headlands on the SWCP, Hartland Point. Here the Path changes from heading east to west, to north to south. It’s character changes with brooding cliffs behind jagged fingers of rock stretching into the Atlantic Ocean.
Check out local Tourist Information Centres and Walking Guides in North Devon
Our work in the area
Find local Way Maker Businesses
All our Way Makers help us look after the Path, so supporting them means you'll be helping too.
Tourist Information Centres
To find even more free information about visiting this area, check out the local Tourist Information Centres.