Walk - Lynmouth / Lynton to Combe Martin

13.7 miles (22.0 km)

Lynmouth / Lynton Combe Martin

Challenging - Strenuous. An easy start on tarmac to Castle Rock. There are some challenging climbs, including reaching the summit of Great Hangman - which at 1,043 feet (318 m) is the highest point of the South West Coast Path.

An easy start on tarmac to Castle Rock turns to grassy clifftops, which then lead to the spectacular rock formations of The Valley of Rocks. This is part of R. D. Blackmore’s Lorna Doone territory and the landscape is so extraordinary that legend has explained its origin as the acts of the Devil. From here there are some challenging climbs, including reaching the highest point of the South West Coast Path, and lovely views along beautiful stretches following the edge of the land, away from civilisation.

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Safety advice

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Martinhoe Cleave Cottages

01598 753987
Three lovely cottages within Exmoor National Park close to the SW Coast Path and the dramatic moorland and coastal scenery of north Devon
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Marlyn B&B

07952 244874

We've three en-suites with fine bedding, good food, views and 3 nearby pubs. Parking and coast road buses for break days and longer stays.

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Stowford Farm Meadows

01271 882476
Stowford Farm Meadows is a superb family friendly camping & caravan site, from which to explore the best of North Devon. Indoor Swimming Pool
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Heddon's Gate Hotel

01598 763481

Heddon's Gate is hidden in trees on the east side of the Heddon Valley, just above the old carriage drive. Absolute seclusion,wonderful food and a warm welcome.

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Longmead House

01598 752523
Our elegant Victorian house offers comfort walkers will appreciate, easy access to the Valley of Rocks and the Coast Path and free parking
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The Denes Guest House

01598 753573

The Denes offer locally sourced food and comfortable en-suite bedrooms, facilities to dry outdoor gear and a selection of maps. Books, DVDs and board games for relaxation.

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Gable Lodge Guest House

01598 752367

Family run guest house offering family friendly bed and breakfast accommodation. Freshly prepared evening meals using local produce.

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South View Guest House

01598753728
We look forward to welcoming you to our newly refurbished & upgraded Edwardian Guest House. Ideally located for pubs, restaurants, shops and the spectacular North Devon Coast Path.
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Sinai House

01598 753227

AA 4 Star Silver rating accommodation with incredible sea views, offering peace and tranquillity. "Where Exmoor meets the Sea". Ideally located for the South West Coast Path.

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The Crown Hotel

01598 752253

A warm welcome awaits at the Crown Hotel, originally a coaching inn. Located in the heart of Lynton, a quiet base to explore N.Devon's rugged coastline. One night stays and dogs welcome.

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St Vincent Guest House

0781 131 3850

Beautiful grade II Georgian B&B in the heart of Lynton, minutes from the coastal path. Packed lunch by arrangement & all diets catered for.

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The North Cliff Hotel

01548 752 357

"Right on the SW Coast Path, soon to be refurbished. Families & groups welcome, dog friendly, drying room, lounge, bar, dinner, a terrace with amazing coastal views and free parking.

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Orchard House Hotel

01598 753247

Friendly, homely atmosphere. Full English breakfast, licensed bar, kit drying, luggage transfers,single occupancy reductions,walking parties welcome as well as pets & children

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The Old Sea Captains House

01598 753369
Set against the mouth of the East Lyn River, the Captain’s House offers an ideal base from which to explore the Exmoor and North Devon coastline.
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Blair Lodge

01271 882294

Quiet location overlooking the bay. 100m gentle walk from the Path, beach, pubs and shops. Evening meals available. Comfy Bar. Wifi. Parking. Tel: 01271 882294

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Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park

01271 882 563

Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park offers a haven of peace in a picturesque valley, including a woodland walk and natural surroundings for children to roam free and the best sea views in North Devon. Clubhouse with restaurant and bar on-site.

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Mellstock House B&B

01271 882592
A free pick up/drop off service is available to the Coast Path, we offer boot trays, drying room, laundry service, packed lunches, cosy bar and evening meals. All our rooms are en-suite and have TV/DVD, tea/coffee etc with free WIFI.
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Newberry Beach Lodge

01271 833709

A pebbles throw from the award winning Newberry & Combe Martin beaches, local pubs and cafes. Enjoy a soak in a roll-top bath after a day's walking!

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Channel Vista Guest House

+441271883514

This friendly, hikers' haven is open Feb-Dec. By SWCP, beaches & amenities. Free Wifi & Parking; Conservatory Bar; Laundry & Drying

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What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Lynton and Lynmouth TIC

01598 752225
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Countisbury from Lynton. Photographer Ted Forman, Warlingham, Surrey 2.7 castle rock.jpg Heddons Valley. Photographer Emma Barrett, Gosport On Top of Great Hangman Photographer Mike Speke (2012 Photo Competition entry) view inland from Holdstone Down Photographer ms mary chapman (2012 Photo Competition entry) near sw coast path cuddycleave wood lee bay Photographer ms mary chapman (2012 Photo Competition entry) View West from Peter Rock Valley leading to Heddon's Mouth. Photographer Mike Mayor Near Heddon's Mouth 'Inspiration'. The view towards Combe Martin fron Peter Rock. Photographer Ian Killick, Somerset. Distant Lundy Island from the cliffs above Heddons Mouth, North Devon. Photographer David Rowlatt, Devon. Castle Rock, Valley of the Rocks. Photographer Emma Barrett, Gosport. Looking down from the Lynton/Lynmouth Cliff Railway. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton. Lynmouth Harbour. Photographer Jaap Gaasenbeek. The Coast Path to the east of Lynmouth looking to Foreland Point. Photographer Jonathan Combe, Surrey. Lynmouth Outlet. Photographer Fay Mackenzie, Somerset. Lynton to Lynmouth Cliffside Railway. Photographer James Gale, Bedford. Valley of Rocks and baby feral goat, Lynton, North Devon. Photographer Shirley Turner, Minehead. Show me the way..taken just out of Coombe Martin near the Sandycove Hotel Photographer Abigail Smith (2012 Photo Competition entry) View towards Woody Bay from Valley of Rocks. N Devon. Photographer Simon Hubbard, Exeter. Valley of the Rocks near Lynton in North Devon Photographer Sebastian Wasek (2012 Photo Competition entry) Heather and gorse on The Great Hangman, looking towards The Little Hangman. Photographer Elizabeth Harris, Penzance. I can see for miles Photographer Mike Speke (2012 Photo Competition entry) After Heddon Mouth. Photographer A C Sparkes Woody Bay.jpg Lee Abbey and Castle Rock from Wringapeak .jpg Brose at Heddon's Mouth. Photographer A C Sparkes Woody Bay looking towards Lynton,North Devon. Photographer Audrey Rowlatt, Devon. Combe Martin Bandstand Photographer Rob Kendall (2012 Photo Competition entry) Lester Point and Little Hangman, Combe Martin. Photographer Stephen Coombes, Torquay. Cobweb after the rain. August Great Hangman near Combe Martin. Photographer John Franklin, Burton-on-Trent. View towards Woody Bay from Valley of the Rocks, N Devon. Photographer Simon Hubbard, Exeter. Family at Valley of Rocks, Lynton View from South Cleave to Lee Bay, Valley of the Rocks. Photographer Stephen Coombes, Torquay Looking down on Woody Bay from the SWCP,North Devon. Photographer Ann Fuller,Somerset. Lee Abbey, Lynton.jpg Lynmouth harbour. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton. The Valley of the Rocks. Photographer Itai Segall, Tel Aviv, Israel. Valley of Rocks Lynmouth Swell Photographer Bob Small (2013 Photo Competition entry) Valley of the Rocks, N.Devon Photographer Chris Parker (2012 Photo Competition entry) View at Lynton/Lynmouth. Photographer Jaap Gaasenbeek Lynmouth. Photographer Bella Griffiths, Somerset. DSC_3459.jpg Lynton to Lynmouth Cliff Railway, North Devon. Photographer Shirley Turner, Minehead. Lynton and Lynmouth. Photographer Shirley Farrar, Weymouth. A Long Way To Go Photographer Pete Aighton (2012 Photo Competition entry) Great Hangman from Little Hangman. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton. Little Hangman, after the tiring climb of Great Hangman. Photographer Brian Coward, Somerset. The Glorious Path Photographer Andrew Paul (2012 Photo Competition entry) Summer colours in August. Gorse and Heather. Taken on Great Hangman near Combe Martin. Photographer Sylvia Franklin, Burton-on-Trent. Down to Combe Martin, Great Hangman and Little Hangman. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • Rounding a corner to see Castle Rock towering above Wringcliff Bay as the Path enters the famous Valley of Rocks.
  • The jagged tor known as Rugged Jack. Local legend has it that some Druids were inappropriately dancing here on a Sunday and were turned to stone by the Devil.
  • Taking in the breathtaking views of Exmoor, the Welsh coast and Lundy from the highest point on the South West Coast Path: Great Hangman standing at 1043 feet.
  • The hanging oakwoods around Woody Bay, protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to Red Deer and a wide variety of birds.
  • Enjoying the many cliff top flowers, especially the abundance of bluebells, campions, violets, celandines and primroses present in the springtime.
  • Searching for the herd of feral goats that inhabit the cliffs.
  • Hollow Brook: one of the highest waterfalls in Britain which drops 200 metres to the sea.
  • The fantastic names of rock formations such as Rugged Jack and the Devil’s Cheesewring, home to R. D. Blackmore’s Mother Meldrum.
  • The sense of achievement on reaching the village of Combe Martin after the many steep ascents and descents of the day.

Shorter option

As this is a challenging walk (particularly the steep climb up to Great Hangman from Sherrycombe near the end of the walk)  many people stay in Heddon's Mouth roughly half-way along, where is a selection of accommodation and a pub.

A large part of the Heddon valley is owned by the National Trust and so there are a range of scenic walks and places to explore if you have time to linger.

Longer option

Continue to Ilfracombe (an additional 5.3 miles, 8.6 km).

Public transport

Taunton is the nearest mainline railway station. You can catch the number 300 bus from here to Minehead, but there is currently no direct service from Minehead to Lynton . The number 309 bus runs between Lynton and Barnstaple and the 301 between Barnstaple and Combe Martin. For further details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608.

Parking

Lynton (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX35 6BT), above Lee Bay, above Woody Bay, the valley of Heddon’s Mouth, Trentishoe Down and Combe Martin.

Section 3: Lynmouth / Lynton to Combe Martin

Starts 21 miles (34 km) from Minehead

Ends 598 miles (962 km) to Poole

Previous section in South West Coast Path Porlock Weir to Lynmouth / Lynton

Next section in South West Coast Path Combe Martin to Woolacombe

Local maps and publications

Nearby Events

  • North Coast 100

    Friday & Saturday October 2-3 2020. Combe Martin, North Devon

    Join us for an adventure along the true North coast of the South West peninsula. More info.

       

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