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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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

07866 876673
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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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 Orchard Bothy

03448 002070
Heddon Bothy is a simple, basic four person hideaway. Bring your cooking and sleeping equipment. This is indoor camping for adventurers.
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Exmoor Coast Holidays

01598 753967
Campsite on working Cider Farm, Shop, off Licence, Restaurant and Bar
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The Fox & Goose Inn

01598 763239
Local Ales Good Food Cosy Rooms ...and a warm welcome await you at this proper Exmoor inn.
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Nutcombe Holiday Cottages

01271 889379
Three dog friendly, barn conversions sleeping 2-6 (14 in total). Quiet and peaceful location with parking, stunning views, luxury showers, WiFi and enclosed gardens
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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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West Challacombe Bothy

03448 002070
A remote bothy near a dramatic part of the South West Coast Path, on the edge of the Exmoor National Park. 4 Guests/1 Bedroom/2 Dogs
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South View Guest House

01598 753728
Small and friendly Edwardian B&B in the heart of Lynton adjacent to the SWCP. Quiet rooms, comfy beds and hearty English breakfast.
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North Walk House

01598 751010
Right on SWCP,friendly,homely atmosphere.Full English,bar,dinner,packed lunch, GF,DF,VE,V,adults only,groups,no dogs,luggage transfer,terrace,wi-fi,some parking
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The North Cliff Hotel

01598 752357
Right on SWCP, friendly,homely atmosphere.Full English,dinner,packed lunches,GF,DF,VE,V,bar,drying room,luggage transfer,families,groups,dogs,EVcharger,parking
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Sinai House

01598 753227
4 Star 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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Lynmouth Holiday Retreats

01598 753349

Set in a truly picturesque part of the country; the Exmoor National Park has stunning views from almost every pitch on the park you can admire the view

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East Lyn House

01598 752540
Bed and Breakfast accommodation, with terrace overlooking the river and down to the sea
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Pack O Cards

01271 882300
Grade2**listed ancient monument offering comfortable, modern accommodation. King size beds, enduite showers.. Varied menu.
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Sea Stone

01271 649987
Sea Stone - Premium Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Combe Martin, offering spacious en-suite rooms with superb sea views.
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Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park

01271 882563
A haven of peace in a picturesque valley, including a woodland walk and natural surroundings for children to roam free and amazing sea views. Clubhouse with restaurant & bar on-site.
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Newberry Beach Lodge

01271 883709

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

01271 883514
This friendly, hikers' haven is open Feb-Nov. By SWCP, beaches & amenities. Free Wifi & Parking; Conservatory Bar; Laundry & Drying
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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

ONDA Gelato

Independent artisan gelato and locally roasted coffee on Lynmouth Harbour, serving a range of delicious flavours, including vegan options.

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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 & Lynmouth Tourist Information Centre

01598 753313
Information on where to stay, local food and drink, festivals and events and things to do in these picturesque twin villages on the edge of Exmoor.
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Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre, Lynmouth

01598 752509
Discover walking routes and information on places to visit in the Exmoor area
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Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre & Museum

01271 889031
Discover local history and join in with fun events - including dressing up as a pirate. Coast Path stamping point.
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Countisbury from Lynton. Photographer Ted Forman, Warlingham, Surrey 2.7 castle rock.jpg Heddons Valley. Photographer Emma Barrett, Gosport view inland from Holdstone Down Photographer ms mary chapman (2012 Photo Competition entry) On Top of Great Hangman Photographer Mike Speke (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 '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. Valley leading to Heddon's Mouth. Photographer Mike Mayor Near Heddon's Mouth Castle Rock, Valley of the Rocks. Photographer Emma Barrett, Gosport. Lynmouth Harbour. Photographer Jaap Gaasenbeek. Looking down from the Lynton/Lynmouth Cliff Railway. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton. Lynmouth Outlet. Photographer Fay Mackenzie, Somerset. Lynton to Lynmouth Cliffside Railway. Photographer James Gale, Bedford. The Coast Path to the east of Lynmouth looking to Foreland Point. Photographer Jonathan Combe, Surrey. 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. After Heddon Mouth. Photographer A C Sparkes I can see for miles Photographer Mike Speke (2012 Photo Competition entry) Brose at Heddon's Mouth. Photographer A C Sparkes Lee Abbey and Castle Rock from Wringapeak .jpg Woody Bay looking towards Lynton,North Devon. Photographer Audrey Rowlatt, Devon. Woody Bay.jpg 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) DSC_3459.jpg View at Lynton/Lynmouth. Photographer Jaap Gaasenbeek Lynmouth. Photographer Bella Griffiths, Somerset. 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

  • Exmoor Route Improvement - Cobblers Park, Combe Martin - There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP. More details.
  • Exmoor Route Improvement - Lee Abbey - There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP. More details.

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

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