Walk - Westward Ho! to Clovelly

11.1 miles (17.9 km)

Westward Ho! - EX39 1LQ Clovelly

Challenging -

Follow the easy route along the old railway track up on to the cliffs above Westward Ho! The Coast Path then begins to zigzag and rollercoaster making for some strenuous walking. Woodland paths along the second half of the route contrast with the open cliff tops at the beginning of the day.

The path continues above the village of Clovelly, but if you have had enough walking, Clovelly is a truly beautiful and fascinating place to end the day. A historic fishing village with its links to smuggling and wrecking, it is here that Charles Kingsley found inspiration for his children’s classic The Water Babies and the village has featured in many T.V. programmes and films such as the 1990 version of the classic Treasure Island, starring Charlton Heston as Long John Silver and Oliver Reed as Captain Billy Bones.

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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.

Peppercombe Bothy

0344 800 2070

Comfortably sleeping up to four guests, Peppercombe Bothy is a very basic stone dwelling benefiting from wonderful views to Bideford Bay and close proximity to the famous South West Coast Path.

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Westacott Farm Camping

01237 472351/ 07900597047

Westacott Farm Camping backpacker £10 pppn - free hot showers to help ease those tired feet - fully equipped kitchen & laundry facilities

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Harbour View Cottage

01237 432215

A beautiful cottage offering the only B & B in Clovelly's traffic free High Street on the route of the SWCP. Packed lunches, laundry facilities & evening meal by arrangement.

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The New Inn, Clovelly

01237431303

A historic pub half-way down Clovelly's world-famous cobbled street. Offering comfortable accommodation, home-cooked food, and a great range of locally-sourced drinks.

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Slerra Hill Bed and Breakfast

07791465159

Home from home accommodation perfectly situated for those walking the SWCP. Situated above the unique village of Clovelly walkers are assured of a warm welcome.

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The Old Smithy B&B

01237 431202

Walkers are welcomed into our friendly, family run B & B. All rooms are en-suite. Enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep & home cooked breakfast prior to continuing your walk.

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Moreton House

01237 425519

Self catering holiday apartments located within a stately home sleeping from 2 - 10 people. Group bookings available.

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Roeys Retreat Campsite

07551 008297

On-site Shop, Facilities, Children's Area, Dogs Welcome, Pizza Oven & Fire Pits to use. Coming 2025 2 x Yurts

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Baker's Cottage

07783037863.

A relaxing, hideaway cottage in town with restaurants, pubs, shops & quayside nearby. Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms. Space on deck for bicycles. Luggage drop-off available.

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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.

Red Lion Hotel

01237 431237

18th Century Inn on the Harbour. Locally caught fish from the Bay including Lobster. 3 Dog-friendly rooms. Single Nights Stays Welcome

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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.

Old Pound Smithy

01237 431316

Blacksmith Courses in an off-grid traditional smithy, tailored entirely towards providing the ultimate blacksmithing experience, using original 19th Century bellows.

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BPS Taxis

01237 432215

taxi service

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Highlights

The views from the top of Cornborough and Abbotsham Cliffs above Westward Ho! looking northwards to Braunton Sands and Baggy Point.

Having a picnic by the stream at Peppercombe. There are many woodland plants inhabiting Peppercombe Valley, such as sweet woodruff and wood millet. If you feel like exploring the valley further you will find betony, orchids and ragged robbin, well-loved by butterflies.

Although prominently marked on the map there are now few visible signs of the Iron Age hill fort known as Peppercombe Castle. But about 2 miles further along, just before you enter the woods and start the steep descent down to the village, the Path passes through the remains of Bucks Mills defensive earthworks.

Views of Bideford Bay and Lundy from Buck’s Mill Cove. Here you will find projecting from the cliff face the remains of a limekiln which is said to have operated from 1760-1860, using limestone and coal imported from South Wales.

Winding through the ancient, wild oakwoods beyond Peppercombe and emerging into fields on the cliff tops with wonderful views of the bay.

Walking The Hobby Drive, built in the early 19th century, with glimpses through the trees of Bideford Bay and Clovelly harbour. Clovelly’s woodlands are nationally important for lichens and there are over 250 species here.

Walking the beautiful steep and cobbled streets of Clovelly and resting at the look-out to watch the boats and occasional falcon go by. In 'A Message from the Sea' (1892) by Charles Dickens the village of Clovelly is called Steepways: “The village was built sheer up the face of a steep and lofty cliff. There was no road in it, there was no wheeled vehicle in it, there was not a level yard in it … No two houses in the village were alike, in chimney, size, shape, door, window, gable, roof-tree, anything."

Public transport

National Express coach number 502 runs from Taunton to Barnstaple and First Great Western trains run regularly from Exeter to Barnstaple, where you can take the First North Devon bus number 1 to Westward Ho! via Bideford (running throughout the day every
30 minutes or so). For details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608.

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