Walk - Lee Bay Coastal Heathlands

4.2 miles (6.7 km)

Lee Car Park - EX34 8LR Lee Car Park

Challenging - Some marshy sections and steep inclines

This rewarding walk combines some of the best of the South West Coast Path in North Devon with woodland and windswept farmland surrounding ancient farms.

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.

North Morte Farm Caravan & Camping Park

Family run Caravan and Camping Park, set in beautiful, unspoilt countryside with direct access to the South West Coastal Park. 5 minute walk from the village of Mortehoe

Seascape Hideaways at Mortehoe

Park Cottage is your ultimate coastal escape and idyllic base from which to explore the Path and rugged Atlantic coast and beaches including Morte Point, Woolacombe and Putsborough.

The Buttery and Cromlech House

A family holiday home on North Devon's beautiful SWCP, in the heart of an amazing village with 3 great pubs. The Buttery (5 bedrooms) and Cromlech House (4 bedrooms).

Warcombe Farm Camping Park

Warcombe is a family run campsite with direct access to the SW Coast Path we have excellent facilities and secluded pitches. We're dog friendly too!

Lee Bay Bothy

A traditional Devon Stone building adjoined to SWCP, 300 meters. a Bothy with a few added comforts.

Byron Woolacombe Holidays

Byron Woolacombe Holidays: Chic self-catering apartments, a stones throw from Woolacombe Beach and the South West Coast Path. Perfect for families, couples, and pets!

Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park

Accommodation and Camping in Woolacombe with a footpath to Woolacombe and the beach

Lee Meadow Farm Camping

Traditional campsite set in lovely countryside beside the Coast Path. Free hot showers, farm shop on site and bike hire. .

The Porthole

Cafe and take away kiosk, indoor & outdoor seating with panoramic beach views. Incredible food, coffee, drinks & ice cream. Open year round, check website for times.

Little Roadway Farm Camping Park, Woolacombe

Family-friendly campsite nestled on the edge of the beautiful North Devon coast. Glamping Pods, Caravans & Self Cottages also available. Shop

Sunnymead Farm Camping & Touring Site

Small friendly family run site, 4 AA Pennant, stunning views, dogs welcome FOC, hot showers, EHU's, large level pitches, play area, bus stop

The Devonian Guest House

The Devonian was built as a Gentleman's Victorian Residence in 1883 and is situated in its own acre of woodland and gardens.

Lundy House Hotel

Set on the cliffs of the North Devon coast between Mortehoe and Woolacombe we are a dog friendly BnB, offering 8 ensuite rooms and self catering options for longer stays.

Avoncourt Lodge

Simple light and airy B&B with full breakfast, ensuite baths, honesty bar and drying room on SW Coastal Pathway, Ilfracombe. Dog friendly

White Pebbles Backpackers

Budget backpacker camping right on the Path with toilet facilities. Fantastic views set within a beautiful long garden. Card or Cash payment accepted

Seacroft Ilfracombe

Elegant Grade 2 listed town house in quiet area 0.2 miles from Coast Path. Sleeps 6 in 3 double rooms. Comfy beds. All mod cons. Patio garden with BBQ. Close to shops.

High Ways Guest House

Coastal & Countryside Views, caters for any dietary requirements. Bus stop outside

Little Meadow Campsite

Small, uncommercial campsite situated above Watermouth Harbour just a few minutes walk from the Coast path. Beautiful views, hot showers and baked pastries every morning.

Ocean Backpackers

Quality independent hostel with large self catering kitchen, communal lounge and dining room. Private en-suite rooms and dorms. Open from April to November.

Varley House

An Edwardian Guest House with 7 en-suite rooms, built originally as a Rest Home for officers recuperating from the Boer war, hence the grandeur of our building

Parkdean Resorts Ruda Holiday Park

One of Devon’s best surfing spots nestled by the picturesque village of Croyde. Take your pick from cosy caravans and luxury lodges with hot tubs – there are even new look cottages and houses available.

Baggy's

Spacious 3 bedroom Lodge or stylish 1 bed Studio and Summer house with incredible views over Croyde Bay. Cafe and Surf school on site. Can sleep 8 adults and 5 children.

Freshwell Camping

Freshwell Camping is the ideal coastal campsite boasting full beach views from the site, offering basic tent pitches with hot showers and clean facilities

The Whiteleaf

A licensed bed & breakfast offering en-suite fully equiped rooms( some with balconies) and an award winning breakfast close to the footpath.
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.

The Old Schoolroom Craft Gallery

Contemporary Local Arts and crafts. Maps, books, art supplies, Ice cream, freshly ground coffee and delicious treats to takeaway, limited outdoor seating

Ilfracombe Aquarium

Consisting of Local Aquatic Exhibits, Pier Cafe & Gift Shop. Ilfracombe Aquarium prides itself on it's established reputation, quality of products & service.

The Thatch

Famous Inn in the centre of Croyde offering great food plus accommodation
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.

Mortehoe Museum

The Museum is housed in a former cart linhay barn. Much of the of the Parish’s rich heritage is recorded in the gallery upstairs where there are displays covering

Woolacombe Tourist Information

Check out all the information you need for enjoying the Woolacombe & Morthoe area at this award winning TIC.

Ezee Cabs of Woolacombe

Friendly, family run taxi company getting you around North Devon and beyond to help in your Path journey. Can also transport larger groups (up to 24).

Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre

Drop in to find all the information you need on things to do and places to visit in Ilfracombe.

Interactive Elevation

Route Description

This rewarding walk combines some of the best of the South West Coast Path in North Devon with woodland and windswept farmland surrounding ancient farms. Of particular interest are the coastal heathlands, where hardy plants such as gorse and heather survive battering from Atlantic weather and centuries of use by man to create a unique landscape.

  1. Start at the car park at Lee near the sea–front. Take the footpath that runs inland and follow it to the far end of a meadow. Go over a stile on the right, cross the meadow and over another stile into Borough Woods. Go over a footbridge and turn left following the stream through the woods for about a mile. After the stile, take the right hand path signed to Damage.
  2. Climb steeply until you reach a stile leading into a field which you then cross to a stile leading into a lane. Go straight over this to the steps in the bank and another stile. Make for the footpath sign high up over the far side behind the hedge. Go over the stile in the right hand corner of the field.
  3. Bear right and head for a gate with a footpath sign. Follow the yellow way-marker arrows through a marshy area between gorse and rocky outcrops. Where another footpath is joined, bear left to a low stone wall. Go through the small gate to the ancient Damage Barton Farm, which stands on the old road between Lee and Mortehoe.

The present building probably dates from the 16th or 17th century but there is evidence of an earlier, medieval building. Its stout walled construction may suggest fortification against attack.

  1. From Damage Barton turn right along a lane for about 500 metres, bearing left where a footpath forks right and then turn left over a stile. Follow the path along the edge of a field with a standing stone in it, then drop down and cross a foot-bridge over a small stream. Climb steeply up the other side until you reach a road. When you come out on the road, turn right and go into the private lane leading, after about half a mile, to Bull Point Lighthouse.

The lighthouse was built in 1879 in response to complaints from “clergy, ship owners, merchants and landowners” to the Trinity House Brethren asking for a lighthouse and stating that the “barbarous conduct of lawless wreckers caused much loss of life and property”.

  1. From Bull Point Lighthouse return along the Coast Path over the splendid cliffs and back to Lee. When the footpath meets the road, turn left into the lane and continue downhill towards the cove car park.

Public transport

Limited bus service from Ilfracombe to Lee (DevonBus 305). For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Lee Bay (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX34 8LR).

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