Walk - Hartland Point short walk

1.6 miles (2.5 km)

Hartland Point Car Park - EX39 6DU Hartland Point Car Park

Easy - Some uneven ground and inclines

A rumbustious romp through Hartland's rich heritage, from the Early Stone Age through Celtic saints, Saxon settlements, medieval monasteries and Tudor adventurers, to pirates, smugglers and a twentieth century lighthouse. The coastal grasslands are rich in wildlife and the spectacular cliffs and rocks are of international geological importance.

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.

West Titchberry Farm

Welcoming B&B conveniently situated for the Path. Evening meal & packed lunches on request. Pick up/drop off available. Call 01237 441287 for bookings

Cheristow Farm Cottages

Coastal country, dog-friendly, farm cottages sleeping 2-6 with hot tub and sauna. 1.5 miles from the Path. Near Hartland Quay. Lifts arranged.

Quincecote

A relaxed friendly warm welcome awaits walkers. Sel-catering double room annexe with own entrance or Shepherd's Hut (sleeps 2). Breakfasts and list by prior arrangement

Hartland Quay Hotel, Hartland

On the edge of the Atlantic ocean, the Hartland Quay Hotel and Wreckers Retreat Bar provides refuge and refreshment for tired walkers!

Stoke Barton Farm Campsite

Set 1/2 mile from the Path, we offer camping and full facilities incl.Taxi available to the nearest shops. 2 Pixie Huts with king size sprung beds

Little Barton Hartland Cottage & Farmhouse

20 mins walk from the Path at Spekes Mill, Hartland, Little Barton Farmhouse sleeps 10. Cottage sleeps up to 6. The Cottage can be booked for 2 people, for 2 nights or more

Hartland Caravan Holidays

Bespoke interior designed caravans.Bed linen & towels provided. 2min walk to shops, cafe & pubs.Single night stays welcome. Lifts to path on request. Outside doggy showers.

Gawlish Farm B&B

B&B and Self Catering. Single Night Stays. Hearty locally sourced breakfast. Camping available from 2025. Contact [email protected]

Fosfelle Country House Glamping and Cottages

Fosfelle Cottages, Camping and Glamping. Perfect for those who want to stay within easy access of the coastal path with its easy access to Hartland, Clovelly and Bude.

Philham Holiday Lets

Rural, warm comfortable self-catering accommodation 3 miles from Hartland Quay. Each with wi-fi, tv, towels, linen and fully equipped kitchen & washer dryer

West Welsford Wild Camping

Basic camping on cornish dairy farm. 2 miles from the coast. Great views.

Roeys Retreat Campsite

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

Hartland Point Refreshment Kiosk

A welcome Refreshment stop - fresh coffee, tea, soft drinks, light bites, snacks, ice creams etc.

Docton Mill Gardens and Tea Rooms

Located in a delightful sheltered courtyard. Famous for cream-teas and also offer a selection of filled rolls, crab, salmon, beef, cheese and a variety of homemade cakes

Interactive Elevation

Route Description

  1. From Hartland Point Car Park (where there is a small charge for parking) walk past the interpretation board which explains some background to the area. Follow the track towards the gates of Hartland Point Lighthouse.

Access is no longer available along the road beyond the gates due to the frequency of rock falls but there are some good views of the lighthouse from the walk further on.

  1. Follow the Coast Path up the concrete steps to the Coastguard Lookout that is no longer manned but houses electronic surveillance equipment.

By walking along the narrow path around the Lookout you can reach a viewpoint with an interpretation board which gives further details of the wreck of the Joanna which came aground in 1982, and of Hartland Point Lighthouse, built in 1874.

  1. Continue around the Lookout back to the Coast Path. Head south and after 300 metres you will find a memorial stone to those who died following the sinking by torpedo of the Glenart Castle Hospital ship 20 miles from Hartland Point on 26th February 1918.
  2. After a further 600 metres there is a good view along "Smoothlands".

This valley was formed before the coast had eroded to its current position. The Abbey River used to flow along the bottom of the valley but as the coastline receded each end of the valley was cut off to form a "sea-dissected valley". It is an unusual feature in our landscape and many students visit the area to study the classic landforms of this section of coast. You will soon spot a lone caravan in the bottom of the valley; a caravan has been at this location since before the area was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1959.

  1. At the bottom of the valley cross the stile and follow the path inland towards Blagdon Farm. Join the track to the left of the caravan and after one field you will see an area of woodland/scrub on the right which once contained a large medieval fishpond, although there is now little evidence that this valley bottom was once flooded.
  2. Further up the track keep left towards Blagdon at the junction. When walking through Blagdon Farm please respect the fact that this is a working farm. Beyond the farm buildings you will arrive back at the entrance track to the car park.

Public transport

For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Hartland Point Car Park (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX39 6DU).

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