Walk - Westward Ho! to Cornborough Cliffs

Walk information provided with help from Natural England. Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2025. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.

Difficulty: Easy
This 1 mile long section of old railway line has been improved to make it possible for the elderly, very young and wheelchair users to experience this scenic part of the Coast Path.
Start: Westward Ho! - EX39 1JS
Finish: Westward Ho!
Length: 1.5 miles (2.5 km)
Summary: An easy walk from the outskirts of Westward Ho! along an old railway line to a viewing point on Cornborough Cliffs offering spectacular views across Bideford Bay towards Clovelly and Hartland Point. A good walk in spring, when the sea breezes whip the waves into white horses, seabirds nest among clumps of pink thrift on cliff ledges and stonechats call from bushes laden with blossom. Also good in autumn, when the noisy migrant birds start gathering in the bushes, ready to leave, and the gorse and heather are vivid in the heathland.
Public Transport: You can reach Westward Ho! by bus approximately every ½ hour from Barnstaple and Bideford. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.
Nearest car park: Westward Ho! (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX39 1JS).
Nearest toilets: Westward Ho! (disabled) at start/end of walk.
Nearest refreshments: There are a number of cafes in Westward Ho!

Route Description

The path starts at the car park at the western end of Westward Ho!, and heads westwards along an old railway line.

This railway was part of the short lived Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway which was opened in 1901 and closed in 1917 when its rolling stock was requisitioned for the war effort.

The first half of the walk has a tarmac finish, resulting in a smooth hard surface very safe for children, elderly walkers, pushchairs and wheelchairs.

The second part has a hoggin surface and is left unsealed, yet it is still relatively smooth and safe and very user-friendly.

On this section there are great views northwards across to the rolling surf breaking on Braunton Sands and Baggy Point beyond.

As the path swings south, a new view opens up across Bideford Bay to Clovelly and the cliffs near Hartland Point.
The walk ends at a viewpoint, where the old railway turns inland (and is private) and the Coast Path descends down to Green Cliff and beyond.

Work is planned to improve the access along Westward Ho! seafront, provide further seating along the route, safe viewing points and specialist sensory interpretation providing information for sighted and partially sighted visitors.

Nearby refreshments

There are a number of cafes in Westward Ho!

If you spot any problems or changes to this walk please email the details to [email protected] so we can get it fixed for those that follow in your footsteps.