Walk - Saunton Sands Hotel - Baggy Point

2.3 miles (3.8 km)

National Trust Car Park, Baggy Point National Trust Car Park, Baggy Point

Easy - Easy - Gently sloping walk out to Baggy Point and back. An alternative route back includes a short steep climb. The first section, on the lower path out to the tip of Baggy Point, is suitable for people with impaired mobility or with a pushchair and can be followed in reverse for the return journey.

A short easy walk out to the tip of Baggy Point and back again, taking in spectacular views of the coastline towards Bideford Bay and Hartland. Children will love the whale bones and the old wreck post, as well as the rocks and cliffs. A good walk in spring, when seabirds nest on the cliff among the clumps of pink thrift and spotted white sea campion and the gorse bushes are ablaze. In autumn the migrant birds gathering ready for their journey south sometimes attract the attention of a predatory merlin or peregrine, sometimes even a hen harrier.

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.

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

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.

Breakers B&B

Beach-side B&B only 1 minute from the Coast Path, with stunning ocean views, comfortable en-suite rooms and a warm welcome after a long day's walk.

The Whiteleaf

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

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.

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!

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

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).

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.

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

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!

Silver Cottage B&B

A charming cottage with two double bedrooms, shower room, and sitting room with kitchen area. No extra charge for single occupancy, or single night stays.

The Skyeloft

Cosy but modern, self-contained tiny house just 5 mins walk from Braunton. Double bed+ sofa bed, shower room, microwave, kettle, toaster, outdoor space. Ideal stayover!

The Den

Quirky, modern Den a few minutes walk from the centre of Braunton. Lovely bed and bathroom, microwave, toaster and kettle.

Trojen Bed & Breakfast

Relax in our B and B situated half a mile from Coastal Path in a quiet cul de sac in Braunton. Private lounge/ diner and super King ensuite with views of estuary to Appledore

Lee Meadow Farm Camping

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

Bennings B&B

Friendly, family run B&B. Double and twin rooms, both en suite. No charge for Wi-Fi. Great location and generous breakfast for your next day's walk!
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.

Biffen's Kitchen

Discover the taste of Surf-Inspired Street Food this summer at Biffen’s Kitchen. From Katsu curry to caribbean jerk, we have something to everyone. Open Easter - October. All Day.

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.

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).

Woolacombe Tourist Information

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

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

Interactive Elevation

Route Description

From the Saunton Sands hotel take the Croyde Road into the village of Croyde. In the middle of the village as the main road forks to the right, take the left-hand fork along Jones’s Hill. Take the next road to the left and drive along Moor Lane past the large campsite. The National Trust Car Park is almost at the end of the road on your right. Non-National Trust members will need to pay the carpark fee.

You can combine this walk with the Croyde and Saunton Down walk for a challenging day of glorious North Devon scenery.

  1. From the National Trust Car Park follow the Coast Path westwards along a road towards Baggy Point.

As you pass the last houses on the side of the path are some preserved bones from a whale that got washed up on the beach many years ago.

  1. Continue onwards through the gate and past the memorial to Henry Williamson, the author of “Tarka the Otter”, and follow the lower path to the left.

This lower path is suitable for people with impaired mobility or with a pushchair and can be followed in reverse for the return journey. There are spectacular views over towards Bideford Bay and Hartland Point and the steep slopes are smothered in wildflowers, gorse, and heather in late spring and summer.

At the end of the headland, there is a level viewing area and this is a good spot to watch out for breeding seabirds, including both cormorants and shags. The cliffs here are also very popular with climbers and have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their geological interest. Features including wave-cut platforms and raised beaches can be seen.

  1. From the viewpoint, take the path that leads steeply upwards for a short distance to a plateau where you will find a seat to catch your breath. At the top of the hill, take the path leading northwards towards a tall, white wooden post with steps on the side.

This is a particularly well-preserved example of a ‘wreck post’, left over from the days when lifesaving crews practiced rescues with a breeches buoy. This technique was used when the sea was too rough to launch a lifeboat and the lifesaving team had to stay on the beach or cliffs. Providing the shipwreck was near enough to shore the rescuers used a small cannon to fire a double line and pulley to the ship. The sailors on the ship tied their end of the line to the mast while the lifesavers attached the other end to a frame anchored in the ground and then sent the breeches buoy (a harness that could carry a person) along the rope to the ship. A sailor from the sinking ship climbed into the breeches buoy and could be pulled to shore. Then back the breeches buoy would go for the next rescue. The wreck post was used to represent the mast of a wrecked ship.

  1. Continuing on past the wreck post you reach the highest part of Baggy Point, and from where the view opens up across Morte Bay to Woolacombe and Morte Point. Retrace your steps back past the wreck post to the fingerpost on the corner of the wall, and then take the farm track leading off to the left back down to the car park.

As you look over the fields of Croyde Hoe Farm you can see WWII dummy pillboxes which were used by the American troops training for D-day.

To drive back to the Saunton Sands Hotel reverse the directions at the beginning of the walk.

Public transport

Bus Service Stagecoach South West 21A from Barnstaple and Braunton to Croyde. For timetable information visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

National Trust Car Park, Baggy Point

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