Devon

Octavia Hill walk at Morte Point

This short walk around Morte Point gives you a chance to take in the dramatic geology and sweeping coastal views that Morte Point has to offer, in commemoration of Octavia Hill: one of the three founding members of the National Trust.

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Total steps: 5

Start point

Mortehoe village car park, grid ref: SS458453 (EX34 7DT)

Step 1

From the car park, turn left past the village shop. Take the lane on the right – between the church and The Ship Aground pub – signposted 'Coast Path'. Continue onto the National Trust path to Morte Point, keeping to the right of the cemetery and entering through the official gates onto Morte Point.

Morte Point

Morte Point was originally owned by the Chichester family, who spent happy summers on Woolacombe beach. Sir Bruce Chichester would sail his yacht into the bay and land shooting parties here. In 1908, Miss Chichester gave the tip of Morte Point to the National Trust in memory of her mother and father. In 1949 the rest of the point, land around Woolacombe and the family home at Arlington Court were also gifted to the Trust.

Step 2

Continue straight on, taking the broad grass track downhill. Turn left after 220yd (200m) to join a footpath that links to the coast path. The path will take you around Morte Point.

The Rawnsley connection

Sadly, little information remains about what inspired Miss Chichester to leave land to the Trust. At the time of her gift of Morte Point, we were a very young organisation with a low profile. However, there's a connection to Canon Hardie Rawnsley, one of the three founders of the National Trust, who used to pop in for tea with Miss Chichester when in the area. Rawnsley did indeed visit Morte Point, as it appears in his work A Nation's Heritage, published in 1920.

Step 3

When you reach the finger post follow the direction which says 'Mortehoe ¬Ω mile.'

Step 4

Continue up a gentle slope, keeping the old derelict wall on the left until you reach the point where you entered Morte Point.

The gateway to a national gift

These granite pillars were constructed by us to create a gateway to Morte Point. The inscription on the panel reads 'To the gracious lady who has dedicated (in memory of her mother and father) Morte Point to national use, the beautiful district of Woolacombe owes vastly for its modernity and prosperity; but for her latest act of benevolence she will earn the lasting gratitude not only of North Devonians but all who are familiar with the charms of Mortehoe and Woolacombe'.

Step 5

Take a minute to enjoy the views on the centenary bench before retracing your steps back to the Mortehoe village car park.

Take a centenary seat

Just above the gateposts, you'll find a semi-circular bench built by Ranger Rob Linskill as part of the centenary celebrations of the gift of Morte Point. In September 2009, the local community gathered here to have a picnic, play games and celebrate the gift of this unique place with the National Trust. As the original plaque says, it's easy to feel a lasting gratitude both to Miss Chichester for her gift and to the founders of the National Trust for their commitment to looking after special places, for everyone, for ever.

End point

Mortehoe village car park, grid ref SS 458453 (EX34 7DT)

Trail map

Map of Octavia Hill walk at Morte Point | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Woolacombe, Devon, EX34 7DL (Tourist Information)

01271870555

northdevon@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Octavia Hill walk at Morte Point

Total steps: 5