Countisbury circular walk via Winston's Path
Follow this short trail near the North Devon coast for far-reaching views of the Bristol Channel, the East Lyn Valley and the Exmoor hills. The route incorporates Winston's Path, a hillside track named after Winston Singleton who was Warden of Watersmeet for 34 years and built the path in the 1970s. Stop off along the way to see Wind Hill Iron Age fort, said to be the site of a famous battle between the Saxons and Vikings.
Near to
WatersmeetStart point
Barna Barrow car park, grid ref: SS744497Trail information
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Barna Barrow car park, grid ref: SS744497
Stage 1
Walk up through Barna Barrow car park towards the Bristol Channel. At the top of the car park, turn left and follow the grassy path to the right of a wall. When the path forks, take the left-hand route until you reach the finger post. From here you can enjoy extensive views across to Lynton and Lynmouth. Look across to Countisbury Church and aim for the pedestrian gate which is at the right-hand side of the churchyard wall. Go through the gate and through the churchyard.
Stage 2
Next to the Exmoor Bunkhouse take the path to the right, signposted 'Lynmouth Watersmeet', and go through the metal gate. Follow the path across the field to the wooden gate. Go through the gate and walk a little way down to the finger post and follow the path for Winston's Footpath to Watersmeet.
Stage 3
At this fingerpost, turn to your left along the path signed 'Winstons Footpath Watersmeet'. This path is named after Winston Singleton, who was Warden of Watersmeet for 34 years and built the path in the 1970s. As this path climbs and follows the contours around the hillside there are panoramic views stretching from the Bristol Channel, across to Wind Hill and Myrtleberry North hillforts and over to Brendon Common to the east.
Stage 4
Follow the path through a gate and down some steps into an area of oak woodland that stretches down the hill to your right, all the way to the East Lyn River. When you come to the four-finger signpost turn left, following the sign for Countisbury. Follow the steep grassy path through the gorse, up into the field on Trilly Ridge. Stop to enjoy the 360-degree views from the waymark post along the way.
Stage 5
Walk across the field to the top right corner to a signpost showing 'Countisbury'. Go through the field gate and walk straight along the green track back towards Countisbury, through a couple more gates until you reach the main road. Carefully cross the road and turn left and retrace your steps along the lane to the right, through the churchyard and across the cliff tops back to the Barna Barrow car park.
End point
Barna Barrow car park, grid ref: SS744497
Trail map
Countisbury circular walk via Winston's Path circular walk, Watersmeet, Devon | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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