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Devon
In Devon, the Trust protects 111 miles of coast (55 per cent of the total Devon coast). This includes Foreland Point, Countisbury, the wooded valleys of Watersmeet and the beautiful stretch between Woody Bay and Combe Martin on the Exmoor coast.
The Trust also protects much of the coastal land between Ilfracombe and Croyde, including Morte and Baggy Points, between which extends a superb beach. At Bideford Bay, there are fine walks on the remote coastline between Abbotsham, Portledge and Buck’s Mills, and also further west at Brownsham and East Titchberry, Hartland and South Hole.
South Devon has an equally interesting coastline. From Bolt Tail to Overbeck’s near Salcombe run 6 miles of rugged Trust-owned cliffland, crossed by the coastal footpath, which dips to give access to safe bathing at Soar Mill Cove and Starehole Bay.
The area between Portlemouth Down and Prawle Point offers low cliffs with walks, views and sandy coves. The cliffs become more impressive again towards Gammon Head to the east.
The River Dart is a famous beauty spot, and the Trust protects several woods along the estuary, as well as coast on either side of the mouth at Little Dartmouth and between Kingswear and Southdown Cliff, near Brixham. To the east the Trust owns 3 miles of coastline between Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth and Branscombe.
The Trust also owns extensive areas in and around the Dartmoor National Park, including fine walking country in the Teign Gorge, between Whiddon Deer Park and Fingle Bridge, below Castle Drogo. Downstream are the spectacular hanging oak-woods at Steps Bridge. To the south, on the fringe of the National Park, is Parke Estate, with delightful walks along the River Bovey.
Near Buckfast are Holne Woods and Hembury Woods, in which there is an Iron Age hill-fort. Further west are Hentor, Willings Walls and Trowlesworthy Warren, on which there are also many archaeological sites, and the Dewerstone, a popular area for climbers. Nearer to Plymouth lie Plym Bridge Woods, interesting for their industrial archaeology.
Coast and countryside walks leaflets for Devon
Full-colour walks leaflets on coast and countryside properties in Devon are available, priced £1 each, from National Trust shops in the county or by post from the shop at Arlington Court, Barnstaple EX31 4LP, tel: 01271 851111. They include West Exmoor Coast, Watersmeet & Countisbury, Arlington, Killerton, Dartmouth, Salcombe, Castle Drogo and the Teign Valley, Bideford Bay to Welcombe Mouth, Wembury and Ayrmer Cove, and Ilfracombe to Croyde.
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Cornwall
In the far west of the area, the National Trust’s holdings in Cornwall amount to 9,900ha (over 24,500 acres). This includes 161 miles of one of Europe’s most spectacular coastlines (57 per cent of the total Cornish coast). There are magnificent walks throughout the county, many with breathtaking views.
On the north coast, notable stretches include 5 miles either side of Crackington Haven, much of Boscastle and the Valency Valley, The Rumps and Pentire headlands, Holywell Bay and the Kelseys, Wheal Coates and Chapel Porth, North Cliffs and Godrevy, and considerable stretches of the Penwith coast including Zennor Head and Cape Cornwall.
On the south coast, Trust land includes Porthcurno, Logan Rock and Penberth, Loe Pool and Gunwalloe, Kynance Cove and Lizard Point, key stretches of the Helford, Fal and Fowey estuaries, Nare Head, The Dodman and The Gribbin, and most of the coast from Polruan to Looe.
Significant inland estates include Godolphin, Lanhydrock, Ethy and Cotehele.
The Coast of Cornwall map-guides
The Coast of Cornwall series of 22 detailed map-guides, priced £1 each, covers the Trust’s extensive coastal ownership. The series is available from National Trust shops in the county or by post from the shop at Lanhydrock, Bodmin PL30 5AD, tel: 01208 265952:
1 Bude to Morwenstow; 2 Crackington Haven; 3 Boscastle; 4 Tintagel; 5 Polzeath to Port Quin; 6 Trevose to Watergate Bay inc. Bedruthan Steps (not National Trust); 7 Crantock to Holywell Bay; 8 St Agnes & Chapel Porth; 9 Godrevy to Portreath; 10 West Penwith: St Ives to Pendeen; 11 West Penwith: Levant to Penberth; 12 Loe Pool and Mount’s Bay; 13 The Lizard, West Coast: Gunwalloe Church Cove to Kynance; 14 The Lizard: Kynance, Lizard Point & Bass Point; 15 The Lizard, East Coast: Landewednack to St Keverne; 16 The Helford River; 17 Trelissick woodland walk; 18/19 The Roseland & St Anthony Head; 20 Nare Head & the Dodman; 21 Fowey; 22 East Cornwall: Polruan to Whitsand Bay.
Highlights for visitors with disabilities
In Cornwall there are accessible viewpoints at many coastal properties such as Bodigga Cliff near Looe, Nare Head and St Anthony Head. Estate walks at Lanhydrock, alongside the River Fowey, and at Godolphin are suitable for wheelchair users.
In Devon the upgraded path from Salcombe Hill car park gives magnificent views over Sidmouth; Plym Bridge Woods has gates fitted with radar locks and a wheelchair-accessible fishing platform. There is access at Hartland Moor along Hartland Way to an adapted bird hide.
Highlights for families
The Heddon Valley in north Devon is especially recommended for children, with bridges and stepping stones along the river, meadows full of flowers and easy walks which start from the National Trust shop and information centre.
Plym Bridge Woods is excellent for family walks and cycle rides and a good educational site for groups of all ages.
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