Devon

Kipling Tors walk

Oil painting on canvas of Rudyard Kipling — Rudyard Kipling | © National Trust Images / John Hammond

This circular route is next to the sea, with stunning views across Bideford Bay and inland to Exmoor. Rudyard Kipling's novel, Stalky & Co, is based on his schooldays here. Kipling Tors is where Kipling and his friends used to smoke cigars and pipes and read books together.

Near to

Bideford Bay and Hartland

Start point

Car park on Merley Road, grid ref SS423290

Trail information

View route

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Dog friendly**

*Some steep sections, can be muddy in wet weather. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs are welcome under close control. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Address
Kipling Tors, Westward Ho!, North Devon
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Barnstaple, 10 miles (16.1km).
By bus
First North Devon Bus 1, Bideford Quay towards Westward Ho! Alight at Neslon Road and walk west for approximately 5 minutes.
By road
In Westward Ho! continue west along Atlantic Way until reaching Merley Road. Here turn right and continue down Merley Road to the (free) car park, just past The Pier House. Kipling Tors is just behind car park.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Car park on Merley Road, grid ref SS423290
Stage 1
From the car park turn right and walk along a wide and reasonably surfaced path – this was once the site of a railway track that continued along the coast to Abbottsham. After approximately 330yd (300m), turn left and follow the steep path next to the National Trust sign. This hill is the most challenging section of the walk.
Stalky and Co
Kipling Tors were presented to the National Trust in 1938 by the Rudyard Kipling Memorial Fund to commemorate the great writers years at the United Services College in Westward Ho! between 1878 and 1882. Winston Churchill said of Kipling that life in each of the Dominions (India and Britain) had been adorned and interpreted by strokes of his wand. Stalky & Co, a semi-autobiographical novel about his schooldays appeared in 1899. It recounts the adventures of the school friends Stalky, Turk and Beetle who often escaped to these hills to plan their escapades, read books and smoke cigars.
Stage 2
As you reach the top of this path, you'll see an old coastguard lookout. Go inside to be greeted by stunning views and wonderful artwork created by the local Primary School. There's also a Toposcope inside with interesting information for you to read. On leaving the lookout go back down the hill a short distance and take the first path on the right. Please note the path beyond the lookout is private access only.
The old coastguard lookout
Despite being only roughly 100 years old, little is known about this lookout. It was built in the early 20th century after 1904 and probably before the First World War. A solid stone structure built on a stone riveted platform, it was described as a watch hut now administered by the Board of Trade in papers given to the National Trust in 1938. The Board of Trade took over the coastguard role, formerly held by the Admiralty in 1923, and this little structure formed part of the network of small stations along the coast watching over seafarers.
Stage 3
This is a long and fairly level path with great views and a great place to watch sea birds and try and spot porpoises in the bay. At the end of this path turn left and walk downhill for a short distance where you'll see a path on your right. Take this one down through some broadleaved woodland. At the end of this path you'll meet another path, turn left here.
Westward Ho! and Pebble Ridge
Following the huge success of Charles Kingsleys book, Westward Ho!, (published in 1855), a company called the Northam Burrows Hotel and Villa Building Company was formed in 1866 and set out to develop this area as a holiday resort. A large hotel was built, soon followed by a church, lots of villas and a fine golf link over the Burrows. It's the only place in Great Britain with an exclamation mark as part of its name. The Pebble Ridge is a remarkable natural phenomenon and is about 20ft (6m) high, and 50ft (15m) wide, stretching for about two miles.
Stage 4
Where these two paths meet take a sharp left and take the public footpath. You can take the zigzag path through woodland which ends up in the same place.
Stage 5
Keep going along this path until you reach a wooded gate and a path junction, turn right here and follow the path down through the chalets and back to the car park.
End point
Car park on Merley Road, grid ref SS423290
Trail map
Kipling Tors walking trail route | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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